* AS everyone is lightning fast to increase prices when fuel prices go up, will the same happen now when the price of petrol and diesel goes down? Let us be fair to consumers and pass this reduction to them.
Food For Thought * THE ‘rock’ is disintegrating, Swapo is dissolving itself, slowly but surely. The trust amongst formerly good comrades is fading. Currently, no one amongst the comrades can even trusts their own shadows. They’re spying on one another instead of consulting with one another. Well, the results of the 2004 cracks are now obvious, even to children. Dictatorship and the absence of real democracy is a problem. The SPYL recommended guided democracy, the nation wants real democracy.A-loota Continua?* A SWAPO Party-led Cabinet has done it again. It secretly approved and allocated N$38 million extra payouts for 200 Members of Parliament who worked between 1990-1994 (The Namibian). A regime of that era which should have been hauled under ACC investigation for suspected squandering public resources continues to self-enrich! The 7 Namibia Liquid Fuel (NLF) individual shareholders gave themselves payouts of N$36 million in dividends when the multi-billion-dollar oil contract of State-owned Namcor ended. Naeman Amalwa – N$8 mil, Ndeutala Angolo – N$6 mil, Leevi Hungamo – N$3 mil, James Hatuikulipi – N$6 mil, Sacky Shangala – N$1 mil and Ranga Haikali – N$10,5 million (Insight, August 2008). While the fuel and food prices are painfully increasing, the looting continues! Are there no resources for the poor? It is time for a regime change. If Zimbabweans have done it, why not Namibians?* N$38 million secret plan [to top up the pension payouts of some MPs]! Is this self-enrichment or what? I am really not surprised but just disappointed. Same secrets surround the actual budget for State House and others. Civil servants’ salaries are not discussed despite the current hike in prices, but yet our MPs are looking at additional pensions! What is it that these guys do anyway, their staff do all the work!* I AM shocked to read about the N$38 million to be paid out to some former MPs while we are suffering here at National Youth Service for seven years without employment! Why can that money not be paid to one ministry that can employ us! – NYS traineeSwapo* TO Mr [Hifikepunye] Pohamba, President of the Republic of Namibia, your authority and prerogative granted by the Constitution of the Republic of Namibia is under threat and challenged by the same people who nominated you through Swapo Party structures to become Namibian President. You can appoint any person in any political post at Government level without consulting anybody. Former President [Sam Nujoma] was appointing people the same way and we did not hear people making a noise in Swapo party, including former Prime Minister Hage Geingob.* THE onslaught on the darling President [Hifikepunye Pohamba] of the Namibian Nation is because of his outspoken zero tolerance on corruption and his demand to know where the stolen millions of taxpayers’ money has gone! The story of his so-called non-consultation is just a smokescreen to hide the truth and to confuse the nation!* IF our President is not allowed to make his own decisions as Head of State without consulting his Swapo political mentors, then one can doubt his ability to overcome his defects in the political environment in which he operates. If we contextualise such a situation into African political environment, it makes the Head of State prone to coup d’etats.* THE mighty Swapo, should you want to lose my vote, just continue putting Hon Dr Hage Geingob up for the presidency as you are already planning to do. We need people who are responsible, Hage must first settle his municipal account before he contests for the presidency.* SWAPO stop firing the comrades. You can’t finish them, you shall finish the party because the comrades are on home ground.* ALLOW me a space to ‘tell like it is’. I have learned that the SPYL wants all the senior employees in Government and parastatals to be screened by Swapo. Fellow Namibians, what do these young politicians want to promote? Meaning if one does not possess a Swapo membership card he does not qualify to be a senior officer? I want SPYL to withdraw that idea because it has no grounds in a democratic state. I also want God to send them a spirit of maturity. – Varry J* SWAPO paranoia is the biggest threat to the party’s success in future. Free thinkers and driving forces will either shut up out of fear of victimisation or leave the party. People who are not yet members of a political party will think twice before applying for membership. This will strengthen the opposition.* BE honest, politicians! We all are enslaved by law in order to be free. We and our sons and daughters are still suffering day and night because of you who tell us lies. When you feel pain don’t look to others for sympathy. Our traditional norms are stronger than the law of Europe. Today you have an unfulfilled vision and tomorrow you have another one. Until when will you lie to us? Don’t make us your tools anymore! – Denscher, OutapiWe The People* THE Chinese population in Namibia should be limited and their activities be regulated and monitored by Government. What leaders we have who care more about the interest of foreigners than that of the citizens? Are they maybe enriching themselves in so doing? Tell me Namibia, does ACC apply to foreigners also? Is there no legislation in place for foreigners to abide by? There is much to be desired, in terms of transparency in policy pertaining to foreigners within this republic! Terms and conditions of investment, banking, employment, acquisition of land and citizenship, among others. Every citizen should be made to know what foreigners are and not entitled to in Namibia. Corrupt agreements have to be rooted out by all means. Greedy leaders are hampering economic emancipation in the land and turning Namibia into control-free zone anyone could take advantage of. We demand that the Head of State arrange a national address on the matter.* ACC please come to Luederitz we see GRN cars at shebeens and non-GRN people in GRN cars.* MR [Paulus] Noa will you please monitor the food handouts carefully, otherwise some greedy civil servants will just see it as another way to rob the taxpayers again! – Sophia* ANTI-Corruption Commission, please probe office sale deals between Vaalgras Traditional Authority and Karas Regional Council. Thanks.* PLEASE Mr Noa [ACC] come and investigate Natis in Ongwediva. Learners’ and drivers’ licences are for sale there.General* IT’S disappointing to learn that the Masubia have resolved to build a Khuta in Chief Mamili’s area of jurisdiction. How long will the Mafwe pay for the sins committed by [exiled Caprivian secessionist leader Mishake] Muyongo before the founding father of Namibia? The most loved and favoured tribe of Government has tried by all means to distort the history of the Caprivi. When did the Masubia Khuta move to Bukalo?* WHERE is the N$39 million that was generated by the conservancies? Can we break down the amount for us to see which conservancy generated what amount? We at our conservancy have nothing apart from many workshops, workshops.* WHY are the sports shops not selling T-shirts for the Brave Warriors or NPL teams? Why are they not manufacturing sport shirts for Civics or Oshakati City? Perhaps this is the reason why NPL teams and the Brave Warriors are not receiving full support from the nation. – Yatileni* WHERE can a person report when shops did not lower their prices of the VAT-free products? Please inform the public, via the media, where to report. Thanks.In And From the Regions* WHEN is the Government going to build old-age homes in the North? Our grannies need to be considered too. They are suffering.* A HUMBLE request to Government that we in the South, specifically Keetmanshoop, also need our own homegrown teachers, technicians, bricklayers, carpenters etc. We also need education colleges and a VTC like all the other regions. As a matter of fact Karas is the biggest region yet none of these
facilities is here. Please remember us, help our youth. Thank you in advance. – LLCW* NO speed bumps are needed on the main street or at the curve around Onavivi Bar at Outapi. Road signs cautioning drivers are already there. The curve is not dangerous, we drivers are. It is us the drivers who should adhere to the rules and regulations of the road and drive accordingly. Period.* THERE are more motor vehicles in Luederitz than at Keetmanshoop, but we here in Luederitz have only two filling stations that close at 19h00. Can someone explain why? – Jomo van der Bucht* IT looks like the Ovambanderu faction supporting Honourable Kilus [Nguvauva] behave exactly like Zanu-PF and Mr [Robert] Mugabe in Zimbabwe, trying to impose themselves on the people* HOW credible is the registration for pension payouts to ex-Koevoet announced over NBC Kavango Service?* SOMEONE has to do something, because the whole area in front of the soccer stadium in Luederitz is very, very dirty. Those who are responsible for cleaning can maybe explain why? – KamatiBouquets and Brickbats* THANK you and keep up the good work, may God bless you.* THANK you The Namibian newspaper for providing us good SMSes.Well done.* I APPLAUD the conception of the SMS forum for the public to air their views but don’t you think it become a catalyst for unwanted tensions when hate speech and insults become the norm? Freedom of speech is all well but as a means to what end? By the way Ms Editor please do a piece on the Doha rounds and their impact on African economies and Africa’s collective bargaining power. – EH-12Transport* NABTA, why must we wait until Khomasdal clients have been transported. We pay the same amount as those residing in Khomasdal and Dorado [Park]. Nabta control your so-called members. We can wait if we pay N$5, if not it must be first come, first served. And please no free-market system, remember I’m one of the masses.* TO the lady who was robbed by a taxi driver of N$100. Why did she not take the registration number of the taxi?* BUS drivers must please refrain from stopping in front of the main gates of houses in Cimbebasia. It is rude and you are blocking traffic!Education* SORRY I really don’t have a complaint, just a request. Can the Ministry of Education when releasing the Grade 12 results add a column for the points each candidate receives because most learners have difficulty calculating the amount of points we receive. – An avid learner The SMS page is not only for complaints. Suggestions, comments, opinions and clarifications are welcome. It is a quick and short way of entering the national debate on issues. – Newsdesk* I’M a Grade 10 learner, I appeal to the President please we want Mr (Former Education Minister John) Mutorwa back as a Minister of Education before it’s too late. It’s a humble request.Labour Issues* WHY are NamPol positions are only filled from one group! Why not 60 – 40 per cent? Please reply.Health Matters* WHY should nurses study further if a postgraduate degree brings only a N$5 000 cash bonus? Don’t waste time studying, you wont change your salary scale! – Iishuna * BEST mechanism to fight AIDS. The Public Service couples should work in one town or common duty station. For the private sector, arrangements can be made as to which couple must relocate. The current situation can be termed as weekend marriages which lead to extramarital love affairs and increases the spread of HIV-AIDS. If the GRN means business about the fight, then, this is it. – Fani Halifeli* THE ‘rock’ is disintegrating, Swapo is dissolving itself, slowly but surely. The trust amongst formerly good comrades is fading. Currently, no one amongst the comrades can even trusts their own shadows. They’re spying on one another instead of consulting with one another. Well, the results of the 2004 cracks are now obvious, even to children. Dictatorship and the absence of real democracy is a problem. The SPYL recommended guided democracy, the nation wants real democracy.A-loota Continua? * A SWAPO Party-led Cabinet has done it again. It secretly approved and allocated N$38 million extra payouts for 200 Members of Parliament who worked between 1990-1994 (The Namibian). A regime of that era which should have been hauled under ACC investigation for suspected squandering public resources continues to self-enrich! The 7 Namibia Liquid Fuel (NLF) individual shareholders gave themselves payouts of N$36 million in dividends when the multi-billion-dollar oil contract of State-owned Namcor ended. Naeman Amalwa – N$8 mil, Ndeutala Angolo – N$6 mil, Leevi Hungamo – N$3 mil, James Hatuikulipi – N$6 mil, Sacky Shangala – N$1 mil and Ranga Haikali – N$10,5 million (Insight, August 2008). While the fuel and food prices are painfully increasing, the looting continues! Are there no resources for the poor? It is time for a regime change. If Zimbabweans have done it, why not Namibians? * N$38 million secret plan [to top up the pension payouts of some MPs]! Is this self-enrichment or what? I am really not surprised but just disappointed. Same secrets surround the actual budget for State House and others. Civil servants’ salaries are not discussed despite the current hike in prices, but yet our MPs are looking at additional pensions! What is it that these guys do anyway, their staff do all the work! * I AM shocked to read about the N$38 million to be paid out to some former MPs while we are suffering here at National Youth Service for seven years without employment! Why can that money not be paid to one ministry that can employ us! – NYS trainee Swapo * TO Mr [Hifikepunye] Pohamba, President of the Republic of Namibia, your authority and prerogative granted by the Constitution of the Republic of Namibia is under threat and challenged by the same people who nominated you through Swapo Party structures to become Namibian President. You can appoint any person in any political post at Government level without consulting anybody. Former President [Sam Nujoma] was appointing people the same way and we did not hear people making a noise in Swapo party, including former Prime Minister Hage Geingob.* THE onslaught on the darling President [Hifikepunye Pohamba] of the Namibian Nation is because of his outspoken zero tolerance on corruption and his demand to know where the stolen millions of taxpayers’ money has gone! The story of his so-called non-consultation is just a smokescreen to hide the truth and to confuse the nation! * IF our President is not allowed to make his own decisions as Head of State without consulting his Swapo political mentors, then one can doubt his ability to overcome his defects in the political environment in which he operates. If we contextualise such a situation into African political environment, it makes the Head of State prone to coup d’etats.* THE mighty Swapo, should you want to lose my vote, just continue putting Hon Dr Hage Geingob up for the presidency as you are already planning to do. We need people who are responsible, Hage must first settle his municipal account before he contests for the presidency.* SWAPO stop firing the comrades. You can’t finish them, you shall finish the party because the comrades are on home ground.* ALLOW me a space to ‘tell like it is’. I have learned that the SPYL wants all the senior employees in Government and parastatals to be screened by Swapo. Fellow Namibians, what do these young politicians want to promote? Meaning if one does not possess a Swapo membership card he does not qualify to be a senior officer? I want SPYL to withdraw that idea because it has no grounds in a democratic state. I also want God to send them a spirit of maturity. – Varry J * SWAPO paranoia is the biggest threat to the party’s success in future. Free thinkers and driving forces will either shut up out of fear of victimisation or leave the party. People who are not yet members of a political party will think twice before applying for membership. This will strengthen the opposition. * BE honest, politicians! We all are enslaved by law in order to be free. We and our sons and daughters are still suffering day and night because of you who tell us lies. When you feel pain d
on’t look to others for sympathy. Our traditional norms are stronger than the law of Europe. Today you have an unfulfilled vision and tomorrow you have another one. Until when will you lie to us? Don’t make us your tools anymore! – Denscher, Outapi We The People * THE Chinese population in Namibia should be limited and their activities be regulated and monitored by Government. What leaders we have who care more about the interest of foreigners than that of the citizens? Are they maybe enriching themselves in so doing? Tell me Namibia, does ACC apply to foreigners also? Is there no legislation in place for foreigners to abide by? There is much to be desired, in terms of transparency in policy pertaining to foreigners within this republic! Terms and conditions of investment, banking, employment, acquisition of land and citizenship, among others. Every citizen should be made to know what foreigners are and not entitled to in Namibia. Corrupt agreements have to be rooted out by all means. Greedy leaders are hampering economic emancipation in the land and turning Namibia into control-free zone anyone could take advantage of. We demand that the Head of State arrange a national address on the matter.* ACC please come to Luederitz we see GRN cars at shebeens and non-GRN people in GRN cars. * MR [Paulus] Noa will you please monitor the food handouts carefully, otherwise some greedy civil servants will just see it as another way to rob the taxpayers again! – Sophia * ANTI-Corruption Commission, please probe office sale deals between Vaalgras Traditional Authority and Karas Regional Council. Thanks.* PLEASE Mr Noa [ACC] come and investigate Natis in Ongwediva. Learners’ and drivers’ licences are for sale there.General * IT’S disappointing to learn that the Masubia have resolved to build a Khuta in Chief Mamili’s area of jurisdiction. How long will the Mafwe pay for the sins committed by [exiled Caprivian secessionist leader Mishake] Muyongo before the founding father of Namibia? The most loved and favoured tribe of Government has tried by all means to distort the history of the Caprivi. When did the Masubia Khuta move to Bukalo? * WHERE is the N$39 million that was generated by the conservancies? Can we break down the amount for us to see which conservancy generated what amount? We at our conservancy have nothing apart from many workshops, workshops.* WHY are the sports shops not selling T-shirts for the Brave Warriors or NPL teams? Why are they not manufacturing sport shirts for Civics or Oshakati City? Perhaps this is the reason why NPL teams and the Brave Warriors are not receiving full support from the nation. – Yatileni * WHERE can a person report when shops did not lower their prices of the VAT-free products? Please inform the public, via the media, where to report. Thanks.In And From the Regions * WHEN is the Government going to build old-age homes in the North? Our grannies need to be considered too. They are suffering.* A HUMBLE request to Government that we in the South, specifically Keetmanshoop, also need our own homegrown teachers, technicians, bricklayers, carpenters etc. We also need education colleges and a VTC like all the other regions. As a matter of fact Karas is the biggest region yet none of these facilities is here. Please remember us, help our youth. Thank you in advance. – LLCW * NO speed bumps are needed on the main street or at the curve around Onavivi Bar at Outapi. Road signs cautioning drivers are already there. The curve is not dangerous, we drivers are. It is us the drivers who should adhere to the rules and regulations of the road and drive accordingly. Period.* THERE are more motor vehicles in Luederitz than at Keetmanshoop, but we here in Luederitz have only two filling stations that close at 19h00. Can someone explain why? – Jomo van der Bucht * IT looks like the Ovambanderu faction supporting Honourable Kilus [Nguvauva] behave exactly like Zanu-PF and Mr [Robert] Mugabe in Zimbabwe, trying to impose themselves on the people * HOW credible is the registration for pension payouts to ex-Koevoet announced over NBC Kavango Service? * SOMEONE has to do something, because the whole area in front of the soccer stadium in Luederitz is very, very dirty. Those who are responsible for cleaning can maybe explain why? – Kamati Bouquets and Brickbats * THANK you and keep up the good work, may God bless you. * THANK you The Namibian newspaper for providing us good SMSes.Well done.* I APPLAUD the conception of the SMS forum for the public to air their views but don’t you think it become a catalyst for unwanted tensions when hate speech and insults become the norm? Freedom of speech is all well but as a means to what end? By the way Ms Editor please do a piece on the Doha rounds and their impact on African economies and Africa’s collective bargaining power. – EH-12 Transport * NABTA, why must we wait until Khomasdal clients have been transported. We pay the same amount as those residing in Khomasdal and Dorado [Park]. Nabta control your so-called members. We can wait if we pay N$5, if not it must be first come, first served. And please no free-market system, remember I’m one of the masses. * TO the lady who was robbed by a taxi driver of N$100. Why did she not take the registration number of the taxi? * BUS drivers must please refrain from stopping in front of the main gates of houses in Cimbebasia. It is rude and you are blocking traffic! Education * SORRY I really don’t have a complaint, just a request. Can the Ministry of Education when releasing the Grade 12 results add a column for the points each candidate receives because most learners have difficulty calculating the amount of points we receive. – An avid learner The SMS page is not only for complaints. Suggestions, comments, opinions and clarifications are welcome. It is a quick and short way of entering the national debate on issues. – Newsdesk * I’M a Grade 10 learner, I appeal to the President please we want Mr (Former Education Minister John) Mutorwa back as a Minister of Education before it’s too late. It’s a humble request.Labour Issues * WHY are NamPol positions are only filled from one group! Why not 60 – 40 per cent? Please reply.Health Matters * WHY should nurses study further if a postgraduate degree brings only a N$5 000 cash bonus? Don’t waste time studying, you wont change your salary scale! – Iishuna * BEST mechanism to fight AIDS. The Public Service couples should work in one town or common duty station. For the private sector, arrangements can be made as to which couple must relocate. The current situation can be termed as weekend marriages which lead to extramarital love affairs and increases the spread of HIV-AIDS. If the GRN means business about the fight, then, this is it. – Fani Halifeli
