SMSes for Mon 23 Mar 09

* THE Deence budget is higher than health? Where is the war?
 
 Food For Thought
 * FINE with the tax relief.

* THE Deence budget is higher than health? Where is the war?

Food For Thought
* FINE with the tax relief. But in a country where prices of many goods and services are unregulated, who will guarantee that citizens are going to enjoy their tax relief leftovers? Greedy businesspeople know there’s now extra money in the pockets and may untouchably cash in by increasing their prices! Who is going to be the watchdog? – James ‘Penda’ Bhulelo

Old Soldiers Speak Out
* I AM a war veteran, 70 years old, born at Omatunda in the North, I have a wife and six kids. I spent 20-odd years in exile (far away from home and my people). I just cannot visualise me going to work on a rice-growing project by the Ministry of Veterans’ Affairs at Katima. This, obviously, will be my post-exile. Above all, at this age, I don’t have much strength left for physical labour any more. Talking of individual projects, illiterate as I am, this may prove futile too. When will I reach the break-even point, realise enough profit and buy a cow that my family badly need?
* WHAT an insult to my humanity! N$30 000 for active contribution to the arduous struggle for the liberation of this country for 30 solid years, which cost me both of my legs! How did you arrive at this amount? You must be quite soul cramped enough, if not insane altogether, to degrade my dignity and heroism this way. You better take your filthy money and add it to your fat perks, Comrade Minister! And then, they can now bury you with ‘honour and dignity’ when you finally go, for having done this to me.
* HOW come the Minister of Veterans’ Affairs wastes money on useless quizzes while we the war veterans remain poor and hungry 19 years after Independence? Pay out our compensation now and stop wasting scarce resources on stupid quizzes.- Fed-up war veteran

Looking Back 19 Years
* CONGRATULATIONS the Guard of Honour, Army, Navy on your marching drill. You really put an effort into it and you just looked perfect. The mighty Air Force please take time and concentrate on the drill. We know it’s not the whole Air Force doing flying, so don’t claim not having time. Let men on the ground practice and do things perfectly. Happy birthday Namibia!
* TODAY 19 years of Independence. We Daan Viljoen people, are we also included in this celebration day or not? I am asking (President) Hifikepunye Pohamba if he has ever heard that there are some human beings living 25 km from Windhoek?

An Odd Choice
* IT was an utter disgrace to see and hear on national radio and television Mr Sackey Namugongo being an announcer on the occasion of Independence Day. Mr Namugongo is on trial for corruption. The evidence appears to be compelling that he may be convicted. Against the backdrop of this overwhelming evidence against him, it’s incredible for the NBC to use a totally discredited Mr Namugongo to be the face of the public broadcaster on the most sacred day of our national calendar. I am flabbergasted and revolted.
* NOTHING is more repugnant, more hypocritical and more insulting to memories of those who sacrificed for our freedom than to see Sackey Namugongo as chief announcer for the 19th Independence anniversary. It is both highly irresponsible and callous for either the NBC or Swapo to parade a man on trial for corruption. I am deeply offended.
* NBC, what has Sackey Namugongo got that other Namibians do not have? He is a trial-awaiting suspect. Speak of insensitivity to law-abiding citizens.
* HOW sarcastic to have listened to Mr Sackey Namugongo, with many corruption charges on his shoulders, interviewing Mr Noa, ACC Director, at the Keetmanshoop Independence celebrations. Is he, by the way, the only one who can commentate at national events?
* IF we use people suspected of criminal and corrupt activities during our Independence celebrations what message are we sending to our future generations or are we admitting that we don’t have competent announcers or people we trust to run the Swapo celebrations?

Tax Talk
* I’M no mathematician, but N$33 million for Mr Nujoma? How can our ‘father’ accept it while his children are suffering? Close Nampa down, outsource Air Nam and NBC. NamWater, NamPower and New Era should have been self-supporting by now. N$7 million for soccer, what about other sport codes? – Cleo vd Bucht
* WHY keep pumping money into Air Namibia – a disaster waiting to happen! Rather use the N$100 million to help flood victims and education!
* NATIONAL airline vs new jet. If our top brass travelled Air Nam the N$600 million would be well spent. – Quinton

Open Line
* Those who cry foul that the NBC has violated and taken away their rights for having cut the morning chat show is a big lie. Their rights are still fully there. Nowhere does the Constitution provide that the NBC should have chat shows or be the only platform for people to express their views. Therefore, please stop misleading others.
* YES, they are saying it is not proper for Swapo to talk about the liberation struggle. How come a certain caller on NBC ‘Open Line’ claimed to be a freedom fighter opted to define development in his own words, totally denied any presence of development going on in Namibia and asked whether the moderator was refugee. What a mockery? Is this how we want to rule Namibia? We should learn to appreciate, give credit where it’s due and control our frustrations. I am happy to see and touch what the GRN has done so far. – Mwetulundila

Politics
* THE National Assembly is a symbol of the nation and we should show respect when we are around or inside. Why are a certain Minister and a Deputy Minister not taking off their hats when entering or when the house is in session?
* PEOPLE listen to some politicians because of the power those politicians hold, not because they make sense.
* PEOPLE of the South do not be blinded and confused by Independence celebrations and speeches. After all it’s election time again. Think about what difference Independence made in your life and remember that when casting your votes come November. – A proud southerner

Politics In General
* SADC is a joke: Mugabe loses and rigs an election, and his securocrats pre-emptively declare they would not salute Tsvangirai if he won, SADC applies quiet diplomacy and props up Zanu-PF. Now Rajoelina takes power in Madagascar, they are shouting from every orifice to have the country expelled from SADC. Why did SADC also accept Joseph Kabila when he was appointed by the army? SADC sucks. – Afrikan comradie

Bouquets And Brickbats
* COMRADE CEO, the independence celebration at Omaruru was for the first time since Independence well organised. Thanks, we are happy with your performance.* I’VE become addicted to Alex Kaure’s column. While cool and laid-back, it is also intelligent and independent. A major asset to The Namibian!
* NBC Good Morning Namibia show, bring in various newspapers, and please watch Botswana television to watch their breakfast show, so as to learn more from them.

Office Space
* WHY a N$34 million office for (former President Sam) Nujoma. He doesn’t need an office. If he wants an office he must build it with his own money. We as taxpayers can’t pay for two presidents. Please President Pohamba stop this.

General
* FOR a long time now, e-mail systems are flooded with religious and the odd pyramid money-making scams. Almost all come with an instruction to immediately forward to many others or else bad things will happen to you. These e-mails confuse the feeble and weak minded and cause emotional damage, let alone work time lost. As a Catholic I am of the conviction that God does not operate via e-mails. Please stop this nonsense. Employers, discipline the offenders.
* WHY can’t young Namibian citizens who were born outside Namibia apply for IDs without having a birth certificate?
* AIR Namibia is essential for our tourism industry, especially in a time of recession. If the European route was profitable other airlines would not have given up the route. It is a fact that the airline could be better managed but even that would not get the airline to be profitable. Air Namibia provides an infrastructure that everyone should thank our government for! Engine failures can happen to any airline and it was handled without endangering any of the passengers. Please stop badmouthing Air Namibia without doing proper research. And: please find out what is really happening in Botswana…
* THE parent with a dyslexic child can call me on 081 279 1725 and I can give advice.
* WE have to be careful about attributing people’s lack of interest in voting to voter apathy. They may simply be abstaining just like board members and parliamentarians do. They do this when they are indecisive, reluctant to be seen supporting one side, lack interest, etc. Don’t be surprised if the phenomenon is the same even among voters!
* TITLES that never really exist. Excellency and Honourable are the titles given to high position personnel in Namibia but nowhere else in the world. What we call our leaders is wrong and only destroying democracy in Namibia. There is no excellent human being at work, in their duties, performance or behaviours. Continuing calling them this will only make them big headed and let them feel untouchable. Sir, Madam or President should be enough. – Tate Dumbo

In And From the Regions
* KAMHOLO family. The appropriate solution is to move this family to the local institution Anamulenge missionary. The councillor and governor can negotiate a subsidy.
* WILD animals are impoverishing communal farmers in Caprivi. It is high time that the Government recognises the efforts of farmers towards self-sustenance. Farmers are adversely affected by wild animals that damage their crops annually. While the Government is promoting the fact that humans should live interdependent with wild animals. From the look of things, it will be impossible to attain vision 2030. If people have to survive on handouts and food aid due to wild animals. It is understood that, the Government is reaping some benefits from these animals through tourism. But if you move around the areas where these animals are causing havoc and hunger, you will only see people starving and suffering. Considering the fact that food is the basic commodity needed for a health living, the Government must reduce the population of elephants. We are fed up and the GRN fails to create jobs.
* ONGWEDIVA Town Council you are overcharging us with your rates. You are overpricing your services while these are deteriorating day by day.