SMSes for Thursday 09 August 2012

SMS Of The Day
*FOR the past 15 years, I have been working as a casual under unfair labour practices. Our numbers have been swelling on a monthly basis. Suddenly, just when the Government decide to get rid of this discriminatory and unfair labour practices, employers threaten mass dismissals. My question is: who is going to do the jobs done by these casuals for more than 15 years if you dismiss us or what will happen to those jobs? Will it be the employers themselves? The threat is really incomprehensible and unnecessary.
– Setho Uwanga

Food for Thought*HOW can a Minister in the Swapo government say that human rights do not feed people, but food does! What was the struggle all about? Investment for self enrichment?*THE Parliamentarians visiting the North under the chairmanship of Paulus Kapia were posing their questions at the wrong people (clerks). Who is supposed to employ more clerks? Is it not the Minister of Home Affairs? Why were the innocent workers critised? Mr Kapia and your entourage please approach Mrs Nghidinwa. She is responsible for the mess!- Mekupi at Oshakati*THE Ministry of Agriculture must consider establishing a cattle breeding station here in Caprivi for other cattle breeds such as Brahman and Bonsmara. The only cattle breed we know here is the Sanga. We also need to improve our breed by cross breeding. The nearest area where we can get other breeds is in Grootfontein which is 1 000 kilometres away. Only the rich can afford to buy cattle there. The transport costs are more than the cost of the cattle.*ON one page, there is an article on how Standard Chartered deceived regulators in the USA. On the exact opposite page, there is an article by a Deloitte Partner in Risk Advisory putting Deloitte in a very good light and encouraging good corporate governance. Deloitte helped Standard Chartered to hide its transactions from the regulator, it is reported elsewhere! The regulation of auditors is obviously dubious. In Namibia, we know that the regulator (PAAB) was not functional for over five years until recently. I hope the public and our financial regulators understand the risk when relying on auditor presentations.Bouquets and Brickbats*THANKS (Catherine) Sasman on keeping GIPF saga alive. We want answers. We cannot support a non-transparent government going forward.Atrocities*IT is very sad that Swapo can’t find a solution to atrocities they committed in exile. The founding President and current Prime Minister can come up with a solution to bring closure to this ugly past. When someone accepts responsibility over crimes committed, the victim can easily heal from the wounds. As long as they keep the issue under wraps, it will keep recurring and will have very bad consequences on the party leadership in the future.Politics in General*VISION 2030? You have people eating all the time at the dumpsite, but you are decorating the country expensively. Then you tell me you are a visionary leader. How?*IS the Government really for the people and people for the Government. Yes, that can be said about inclusive governments. The Namibian Government is definitely an exclusive one.Law and Order*IS there anybody who is ever calling on young ladies to refrain from creating ‘love triangles’ which contribute to the prevailing killings. Flirting on your cellphone with somebody else whilst in a relationship is wrong. Even so, killing is NOT the solution though.Labour Hire*LABOUR hire companies claim that the cabinet decision on labour hire companies is unfair and will leave thousands jobless. Yet they assign the same worker for a period of three years to one printing company. Is that not exploitation? Who benefits from that transaction. Definitely not the worker. Why can’t the printing company appoint the worker permanently. They cannot claim that the worker who is working for them for three consecutive years is a casual worker. Casual workers are exploited because there is no provision for social security, medical aid or the right to belong to any representative union of their choice. Companies will now be forced to permanently appoint their workers. A move that will be beneficial to both parties.*I am one of the people who were working for a labour hire company, but I support the new Labour Act 100 per cent. Death and poverty are the same. Viva Minister of Labour. *BYE-BYE labour hire. We are tired to work like slaves. Especially at Pick ‘n Pay, Shoprite etc. How can you have someone as a casual for four, eight or 10 years?In and From the Regions*THE NDF members in Karasburg have become an embarrassment and a nuisance. They abuse schoolgirls and assault their parents when reprimanded. Karasburg residents don’t let them rent rooms in your backyard else your house will become a brothel like the house at the railway bridge. Eish! The colonial army of the boertjies had better discipline.*COME on Karibib Municipality and Navachab mine, combine and start caring for your employees and their families and do something about the disgusting vehicle-damaging Berg Street that goes over the mountain. It’s not even pram- or bicycle- or senior-citizen-walking-their-dogs- friendly. We are beyond desperate.*HOW shamelessly can the Walvis Bay Principal Medical Officer and the matron chase a nurse out of Nurses’ Home, and further, stand and wait for her to pack her things up? Is that really humane and where is their professionalism? Shame on them I really can’t believe it. Is Nurses’ Home not for nurses? Instead they accommodate people who they favour. They are discriminatory. This is an independent Namibia.*THE road between Oshigambo and Eenhana is a disaster to car owners and needs serious attention. Why can’t the Government help us and tar this road?*THE road between Omaruru and Omatjete is a mess for cars owner, please GRN do something there.Health Issues*IS Onandjokwe Hospital a Namibian hospital? Or is it foreign owned? I ask because we don’t see a minister or permanent secretary visiting us. If it is part of the Government, please come to Onandjokwe and have a meeting with only the Namibian citizens. You owe it to us. We are the voters keeping you in power. We are suffering here.Education*AS a Polytechnic student I really appreciate the efforts made by the Ministry of Education to settle our tuition fees on time. As loan holders we should get our refunds early to settle our rent accounts but until now we didn’t get our refunds. We suspect the money is invested somewhere for the institution’s benefit. Even if they refund we don’t get the whole amount. Apparently some money is taken back to the ministry.*OMUSATI’S directorate of education, what is going on in Etayi and Elimi about examinations? Learners of grades eight to ten wrote two subjects on August 7: English paper 1 and 2 plus History. To make the matter worse there was duplication of question papers. Learners had to redo exams and wait up to 13h00. Some schools have no electricity but learners had to write exams up to 18h30 (in darkness). How can they prepare for the next subject? Director do something.City Fathers*THE ‘street garage’ in Otto Schimming Street in Katutura Central is a real concern, a health hazard, a traffic problem and an accident spot. The councillors are turning a blind eye to this and one of these days, the entire street will be blocked due to the operations taking place there. What happened to the industrial sites and rights? Polusion at the highest level. Should others follow the same route and even block Independence Avenue?- Worried Resident Lady May returns*I am disappointed. Lady May’s arrival was not announced. I wanted to go to the airport to welcome our hero.*CONGRATULATIONS Lady May for being a worthy Namibian contestant. Proud of you.You stood your ground with grace.Lost and Found*ANYONE in Keetmanshoop who has found a brown leather wallet, with the ID, bank card and important receipts of Simon SF Fleermuys, please contact me at 0816894005*I, Uupindi Naftal, lost my ID, social security card and Edgars card in Windhoek. If found please call/sms 0813973430Responses to recent SMSes*Dear Tutor, we take cognizance of your unknown concerns and we can only respond satisfactorily if we know exactly what your problems are. We have an open door policy, and avail channels through which you can table your grievances such as the Heads of Centres and Area Coordinators. The wellbeing of our part-time staff and learners is a priority, and therefore we would like you to get into contact with us so that we can set up a meeting to address the issues.Rholene J BokManager: Marketing & SalesNamibian College of Open Learning

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.

The Namibian uses AI tools to assist with improved quality, accuracy and efficiency, while maintaining editorial oversight and journalistic integrity.