SMSes of Thursday 26 November 2009

* BORN-FREE means being born in an independent Namibia. Everybody who was born on March 21 1990 or after that. This is also the generation that is voting for the first time, as the oldest of them can only be 19.

Food For Thought* IT’S so funny. Grown-ups they think of the past while we children, we think of the future. Why do elders talk and judge each other, and dwell upon the past?- XDElection Fever* UNLESS the ECN has something to hide, let them allow the NSHR to observe the election.* EXCELLENT ECN, for cancelling NSHR as an election observer, it is [allegedly] not impartial, apolitical and fair as it is supposed to be! * ECN – shame on you! Don’t make Phil ya Nangoloh the scapegoat. You only have yourselves to blame for all the things that are wrong.- Waltraut* WHY does The Namibian newspaper not put in pictures of RDP rallies? Last weekend we had rallies in Katutura, Rundu, Eenhana, Katima Mulilo and Walvis Bay and there was a single picture of RDP events. Why?- Kamati- Throughout the election season we have tried to accommodate reports on and photos of a range of political rallies.- News Editor* WORD of advice, don’t put political parties’ flags at your businesses. Not all people belong to that same party.Election officials on duty in 2004* MY two friends did not register at this year’s supplementary registrations, but they do have the voter’s cards from 2004. Can they vote with these cards?- Simon Kooper- Anyone with a valid voter registration card from the last elections is entitled to vote in the Local Authorities, Regional and Presidential/National elections up until 2012. – NewsdeskPolitics* PLEASE Hon President (Hifikepunye) Pohamba and our Government. We are appealing to you to think twice about our pensions.- Old People* POLITICAL parties need to have serious plans in place before I even consider voting for them. We are shareholders in Namibia and I’m not naive enough to vote for people who only promise an end result and not how to get there without plunging our nation into debt.* If Government can afford to give so many double-cab bakkies to traditional leaders, then why not donate combis to previously disadvantaged primary schools. They really need those.* YOU cannot tell me to stop thinking of the past. Because then times were really hard in Namibia. Many Namibians were lost forever for us to be free and have peace and buy a white bread and sleep down town in Windhoek. In leadership of the freedom fighters, we commend Dr tate Sam Nuuyoma. We love you man. * DO these small parties really think they can win an election? Please, for the next election, all smaller parties need to unite to form one party! Think how to save Namibia and not about your status.* SOME opposition parties won’t win the election, but they should aim to be the best opposition parties that they can be. We need strong opposition parties in Parliament.* REV Pieters, I think it’s better to just register your own political party without involving the CCN. I think church should be there to worship the Lord.* MR Beukes, if only your party was not communist, because you are one smart politician.Bouquets And Brickbats* MRS Wilka at Okapana or Total service station in Ondangwa: Thank you your good service and customer care.* I WANT to applaud the City Police for the outstanding performance of their duties. Every morning during rush hour there are always officers directing the flow of traffic. That is what public service means. Well done.* I CONGRATULATE Alfredo Hengari on his memo to the President. It came at the right time. I also hope that Dr (Elijah) Ngurare reads it as well so that he sticks to his Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) and stops poking his nose where it doesn’t belong!- Winnie* NDAPWA Alweendo has made an awesome statement. Loyalty won’t bring development, think about it. I’m a born-free and I’m voting wisely, you all should do the same.* I’VE been trying to read between the lines, scrutinising Ndapwa Alweendo’s article and end up with the undeniable truth. Indeed, only blindly devoted and the greedy who choose their own advancement at the expense of the vulnerable and the poor masses will continue with the current trend of governance.- Nado* BORN-FREE Ndapwa Alweendo – congratulations. You demand answers for many valid questions. Excellent article – you have principles. Stay connected. – Waltraut* ADAM Hartmann must not compare the construction of the air force base near Karibib and the millions spent for this purpose with children who do not have a pair of shoes. This project is in the interest of national defence. It is the responsibility of the parents to provide their children with basic needs. Parents must learn how to provide for their children and not wait for handouts from the government.- A proud soldier* THANK you for still telling it like it is, The Namibian team.- Simbilinganh, KatimaHealth Matters* MINISTER (Richard) Kamwi (of Health and Social Services) are you aware that TB patients even those with MDR are roaming around Katutura hospital selling. Must we all get MDR TB before your managers do something.Labour Issues* NAMDEB terminates all fixed-term contracts during recession. These are new contracts or maybe you are working for subcontractors just to correct you. Namdeb is the only company employing people with Grade 10 or even with IDs only. So please withdraw your words and thanks Namdeb.* GOBABIS labour inspectors please wake up. What is going on is that some people are still slaves in an independent nation. Why don’t the labour inspectors drive out and rescue these people who are working for nothing while the prices of goods and services are increasing. Please see our people and free them from this hardship.* DOES an employer have the right to beat up an employee? In Oranjemund certain people are disciplining their domestic workers by hitting them. Is this not against the law? Somebody help our brothers and sisters.- Corporal (which means relating to the body) punishment is indeed against the law. – Newsdesk* PLEASE we have been working at the Polytechnic of Namibia for more than five years now without any bonus. * MINISTRY of Safety and Security when are the new recruits going for training. It’s now five months since they were invited for interviews.Rights of the Child* HOW about writing about the obligations of children and parental abuse by children. The flip side to a right is an obligation.- MT* UNICEF: Thank you for giving us the Convention on the Rights of the Child. (Youthpaper, p 3 November 24). Please, also give us the responsibilities! Thank you.Education* MEMORISATION is not senseless! Today I can teach others things I memorised under Bantu education! My English is better than that of today’s learners! I studied until it got dark. God bless our nation.In And From The Regions* WHOEVER is responsible for the elephants in our country, please note that our people are in danger of these big animals. Please rescue our family in Onkwishi village Tsandi Constituency, Omusati Region. – S Ekandjo * THE smaller towns in our country are being treated as if they don’t exist yet most of the very high officials come from there.* WHO controls the movement of taxis in Ondangwa town? There are too many illegal ones transporting passengers. These illegal taxis are threatening the lawful taxi business. Mr Kashihakumwa must please act and if not the law must be abolished. – Concerned driver* ONGWEDIVA Roads Authority. Please repair the bridge on the tar road before entering your town. Those ridiculous speed bumps that were put there cause even more congestion in the already overloaded traffic system!!General* ACKERMANS Katutura Shoprite complex branch, why are you cutting up pairs of shoes which you do not want from your store so that people cannot take them from the rubbish drum? Baby shoes, adults’ shoes, it would be great if you could donate it or put them on sale, even for N$5. This would benefit your customers at large. It’s heartless to cut them in pieces and throw them away. Think of orphans please.* WHEN prisoners escape from the Police Station, the Policemen on duty must be charged with negligence.