We do not want training – ‘struggle kids’

SOME ‘children of the liberation struggle’ who are camping just outside Windhoek yesterday said they do not want training, but government jobs because they are growing old.

President Hage Geingob approved the release of N$11,3 million from the Social Security Commission earlier this month for training the ‘struggle kids’ either at Berg Aukas or Farm Du Plessis.

Jerry Hamukwaya, who spoke on behalf of 400 others camped at the Ndilimani plot near the capital, told The Namibian that they do not need training because some of them are already trained.

“We are getting old. Government already failed to put us in formal schools when we returned from exile in 1990, and now they are forcing us to go for training. It is difficult to teach an old person, plus we have families to look after,” he stated.

Hamukwaya said they need government to officially communicate with them about the money so that they can raise their concerns and allow those willing to go for training to go, while those who want jobs could remain.

He also said they were not happy that they had to read about the money in the media.

Another ‘struggle kid’, Samuel Mbango, who is one of 200 who chose training and is currently at Berg Aukas, told yesterday that they were each receiving N$375 per month as allowance.

Mbango, who said he is not happy with their living conditions, asked this reporter to visit them and see how they are being treated. ‘Struggle kids’ camping at Kandjengedi in the North expressed gratitude for the training opportunity offered by government. However, they said that they will only believe it when they see action. “We heard of the millions earmarked for training.But that is not the first promise. We are grateful, but we shall only believe it when we see buses parked here to take us from here,” said group leader Ruben Amadhila.

Amadhila stressed that his group is willing to undergo training wherever government will take them. His sentiments were echoed by fellow member Enos Shipindo, who noted that they will not mirror some fellow ‘struggle kids’ in Windhoek, who refused the proposed training opportunity.

Benita Nakaambo, the chairperson of the Namibia Exile Kids Association, also told on Tuesday that she did not know anything about the money.

Nakaambo serves on the coordinating committee under the Cabinet committee which deals with the plight of the ‘children of the liberation struggle’.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, secretary to Cabinet George Simataa said the money will be used for training, buying uniforms, providing catering services, buying training equipment, providing accommodation and allowances for six months. “All children of the liberation struggle, especially those camping at various places, are urged to take the opportunity and go to Berg Aukas and Farm Du Plessis to undergo training so that they benefit from the assistance by the government to solve their plight,” he advised.

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