We Want Service, Not Style

An open letter to the MD of Telecom Namibia, Frans Ndoroma Dear Telecom Management During December, the telephone lines in our vicinity were off twice for long periods.

Today, at the start of a new business year, the line is quiet once again. We are told that the copper lines are being stolen faster than they can be replaced.This is just not good enough.Telecom has paid millions for a new stylish image and has restructured its staff (read: retrenched).There are many chiefs and too few Indians.The staff structure is top heavy.Why? What we need is technicians.We need security staff to apprehend the culprits: from the thieves right through to the main dealers who are enriching themselves at the expense of other Namibians.President Hifikepunye Pohamba wants honesty in our country, and so do we! Telecom should have “tidied up the mess that’s inside” instead of concentrating on what they look like from the outside.Telecom’s image ad in the new directory states …”our change of image is merely an outward reflection of our renewed commitment to deliver world-class communication solutions – a change to keep all Namibians in touch with each other and up to speed with the ever-changing world around us.”Snort.So much for communication.Most of December our lines were down.BTW: Try finding an e-mail address for Telecom’s management in the directory.It’s not even listed.So much for keeping in touch with the people who promise to keep us in touch.We want service, not style! Fed-up Farmers Via e-mailWe are told that the copper lines are being stolen faster than they can be replaced.This is just not good enough.Telecom has paid millions for a new stylish image and has restructured its staff (read: retrenched).There are many chiefs and too few Indians.The staff structure is top heavy.Why? What we need is technicians.We need security staff to apprehend the culprits: from the thieves right through to the main dealers who are enriching themselves at the expense of other Namibians.President Hifikepunye Pohamba wants honesty in our country, and so do we! Telecom should have “tidied up the mess that’s inside” instead of concentrating on what they look like from the outside.Telecom’s image ad in the new directory states …”our change of image is merely an outward reflection of our renewed commitment to deliver world-class communication solutions – a change to keep all Namibians in touch with each other and up to speed with the ever-changing world around us.”Snort.So much for communication.Most of December our lines were down.BTW: Try finding an e-mail address for Telecom’s management in the directory.It’s not even listed.So much for keeping in touch with the people who promise to keep us in touch.We want service, not style! Fed-up Farmers Via e-mail