What About Those Who Need More?

RE: The Namibian, December 23, 2008.

Of course everyone in our country feels the pinch, and everyone could do with more. Yes, even the ‘political office bearers’. Our President, surprisingly of his own initiative (when did this happen before?) gave them a 24 per cent raise. Was this a clever move?
We are not condemning his good heart or his feelings for those around him, but let us ask him directly: are there not many others who are far more in need than those who have more than most and were given plenty again? What about the fate of the poor people of the Havana Extension 6 who were given ‘notice’ to get lost within 48 hours? Windhoek Town Council doesn’t have the money to service this area, so they got the boot! Why? Is it not because government is unable to settle its debt? How many millions are still ‘outstanding’ for years now?
Let us ask him this too: how many millions did parliamentarians receive as ‘kick-backs’ recently, even those dead and forgotten? Our papers spoke about 38 million dollars. Now this new present to your chums. Mr President, is it wise what you are doing facing an election year?
There are many who feel the pinch more intensively than our office bearers. There are many people who deserve to be looked after more than some of those who are useless. How about the old people? Are they living in comfort? What about the poor everywhere in our country like those spoken about in the regional poverty profiles which were so quickly suppressed in Parliament?
No Sir, Mr President, you decision was not a wise one. Neither was it a clever one. You are now seen as feathering your own nest and replenishing the too-costly gravy train in times too lean. You are seen as a President who has forgotten about the real needy people depending on you. It is really not what we expected from you and we really hope you have broadened your view and deepened your ethics when you return from the holidays.

P R Hager
Henties Bay