Youth told to stop abusing alcohol

Kavango East Swapo information officer Bonifasius Kudumo is calling on the youth in the region to refrain from abusing alcohol.

He says they should rather focus on being responsible citizens and help their parents during the holidays.

“Young people in the region should go to the villages to assist elders. They should refrain from alcoholic beverages and focus on things that would make them responsible citizens,’’ Kudumo says.

He also encourages people in the region to plough their fields to secure food security while rains are received in some areas.

He urges the police to carry out night patrols as the region has been experiencing a rise in criminal activities – especially at Rundu.

“I urge the police officers to do night patrols as we are all aware that the Kavango East and Rundu specifically has become a hotspot for criminals,” Kudumo says.

He encourages people to be extra cautious when going to the bank or when withdrawing money.

“Don’t trust strangers you are meeting at these places,” he says.

Kudumo says long-distance drivers should drive safely and rest when they need to.

He thanks business owners for creating jobs and wishes them the best to keep expanding.

“To the unemployed youth, don’t give up. Keep believing you will get a job or start something small for yourself to make some money.

“And if you are going on holiday, leave someone at home, because house-breaking is on rise at Rundu,” Kudumo says.

Swapo Party Youth League regional secretary and board member of the National Youth Council Anselm Marungu is also calling on the youth to refrain from using alcohol.

“Young people should stay at home at all times, and when going out with friends, they should know who they are going out with, but let’s be with our parents and families at home. Students should continue studying, read their books and help their parents,” he says.

Marungu says it is painful to study for four years and not secure employment thereafter.

He is calling on the government and financial institutions to make provision for employment.

“Have something productive on the table, and avoid going to places where the possibility and probability of bad things happening to you is beyond the word high itself,” says Vernet Mukoya, the national chairperson of the Students’ Union of Namibia.

He says alcohol consumption may not always be detrimental, but the way in which the youth are consuming it is concerning.
“We make it a hazard to our health and life in general. It brings nothing, and takes away all our dignity and joy, and ruins our finances,” Mukoya says.

Acting Kavango East police commander deputy commissioner Eino Nambahu says shebeen owners are expected to not sell alcohol to people under the age of 18.

“But what we have been observing is that sometimes schoolgoing children, those who are at boarding school, are found with alcohol on the street. When they are interrogated, they say someone bought them the alcohol.

“We are discouraging this type of behaviour,” he says.

Nambahu says the office of the inspector general issued a directive to all 14 regions of the country to come up with a campaign against sexual harassment, kidnapping, accidents, alcohol and drug abuse, drowning and the abuse of social media.

“We have been directed by the inspector general to sensitse parents to guide their children to keep themselves from dangerous places and practices during the festive season.”