Open letter on how we can improve Namibia (Part 2)

DR. ABISAI SHEJAVALI WRITES:The fifth issue I would like to raise, is related to our country's natural resources.It may be of interest to you that in May 1974 even the United Nations General Assembly re-emphasised: "Full permanent sovereignty of every State over its natural resources and all economic activities. In order to safeguard these resources, each State is entitled to exercise effective control over them and their exploitation with means suitable to its own situation, including the right to nationalization or transfer of ownership to its nationals, this right being an expression of the full permanent sovereignty of the State."No State may be subjected to economic, political or any other type of coercion to prevent the free and full exercise of this inalienable right…” (UN General Assembly Resolution 3201 (S-VI): Declaration of the Establishment of a New International Economic Order)ENRICHING OTHERSDespite the fact that Namibia is rich in resources, the majority of our people continue to live in poverty.Our wealth of fish, gold, uranium, copper, diamonds, etc. are being shipped out by foreign companies to enrich their foreign countries, leaving our people suffering in terrible poverty.The New Era of 18 April 2018 reported that “Namibia's exports of precious minerals generated N$23 billion in the 2017/2018 financial year.” Think about it. For how long will this painful situation of taking our raw minerals to western and eastern countries continue? I do not understand this!Parliament must do something to enact laws that address this issue so that people of communities such as Otjimbingwe, Karibib, Usakos, Okombahe, Khorixas, Omaruru, etc. which are in the vicinity of such resources and indeed the entire nation are not excluded from benefiting.It is understandable that investors, both local and foreign, should gain returns on their investment. However, parliament needs to evaluate these arrangements in consideration of such resolutions as 3201 and 3202 (S-VI) mentioned above. These resolutions provide Namibia with a valid foundation from which she can bargain for the protection of her natural resources to better benefit her citizens.Yes, some of our citizens are employed in these sectors, but it is at the mercy of rich multinational companies. Generally, these jobs are not as secure, thus employees face the risk of job losses due to retrenchments and other factors. And the multinationals do little to reinvest in and enrich the lives of their Namibian employees.In my view, mining licenses and agreements should compel foreign entities to share their expertise with the Namibian people. Namibians must be trained in running the mines and fishing industries, skills and expertise should be shared, and part of the money generated should be invested in setting up sustainable projects for local communities.Namibia, for how long? For how long will my country have to feed foreigners while letting our own children starve of hunger and die of malnutrition and poverty? For how long will your leaders remain fast asleep, while foreigners are stealing your wealth?Leaders, please wake up! Think of the future, love your people and the generations to come. Protect Namibia, don't sell it away! It belongs to us.It is the dearest heritage of our children – their inheritance forever. Don't give it away. Love it dearly, develop it, and protect it forever.JUST A PIECE OF PAPER FOR THE POOROur Constitution is hailed worldwide as a brilliant piece of paper. But, in fact, as far as the previously disadvantaged are concerned, it is only mediocre, if even that! It is mostly pro the haves, and against the have-nots, which discredits the achievements of the struggle for independence and freedom of our country.It needs to be revisited so that it can address the plight of previously disadvantaged people. They should and must be treated differently in acquiring land or plots in urban areas.Serious consideration should be given to the voices of young activists such as Mr. Job Amupanda and Mr. Bernadus Swartbooi. Their call brings awareness to the cry of the poor and landless, these voices should not be ignored.If parliament does not stand up together to eliminate poverty by making tough laws against discrimination, self-enrichment, inequality in the ownership of land, etc. the majority of this country will continue to suffer in dire poverty. In addition to making these laws, implementing the laws is of critical importance.Why have the haves become richer and richer, while the have-nots become poorer and poorer? In Namibia today, we hear of some who own vast amounts of arable land of thousands of hectares, while in the same Namibia we have landless people.This unhealthy and sinful situation must not be allowed to continue. We must not become too comfortable with this untransformed and unjust situation.The government must change the attitudes of paying high salaries to government officials, while people at the grassroots suffer of poverty and go to bed hungry. We should and must pay attention to the voice of God: “There should be no poor person among you.” (Deut 15:4)We must be obedient to the words of God, calling us to fight poverty in a true sense. The Bible teaches us much on how to get rid of poverty among our nations.CONSOLIDATING TRIBALISMThe issue of traditional authorities in the Constitution also requires revisiting.I look at the creation and setup of traditional authorities as simply a continuation of the former apartheid regime homelands. The apartheid regime created homelands for Namibian blacks on the basis of their ethnicity, so that they could not unite and become a powerful entity with which the government of that day would have to reckon. The system also created hatred between ethnic groups, thereby strengthening tribal lines.Our present government, by legislating the continued existence of traditional authorities, is grooming and consolidating tribalism - thereby creating puppets and weakening the principle of “One Namibia One Nation”. This is not to say that the preservation of culture is unimportant. However, traditional authorities should exist organically, rather than by being propped up by government in a way that keeps Namibians divided.The existence of these authorities - as government entities - requires a serious inquiry and debate, with an outcome that seeks to create one nation and do away with things which do not contribute to national unity and nation building.VIOLENT CRIMEThe last point is concerning the violence against infants, children and women in our country.We are witnessing a growing culture of violence against women: they are raped, beaten up, and murdered. Infants are killed by their mothers, and children are raped by adults.These sinful acts - these attitudes must come to an end. Causes of these horrific acts must be researched, brought to parliamentary enquiry and eliminated. Parliament must come up with tough laws and implement such laws which could protect fully our grandmothers, mothers, sisters, daughters, nieces.Women must be protected, loved, and should be helped to feel safe. Let them walk tall and safe in Namibia.I look forward to your engagement on the above, and to the start of a national dialogue on how our Constitution can better facilitate the development of Namibia and her people.

Open letter on how we can improve Namibia (Part 2)

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Republikein 2025-01-08

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Open letter on how we can improve Namibia (Part 2)

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