Long road to prosperity

SAPIENS WRITES: The long road, to political (votes) Independence, 21 March 1990, took more than 30 years. The road to prosperity, (Vision 2030) is much longer. The struggle continues. In 2024, about half the Namibians will not be economically independent. A quarter survives on social grants. Many are left behind. At independence, the Founding Father identified ignorance, poverty, and disease as the main challenges. In 2024, we will still have a 50 percent conundrum. The democracy, by, for and with the people, leaves us living in shacks with no windows, no water, no toilet, no light – this is a bad air disease incubator (TB/measles/Covid/flu/smoke). There is no sexual privacy or a place for homework. At the end of the month, half the men go to a “cul de sac” shebeen, drink too much, get involved in GBV/rape/assaults, and accidents – see Katutura casualty. Half the biological “fathers” disappear, and don’t live up to their maintenance obligations. This is left to single mothers, grandmothers (pension), social security, the ministry of gender equality and child welfare – ministry of gender, poverty eradication and social welfare. The role model father is the missing link. Real men pay! Many children (tomorrow’s generation) are stunted physically, mentally, and emotionally. They lack hope for a better, safer, and more secure future. It may end in a beg, steal, borrow, and jail scenario! Politics (promises) must deliver more than self-service for the chosen few and correct the left-over, wait-and-hope public service in partnership with the voters. We share this place; we all belong. Ubuntu and harambee are not empty words, but commitments to service. Respect Dr. Hage Gottfried Geingob’s legacy wishes. There are solutions with effort: Every shack should have a burglar-proof window and a whirly bird extractor, with access to clean water, light, and toilets (hygiene) – GRN. A standing order should be introduced at all public bars. Pay a taxi deposit up front; if you can’t stand in the dark, a taxi will take you home safely. At the ANC (Ante natal clinic), a data bank of biologically unmarried fathers can be established so that a stop order for the mother or child can be organised. A right to pleasure goes hand in hand with responsibility. Plan kindergartens next to old age homes so that both can benefit from 08:30 to 12:30 — sharing time. Tax, addictive sugar (no tax in Namibia), is an appetite stimulant in three hourly yo-yo hunger cycles. Namibia is not a circus needing sugar to perform at the voting booth. Obesity leads to diabetes, hypertension, and a short life expectancy. By cross-exempting good foods from VAT – eggs, milk, bread, unsifted mineral and vitamin-enriched maize meal, apples (Vitamin C), carrots (Vitamin A), pilchards (Anti-fishrot), Meatma products (soup bones, organ “meat”, matangara (tripe) lard (dense good fat is appetite suppressant energy), as well as condoms and sanitary pads (NB schoolgirls). A family does not just happen. It is a planned joint commitment before God. Live within your carrying capacity – replace yourselves 2x2, not 2x4 in poverty. If you fail to plan and maintain, you plan to fail. Invest in compound good habits and grow; health is wealth. Preventative maintenance protects your “assets” – health, skills, relationships, finance, faith, home, car, etc. – your lifespan. Make your work, skill, and talent your vocation, calling, footprint, and prayer. The struggle continues!* Rubrieke, meningstukke, briewe en SMS’e deur lesers en meningvormers weerspieël nie noodwendig die siening van Republikein of Namibia Media Holdings (NMH) nie. As mediahuis onderskryf NMH die etiese kode vir Namibiese media, soos toegepas deur die Media-ombudsman.

Long road to prosperity

Kommentaar

Republikein 2026-02-03

Meld asseblief aan om kommentaar te lewer

Long road to prosperity

Kommentaar

Republikein 2026-02-03

Meld asseblief aan om kommentaar te lewer

Intekening vereis om toegang tot inhoud te kry. ×

MELD AAN

Advertensie

Intekening vereis om toegang tot inhoud te kry.