The iron curtain of poverty

ANONYMOUS WRITES:Despite claims to the contrary, an “iron curtain” of poverty has descended between formal and growing informal settlements in Namibia in the last 30 years.Real independence (self-sufficiency) was about dignity, justice, choice and opportunity to counteract ignorance, poverty and disease. Land productivity was a key in the concept of Vision 2030 – prosperity for all.However, in reality, there has been a major migration, from rural to urban areas, in search of a livelihood. All formal towns in Namibia are surrounded by informal corrugated iron shacks, with inadequate or absent hygienic service delivery i.e. water, electricity, toilets, refuse, roads etc. Wood and smoke are sources of and the results of cooking food and warmth in winter.Half the people are un- or under-employed. They suffer from food insecurity. The shacks are hot in summer and cold in winter. Cross ventilation, “no or small windows”, is inadequate, leading to the spread of airborne diseases, TB/Measles/corona. There is no privacy for sexual activity.Children don't have a homework venue. There is little space between shacks for a vegetable patch and social distancing. At the end of the month, men tend to head for a shebeen, to drown their sorrows. Women often are left to care for the offspring and head for church on Sundays.Family life is unstable with gender-based violence common.Life expectancy according to the 2013 average was 57 years (53 years for men and 61 years for women). The pension age is sixty!We need the church, schools, politicians, sport-people and parents to act as role models for a stable future with hope.UNICEF – Primary Health Care, food security and education is the cornerstone of a better future, within the carrying capacity of family units. Avoid the Anaesthetic Fog (addiction) of tobacco, alcohol, sugar and unprotected sex, which sabotages all good lifestyle aspirations.Give more, help more, be more in compassion / empathy in the spirit of Ubuntu and Harambee. Invest in humanity and a better future. Change your attitude!I am not what happened to me (passive victim), I am who I chose to become (positive realistic activist, C. Jung).I am the captain of my soul. I am the master of my destiny. (Nelson Mandela)Carpe Diem – together is better.

The iron curtain of poverty

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Republikein 2025-09-11

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The iron curtain of poverty

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Republikein 2025-09-11

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