The second social and economic struggle

DR. A.C OBHOLZER, PSEMAS LIFESTYLE CONSULTANT, WRITES:The first phase of the liberation struggle (a luta continua, vitória é certa) was achieved on the 21st of March 1990. This was political, for justice, dignity and self-determination.The inherited challenges were identified by the founding father as ignorance, poverty and disease. Much has been achieved since, but much still needs to be done.Namibia is driven by Vision 2030, of which the goal is prosperity, peace, harmony, democracy of the people, by the people, for the people, with nobody left behind, in the spirit of Harambee.At present the economy is flat and the drought is crippling rural communities. Forty percent are unemployed or underemployed and live in shacks. Malnutrition and stunted growth is making a comeback.If you fail to plan and maintain, you plan to fail. We should look at the successful “China Model” to break the vicious cycle of socio-economic deprivation:• Revised family carrying capacity 2+2• Education and skills for the workplace• Zero tolerance for public drunkenness• Work ethic and title deeds (plots)• Water and soap hygiene and toiletsA child is the future and a huge responsibility. It can only reach its full potential with food, clothing, shelter, love, guidance, schooling and health inputs. It flourishes with good role models.The drought and unemployment have forced farmers and families to drastically review “carrying capacity”.We need access to:• User-friendly contraception for especially young schoolgirls (new law in place from 14 years) with relationship training. Beware of sugar daddies.• Education before voting (18) and having children.• More day care centers/schooling and sport than shebeens (escape reality).• Dump junk fast foods and soft drinks for real, unprocessed food.• Salt and sugars result in hunger, thirst, obesity and the destruction of health.A glass of milk (we are mammals), an egg, an apple/orange/carrot a day, will set our health compass in the right direction. Add brown bread/maize meal with butter (no jam or sugar) and a Meatma potjiekos – soup bones, matangara (tripe), organ meat with vegetables and cabbage or pilchards and you have a head start, which is affordable, value for money nutrition.A corrugated iron shack is an air disease incubator for TB, flu and measles. Each shack should have two burglar-proof windows for light and cross ventilation, and a whirly bird air extractor on the roof. Internally a partition should separate adults from children for intimate privacy.Open wood fires with smoke and poor ventilation are as damaging to the lungs as tobacco smoke. Little basic wood stoves with chimneys are available.Every twelve shacks should have a communal container to serve as day care (mornings), homework (afternoons), soup kitchen (late afternoon) and as a TV room in the evening. Keep alcohol (fermented sugar) far away, sleep well and wake up with a clear mind.Become independent by making good choices at every fork in the road of life. God helps those who help themselves. Seize your opportunities.Attitude: I am the captain of my soul. I am the master of my destiny. God willing. - Nelson MandelaI am not what happened to me (passive victim).I am who I chose to become (dreamer activist). - Carl Jung

The second social and economic struggle

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Republikein 2025-11-04

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The second social and economic struggle

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