We can change trains, or derail

THE TRAIN SPOTTER WRITES:

The gravy train of entitlement and corruption, without performance is about to derail.

We need to change trains, or Vision 2030 will become a myth.

To quote from an American gospel song:

"This train is bound for glory, don’t carry nothing but the righteous and the holy.

"The train is bound for glory, this train.

"This train don’t carry no gamblers, liars, thieves, nor big shot ramblers.

"This train is bound for glory, this train.

"This train don’t carry no con men, no wheeler dealers, here and gone men.

"This train don’t carry no con men, this train."

The TransNamib train runs irregularly, with a huge cloud of smoke, due to poor servicing. The roads are full of fuel tankers, as TransNamib can’t cope.

For four months, twelve derailed wagons lie next to the track, ten kilometres south of Otjiwarongo.

Air Namibia has been uncoupled due to bankruptcy. The Namibia Airports Company and Namibia Wildlife Resorts are likely to follow.

The gravy train will grind to a halt. Change to the “glory train” at the next station or try a taxi (with hope and trust) if you can fit through the door.

SOE (State owned Enterprises) are often run as “honey pots”. If a loss is made, treasury will bail you out. The discipline of balancing your budget is lacking.

If you fail to plan and maintain, you plan to fail. Apply the Michael Bloomberg Principles (NYSE) to your annual budget.

Don’t spend more than you earn (dept trap)

Have a list of affordable priorities, not wishes

Save regularly for a reserve cushion

The political struggle for freedom, justice and dignity was won on 21 March 1990.

The struggle – “A luta continua, victória é certa” - for socio-economic liberation, self-sufficiency and prosperity to overcome ignorance, poverty and disease is a mountain to climb.

We don’t need SOEs stealing from the poor and vulnerable. Don’t blame Corona. The mismanagement problems were long term. Match power with competence or face the consequences, junk status surprise!?

The better the service from civil service and SOEs, the more votes.

The more “Fishrot”, the more the loss of trust and votes. Make your choice, invest in a civil service of apolitical excellence, serving all Namibians equally, not self-service.

According to information given to new members of the National Assembly on 25 February 2021, the benefits of PSEMAS were exhausted, although the financial year only ends on 31 March 2021, and the pay-outs for GP’s is at a 46% discount of the 2021 NAMAF fees. PSEMAS has a claims budget of N$2.6 billion.

Choose the glory train to reach Vision 2030.

(This letter was penned without knowledge of Tuesday's derailing in Swakopmund.)