Namibia has gone through various political changes over the past two centuries. One thing however is always constant. Once the political change occurs, there is a realisation that political independence means very little without economic ownership change. When the English ruled over Southern Africa they had the economic might. The Afrikaner took over and had to create state institutions such as the “Eerste Nasionale Ontwikkelings Korporasie” (ENOK or First National Development Corporation) to allow Afrikaner businessmen to get a share of the economic pie. The also created other institutions that should be supported by their people to become as powerful as the English ones, for example banks and insurance companies (Sanlam, Santam, etc.).
In much the same way, the black people of Namibia need to become participants in the economy. The first efforts were made in the early 1990’s to unite the two chambers of commerce, namely the Windhoek CCI and Windhoek Business Chamber. This resulted in the Namibia National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the predecessor of the present NCCI.
This was one of the most challenging times in my working life. The mistrust of decades had to be plastered over for the sake of the country and our newly created democracy. We succeeded.
BUT, we only plastered over the problem. The black majority is still not participating in the meaningful way promised by the politicians. Or for that matter, the way the previous English and Afrikaner political movements allowed their voters to prosper.
Tuesday, 25 August 2009
Friday, 21 August 2009
Loving a prostitute
For a period of two years I lived in Ausspannplatz close to the police headquarters. This area was previously the place travellers would stop and leave their wagons before entering Windhoek. (“Aus spann” means to let the cattle free to graze.) There is a small park and two traffic circles in the area. This is the downtown of the city.
As in most cities and towns around the world, the downtown has become a night life area filled with bars and casinos. Of course, where there is money and alcohol, there are also prostitutes and drugs.
When my forefathers (the Plaatjies family) came to Windhoek, they had a business in the area – opposite where the Ministry of Transport and Works is today. Not surprisingly, I found some of the people still remember my family in the area.
But it is the night life that was the most interesting. The area starts to come alive with the “night people starting around 16H00. The first “ladies” start appearing as their customers pass by before heading to their respective homes. Alcohol is being bought for the night ahead as it is cheaper from the bottle store than at the bar. The men in the area are either “boyfriends”, (who share the income with their girlfriends), drug peddlers – mostly marijuana, or petty thieves.
I have spent many an interesting evening with the people of the area and have never felt threatened by anyone. However, life and death are ever present. This can be through knife fights, being shot by the robbery victim or police, or while asleep on the railway lines.
During this period I met a young lady who was living in the area and we became more than just friends. I later moved to another part of Windhoek and she moved with me. However, this part of town and the people in the area were too part of her life. We later broke up and she returned to spending her day and nights in Ausspannplatz. Unfortunately, she became sick and as it was untreated it led to pneumonia. She passed away three days after being admitted to the hospital.
Elmarie Motswana was only 24 years old.
Her story began when she was 13 years old. Her mother and stepfather worked as labourers on a commercial farm close to Mariental. She became pregnant and had a baby boy at this age. Barely literate and with no hope, she moved to Windhoek to get another chance at schooling. Within a few months the lights of the city had bedazzled her and she went missing from her family’s house.
She created a new history for herself and over the next ten years she became Elmarie Motswana. She had played soccer at school and had gone with the school team to Brazil. Her mother was a rich lady from Katutura, but she hardly went home because her stepfather did not like her. And so it went on with each passing year and less and less of the true Elmarie stayed behind. Only after her passing, was I able to piece together some of her past.
As in most cities and towns around the world, the downtown has become a night life area filled with bars and casinos. Of course, where there is money and alcohol, there are also prostitutes and drugs.
When my forefathers (the Plaatjies family) came to Windhoek, they had a business in the area – opposite where the Ministry of Transport and Works is today. Not surprisingly, I found some of the people still remember my family in the area.
But it is the night life that was the most interesting. The area starts to come alive with the “night people starting around 16H00. The first “ladies” start appearing as their customers pass by before heading to their respective homes. Alcohol is being bought for the night ahead as it is cheaper from the bottle store than at the bar. The men in the area are either “boyfriends”, (who share the income with their girlfriends), drug peddlers – mostly marijuana, or petty thieves.
I have spent many an interesting evening with the people of the area and have never felt threatened by anyone. However, life and death are ever present. This can be through knife fights, being shot by the robbery victim or police, or while asleep on the railway lines.
During this period I met a young lady who was living in the area and we became more than just friends. I later moved to another part of Windhoek and she moved with me. However, this part of town and the people in the area were too part of her life. We later broke up and she returned to spending her day and nights in Ausspannplatz. Unfortunately, she became sick and as it was untreated it led to pneumonia. She passed away three days after being admitted to the hospital.
Elmarie Motswana was only 24 years old.
Her story began when she was 13 years old. Her mother and stepfather worked as labourers on a commercial farm close to Mariental. She became pregnant and had a baby boy at this age. Barely literate and with no hope, she moved to Windhoek to get another chance at schooling. Within a few months the lights of the city had bedazzled her and she went missing from her family’s house.
She created a new history for herself and over the next ten years she became Elmarie Motswana. She had played soccer at school and had gone with the school team to Brazil. Her mother was a rich lady from Katutura, but she hardly went home because her stepfather did not like her. And so it went on with each passing year and less and less of the true Elmarie stayed behind. Only after her passing, was I able to piece together some of her past.
Tuesday, 18 August 2009
Bring back forced labour
Crime is a problem. It stretches from petty theft of cellular phones to murdering your own wife. Sometimes it seems as if our Independence has given us freedoms because the punishments have been taken away. The punishments done away with include corporal punishment in schools, the death penalty, and forced labour amongst prisoners. More importantly the shame that went with the crime is no longer there.
Bring back forced labour, the Namibian Constitution Article 9(3)(a) allows for forced labour “required in consequence of a sentence or order of a Court”. Allow the prisoner to reimburse the victim and society for the wrongs they have committed.
Bring back forced labour, the Namibian Constitution Article 9(3)(a) allows for forced labour “required in consequence of a sentence or order of a Court”. Allow the prisoner to reimburse the victim and society for the wrongs they have committed.
Effective combating of crime
As quoted from Commission of Enquiry headed by Justice Brian O’Linn
“Most Namibians agree that the administration of justice has fallen into disrepute and that the main causes are, inter alia:
The laws, interpretation of the laws and application of the Constitution: the emphasis on rights without any emphasis on responsibilities; on the rights of the accused and convicted persons, but not the rights of the victims and law-abiding citizens; the unacceptable high rate of criminality and unacceptable low rate of literacy in the official language in the Namibian Police Force; generally the lack of a culture of professionalism, which includes pride in the profession, dedication and motivation; failure to put in place a culture of merit and non-discrimination in the place of racist criteria; the inexperience, lack of the necessary qualifications and/or training incompetence, physical fitness; insufficient equipment, vehicles and remuneration; the failure to incorporate magistrates into the judiciary in regard to appointment, control, professionalism and ethics; the inexperience and inadequate qualifications and training of some prosecutors and even some magistrates; insufficient courts and personnel to do the job; lack of proper organisation; the delaying tactics of legal practitioners for the defence; the increase in crime levels due to many different causes and problems – some of which are insoluble; lack of the necessary consistent leadership by many leading persons and institutions; outright abuse of power and corruption by too many of those in positions of power, trust and leadership; undermining of the rule of law; abuse of power and the consequent development of a culture of dishonesty, lawlessness, criminality and despondency.
… Policemen should be appointed and promoted on the basis of education, ability, experience, expertise, performance, character, integrity and motivation.”
“… there is a widespread misinterpretation that freedom means license to do whatever one likes without responsibility for these actions or the consequences. This interpretation extends to the misuse, vandalism and theft of public property and private property alike.”
“Successful arrest and conviction must operate as a deterrent and the State should, within the limits of its undoubtedly constrained resources, seek to deter serious crime by adequate remuneration for the police force; by incentives to improve their training and skill; by augmenting their numbers in key areas; and by facilitating their legitimacy in the perception of the communities in which they work”
Recommendations include making a highly qualified and professional group of security officers more effective in supplementing police inadequacies regarding the preparing of the statements of complaints and witnesses in criminal cases in which they become involved in the course of their professional duties.
“Most Namibians agree that the administration of justice has fallen into disrepute and that the main causes are, inter alia:
The laws, interpretation of the laws and application of the Constitution: the emphasis on rights without any emphasis on responsibilities; on the rights of the accused and convicted persons, but not the rights of the victims and law-abiding citizens; the unacceptable high rate of criminality and unacceptable low rate of literacy in the official language in the Namibian Police Force; generally the lack of a culture of professionalism, which includes pride in the profession, dedication and motivation; failure to put in place a culture of merit and non-discrimination in the place of racist criteria; the inexperience, lack of the necessary qualifications and/or training incompetence, physical fitness; insufficient equipment, vehicles and remuneration; the failure to incorporate magistrates into the judiciary in regard to appointment, control, professionalism and ethics; the inexperience and inadequate qualifications and training of some prosecutors and even some magistrates; insufficient courts and personnel to do the job; lack of proper organisation; the delaying tactics of legal practitioners for the defence; the increase in crime levels due to many different causes and problems – some of which are insoluble; lack of the necessary consistent leadership by many leading persons and institutions; outright abuse of power and corruption by too many of those in positions of power, trust and leadership; undermining of the rule of law; abuse of power and the consequent development of a culture of dishonesty, lawlessness, criminality and despondency.
… Policemen should be appointed and promoted on the basis of education, ability, experience, expertise, performance, character, integrity and motivation.”
“… there is a widespread misinterpretation that freedom means license to do whatever one likes without responsibility for these actions or the consequences. This interpretation extends to the misuse, vandalism and theft of public property and private property alike.”
“Successful arrest and conviction must operate as a deterrent and the State should, within the limits of its undoubtedly constrained resources, seek to deter serious crime by adequate remuneration for the police force; by incentives to improve their training and skill; by augmenting their numbers in key areas; and by facilitating their legitimacy in the perception of the communities in which they work”
Recommendations include making a highly qualified and professional group of security officers more effective in supplementing police inadequacies regarding the preparing of the statements of complaints and witnesses in criminal cases in which they become involved in the course of their professional duties.
Thursday, 13 August 2009
Loss of respect for the elderly
We are all going to grow old!
"Older people are the custodians of our traditions, our heritage and our cultures. They reflect our past and are the mirrors of our future. They have the right to a healthy, productive life, to live in a caring environment and to be treated with respect." - South African Minister of Social Development at the United Nations Second World Assembly on Ageing in Madrid.
As human beings were are the only conscious animal that is aware that one day our own existence will end. This is scary and many of us prefer to ignore this through denial and repression. However, we only know this because we have a memory of those who have passed before us.
Our memories are not only there to remind us of the bad things (such as death), but also plays an important role in our development and survival. In the wild, it is the old, wily Kudu who lives the longest because he has learnt from experience and retains the memories.
In all cultures, the history of a tribe, as well as the memories of past calamities was preserved only in the minds of the old people. Thus it was important before the written word, for all cultures to remember and pass on the knowledge of life saving information. The young thus stayed with in close proximity to their elders, and made effort to look after them in their old age. This is also one of the important foundations in worship of the forefathers.
Earlier than in other cultures, Europeans memories have been passed on to the next through the written word. This has been an important reason for their world dominance. The less reliance needed on the old, led in turn to smaller family units and inevitably accumulation of power and wealth in the hands of the few. It also led to younger family members being able to hold their elders to account for their past actions and decisions.
As the various cultures throughout the world have become civilised, they have gained the knowledge of the existing written word (mostly from the Bible) and often lost their own culture and memories before it is preserved in a written form.
However, since the advent of the World Wide Web in 1994, more and more of our memories, and thus our past, are available to all. And to add injury to insult, it is the young who are able to access the Web the easiest. With this vast library of information available at their fingertips, it is becoming easier for the young to judge their elders.
Our elders have lost the advantage of being the memory banks of our culture and history.
In a similar vein, earlier communication between the generations occurred at night after the evening meal. During the story telling (imparting of past wisdoms), the young were to be seen “not heard”. This was an important gesture of respect for the old, and a way of ensuring your own survival if you should get into an unfamiliar and deadly situation.
Our modern technology now means we all have cellular telephones. However, it is often the younger person doing the calling. The purpose is often still the same – to get something, whether information or to request money.
Now they cut the elder short during the normal greetings (a sign of respect) because “my credit is going to run out so listen quickly!”
We need a law to protect our elderly. Such a law must include:
• The right of older persons to live safely and without fear of abuse;
• the assumption that older persons are competent to make informed choices and decisions about their lives;
• the right of older persons to be treated fairly and be valued independently of their economic contribution; and
• the right of older persons to have access to employment, health, welfare, transportation, social assistance and other support systems without regard to economic status.
The law must also provide a mechanism punish abuse of the elderly.
"Older people are the custodians of our traditions, our heritage and our cultures. They reflect our past and are the mirrors of our future. They have the right to a healthy, productive life, to live in a caring environment and to be treated with respect." - South African Minister of Social Development at the United Nations Second World Assembly on Ageing in Madrid.
As human beings were are the only conscious animal that is aware that one day our own existence will end. This is scary and many of us prefer to ignore this through denial and repression. However, we only know this because we have a memory of those who have passed before us.
Our memories are not only there to remind us of the bad things (such as death), but also plays an important role in our development and survival. In the wild, it is the old, wily Kudu who lives the longest because he has learnt from experience and retains the memories.
In all cultures, the history of a tribe, as well as the memories of past calamities was preserved only in the minds of the old people. Thus it was important before the written word, for all cultures to remember and pass on the knowledge of life saving information. The young thus stayed with in close proximity to their elders, and made effort to look after them in their old age. This is also one of the important foundations in worship of the forefathers.
Earlier than in other cultures, Europeans memories have been passed on to the next through the written word. This has been an important reason for their world dominance. The less reliance needed on the old, led in turn to smaller family units and inevitably accumulation of power and wealth in the hands of the few. It also led to younger family members being able to hold their elders to account for their past actions and decisions.
As the various cultures throughout the world have become civilised, they have gained the knowledge of the existing written word (mostly from the Bible) and often lost their own culture and memories before it is preserved in a written form.
However, since the advent of the World Wide Web in 1994, more and more of our memories, and thus our past, are available to all. And to add injury to insult, it is the young who are able to access the Web the easiest. With this vast library of information available at their fingertips, it is becoming easier for the young to judge their elders.
Our elders have lost the advantage of being the memory banks of our culture and history.
In a similar vein, earlier communication between the generations occurred at night after the evening meal. During the story telling (imparting of past wisdoms), the young were to be seen “not heard”. This was an important gesture of respect for the old, and a way of ensuring your own survival if you should get into an unfamiliar and deadly situation.
Our modern technology now means we all have cellular telephones. However, it is often the younger person doing the calling. The purpose is often still the same – to get something, whether information or to request money.
Now they cut the elder short during the normal greetings (a sign of respect) because “my credit is going to run out so listen quickly!”
We need a law to protect our elderly. Such a law must include:
• The right of older persons to live safely and without fear of abuse;
• the assumption that older persons are competent to make informed choices and decisions about their lives;
• the right of older persons to be treated fairly and be valued independently of their economic contribution; and
• the right of older persons to have access to employment, health, welfare, transportation, social assistance and other support systems without regard to economic status.
The law must also provide a mechanism punish abuse of the elderly.
Friday, 7 August 2009
Influence of teachers - in memory of Heidi (Persendt) Japhta
I have been asked on occasion to give an inspirational talk to learners at award functions or graduations. The most memorable, and first, of these was for me when I was asked to deliver a speech at the Academic Awards of Dawid Bezuidenhout Secondary School My wife was also a teacher at the school, (and I had finished my schooling there - under the late Heidi Japtha, nee Persendt) and had encouraged me to accept this honour. The following is the gist of the speech I gave:
My mother was music and accounting teacher and my wife is an accounting and information sciences teacher. Many of the important people in my life were school teachers.
One of the most important lessons I learnt from a teacher was during my Standard 6 (Grade 7) year when I was 14 years old. Mr. McKelvin was my Geography teacher and till today, I can still distinguish the differences in clouds because he made us lay on our back in the middle of the playground and then pointed out the various types. This was his lesson about life:
“Sometime we find ourselves in a conversation and say something really stupid. Something like rubber is made from oil (rather than from a tree). Now a week or two later, we find ourselves among the same group of people. We remember the mistake we made so we are too frightened to say anything. So we miss the opportunity to participate because of our previous mistake.
Well, you are wrong. The other people also made mistakes, and they are too busy remembering their own mistakes to remember yours!”
This has made me overcome one of the problems I believe we all have, admitting when we have made mistakes – and more importantly learning to laugh at ourselves.
The next life lesson I remember from a teacher was about “asking God for something”. I had a successful career, happy family and most everything money could buy. During this time I prayed to God to help me establish my own business. But, instead of God answering my prayers, I found myself losing some of the wonderful things I had. One of my mentors saw how dejected I was and asked, “what’s the matter?” Upon hearing my story, he replied, “Oh, Milton. God is just making space in your hands for the next present. Your hands were just too full!”
So whenever I face adversity and see my possessions becoming less, I know it is God making more space for that big gift he has prepared for me!
My mother was music and accounting teacher and my wife is an accounting and information sciences teacher. Many of the important people in my life were school teachers.
One of the most important lessons I learnt from a teacher was during my Standard 6 (Grade 7) year when I was 14 years old. Mr. McKelvin was my Geography teacher and till today, I can still distinguish the differences in clouds because he made us lay on our back in the middle of the playground and then pointed out the various types. This was his lesson about life:
“Sometime we find ourselves in a conversation and say something really stupid. Something like rubber is made from oil (rather than from a tree). Now a week or two later, we find ourselves among the same group of people. We remember the mistake we made so we are too frightened to say anything. So we miss the opportunity to participate because of our previous mistake.
Well, you are wrong. The other people also made mistakes, and they are too busy remembering their own mistakes to remember yours!”
This has made me overcome one of the problems I believe we all have, admitting when we have made mistakes – and more importantly learning to laugh at ourselves.
The next life lesson I remember from a teacher was about “asking God for something”. I had a successful career, happy family and most everything money could buy. During this time I prayed to God to help me establish my own business. But, instead of God answering my prayers, I found myself losing some of the wonderful things I had. One of my mentors saw how dejected I was and asked, “what’s the matter?” Upon hearing my story, he replied, “Oh, Milton. God is just making space in your hands for the next present. Your hands were just too full!”
So whenever I face adversity and see my possessions becoming less, I know it is God making more space for that big gift he has prepared for me!
Thursday, 6 August 2009
Education in the ICT (internet and telecommunications) is a must for each and every citizen of Namibia as we progress into the future. Every child attending school should be IT literate by the end of primary school. All children must have the equivalent of the Master in Microsoft Office (MCAS) or International Drivers Licence (ICDL).
The government must put in place an incentive scheme to encourage companies to invest 1% of their turnover on basic computer literacy skills (word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, emails and internet). A possible tax rebate can be offered if a company can prove computer literacy levels at all levels, especially of unskilled workers. Retrenchment packages should also include a computer training component.
The government must put in place an incentive scheme to encourage companies to invest 1% of their turnover on basic computer literacy skills (word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, emails and internet). A possible tax rebate can be offered if a company can prove computer literacy levels at all levels, especially of unskilled workers. Retrenchment packages should also include a computer training component.
Wednesday, 5 August 2009
Foundation of Education
“A child educated only at school is an uneducated child.” - George Santayana
The foundation of education is found at the home. The traditions of culture, respect for the elderly, respect for the property of others and other moral values are part of the environment within which our children grow up. In our modern world however, more and more of the responsibility of the education of our children is expected to be at school.
Our constitution guarantees primary education. I propose we introduce a further two year pre-primary care for our children. During these two formative years, children will be given the opportunity to practise their motor skills through sport, and provide an opportunity to learn the basics of music. Not all families can presently provide this necessary training, which includes teaching a child to concentrate, and it must therefore be the duty of the state to give the tools necessary to prepare the child for primary school.
The foundation of education is found at the home. The traditions of culture, respect for the elderly, respect for the property of others and other moral values are part of the environment within which our children grow up. In our modern world however, more and more of the responsibility of the education of our children is expected to be at school.
Our constitution guarantees primary education. I propose we introduce a further two year pre-primary care for our children. During these two formative years, children will be given the opportunity to practise their motor skills through sport, and provide an opportunity to learn the basics of music. Not all families can presently provide this necessary training, which includes teaching a child to concentrate, and it must therefore be the duty of the state to give the tools necessary to prepare the child for primary school.
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