Making A Better World - Milton Louw

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We have thrown the baby out with the bathwater. This is the only explanation of the total lack of information based on cultural affiliations in our census in Namibia. Unfortunately, this attitude of “let’s pretend it is not there” does not make it so. Even in South Africa, where the Apartheid system was the most formalised, they have recognised the need to keep the information and knowledge of all cultural groups as part of the “rainbow nation”. Discrimination because of race colour or culture is a thing of the past and is replaced by recognition and acceptance of our differences. We have also outlawed discrimination on the basis of gender, yet still need this categorisation to measure the needed changes that must take place in our country for gender equality. In the same way it is important to note that when a previously marginalised group, such as the San people, have qualified teachers from within their own tribe and culture (Republikein – 14 April 2009). The lack of recogniti...

Proposed Charter of Namibian Consumer Rights 1. The right to basic goods and services which guarantee survival. 2. The right to be protected against the marketing of goods or the provision of services that are hazardous to health and life. 3. The right to be protected against dishonest or misleading advertising or labelling. 4. The right to choose products and services at competitive prices with an assurance of satisfactory quality. 5. The right to express consumer interests in the making and execution of government policy. 6. The right to be compensated for misrepresentation, shoddy goods or unsatisfactory services. 7. The right to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to be an informed consumer. 8. The right to live and work in an environment which is neither threatening nor dangerous and which permits a life of dignity and well-being.

As part fo the run-up to our national elections, we have to consider the induction training that parliamentarians should be getting. As a nation we must understand and respect the institutions which propose debate and make our laws. Too many times I have heard people say “these politicians – they are only in it for what they can get”. The Parliament has as its duty the education of the citizens in how we can make use of them to improve our daily lives. Essentially, I would like to see private citizens being able to propose laws to their representatives and have these submitted in Parliament. Unfortunately most of us accept that our laws are submitted by bureaucrats (government employees) working under the orders of the Minster involved. Thus in fact not separating the executive from the legislature, but rather having the parliament become a rubber stamp for decisions made by the ruling party and its ministers. We also have to recognise that being a Member of Parliament is a way for...

Whenever we hear about consumer rights, we must look closely, because there is sure to be a “consumer activist” in the area. What is this activist doing and what is their goal? According to definition, consumer activism is undertaken on behalf of consumers to assert consumer rights. Goals can include making products or services that are directed at consumers safer, of better quality as well as making them more readily available. The ideal goal is to push consumers to question the morality of a purchased product's origins. Consumer activist tactics can include boycotts, petitioning the government, media activism, and organising interest groups The most common tactic is to have protest marches in order to gain political influence (make the politicians listen). By gaining this influence, the group gains new political opportunities as well as access to resources such as donor money, to use for their benefit. This in turns allows for funding of further activities to protest and ge...

I just probably had the shortest job in my life. A few weeks back I had been offered the job of Head: Corporate Sales at Legalshield Namibia and I thought it would be great opportunity to get back in the Corporate world – rather than working for myself ;-). Anyway, was supposed to start on Nov2 and went there with high expectations. Unfortunately, they have believed someone else’s version of events of what happened at the ICT Alliance (If you remember – this was the organisation that could not pay me a salary for a part-time job but still wanted to have a disciplinary hearing after I had resigned at IIT.) So, twenty minutes later – I walked out and like always, thanked God for guiding my life. Funnily enough, one of my best friends for over 30 years had warned me about the job. He was arrested at his company on Wednesday and had wanted a lawyer. Even though he had paid-up membership of over three years, they refused him the services of a lawyer. So all’s well that ends well. I am back ...