Brigitte Weidlich
11 April 2008
Windhoek — Namibians should practise mutual respect, tolerance and national reconciliation to allow the continuation of peace so that there would be no space for tribalism, racism, nepotism and regionalism, but prosperity through hard work, President Hifikepunye Pohamba urged in is fourth State of the Nation address yesterday.
"We cannot allow the majority of our people to swim in the sea of poverty, while a small minority is secure on islands of prosperity," the Head of State said in Parliament.
"This is not what the liberation struggle was all about and not what the hard-won independence should perpetuate."
Namibians should join hands to make the country better for future generations, he said.
"This is our home and our motherland, let us make it better for the present and future generations."
While his 90-minute address followed the usual pattern of highlighting Government achievements in service delivery and capital expenditure over the past year, such as the new State House and the northern railway project, President Pohamba promised youth projects in skills development, improved health care, more funds to build houses for lower-income groups through the National Housing Enterprise (NHE) and better service delivery from the civil service.
In order to support small miners, N$15 million would be made available to improve their income, he announced. The Development Bank had provided several loans for investment in the local economy in the past year, which created over 2 000 jobs, Pohamba said. Delivery of housing, electricity - including solar power - and health care should be redoubled, in the words of Pohamba.
"We need to do more to promote economic activities. In response to a question by an opposition MP what the State was doing to buffer rocketing fuel and food prices, the Head of State said it might be possible for Government to subsidise some sectors, but he did not specify which.
"The current economic situation should not be a cause for alarm," the President stated, "Government is hard at work to weather these difficult times ...
we must act pragmatically and with reasoned judgement. "Our new budget now under consideration in Parliament has provided a clear framework and vision for increased delivery of goods and services to more Namibians.
I am convinced the pro-poor orientation of our budget is the right approach in the short and long term. It will ultimately mean that no community is left behind in the socio-economic development process." Government would continue to introduce measures to equip the youth with skills and knowledge to make them competitive against their counterparts in the region and beyond. While successes were recorded in the past year, improvements had to be made to serve more people and improve the living conditions of those Namibians living in difficult conditions.
"I call on all Namibians to continue to maintain peace and harmony with their neighbours and all their fellow Namibians.
We must all practise mutual respect, tolerance and co-operation in the process of nation building," the President urged, receiving a standing ovation from MPs and diplomats sitting in the public gallery.
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