New Era, 11 Sep 2012 - Story by Paulus Paulus
WINDHOEK - Bold steps have to be taken to address existing income disparities, high unemployment and under-development in Namibia in a direct and urgent manner.“Urgent action is needed in addressing income inequality. Presently, Namibia has the sad distinction of having one of the highest levels of income disparities in the world. This state of affairs has many negative implications for our country. We must face the hard facts and acknowledge that, if it is not addressed speedily and comprehensively, this unhealthy situation will breed resentment that has the real potential to disturb our social fabric,” President Hifikepunye Pohamba told the Swapo national policy conference underway in Windhoek.
The four-day conference will focus on addressing what the president referred to as “the bread and butter issues” affecting all Namibians and consider new policy options to improve the effectiveness of the ruling party’s policy interventions to facilitate better delivery of services and boost its ability to address the numerous developmental challenges facing Namibia.
The conference will also serve as a platform for Swapo Party to engage in in-depth discussions and to analyse the national development policies it has pursued over the last 22 years. The policy conference is the first for the ruling party and is taking place to review the party’s policies and progress ahead of the congress at the end of the year.
President Pohamba told delegates to approach the conference with a sense of urgency in addressing the socio-economic challenges facing the country, saying it is the right thing to do and a moral imperative of the present government to act now. “This is not the kind of society for which thousands of our heroes and heroines sacrificed their lives during the national liberation struggle,” stressed the Head of State.
The conference will also serve as a platform for Swapo Party to engage in in-depth discussions and to analyse the national development policies it has pursued over the last 22 years. The policy conference is the first for the ruling party and is taking place to review the party’s policies and progress ahead of the congress at the end of the year.
President Pohamba told delegates to approach the conference with a sense of urgency in addressing the socio-economic challenges facing the country, saying it is the right thing to do and a moral imperative of the present government to act now. “This is not the kind of society for which thousands of our heroes and heroines sacrificed their lives during the national liberation struggle,” stressed the Head of State.
More than 2 000 delegates are gathered at the Safari Hotel for the conference, which is also expected to discuss questions related to the acquisition and distribution of land. One proposal already on the table is the possible amendment of the Local Authority Act of 1992 to ban regional and local governments from selling land through auctions or the process of tendering. The proposal calls for the central government to regulate all urban land and to restrict or regulate the foreign ownership of land. If the proposed amendments are approved, town councils will be compelled to sell land through private treaty. Unlike the highest bidder takes all condition of auctions and tendering, private treaty sales will allow more room for price negotiations and the terms and conditions are usually pre-defined and suitable for targeted buyers, such as first-time home buyers. The proposed changes are a direct response to the public outcry over residential and business erven that are over-priced.
The Swapo Elders’ Council, the Swapo Youth League, as well as the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, have all publicly decried the escalating cost of land in urban centres throughout the country.
The Swapo Elders’ Council, the Swapo Youth League, as well as the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, have all publicly decried the escalating cost of land in urban centres throughout the country.
The policy documents under deliberation were developed by the Swapo think tank under the chairmanship of Dr Abraham Iyambo. The conference will also review and discuss the report on the implementation of the resolutions of the 4th Swapo Congress.
Pohamba said despite having delivered notable results over the years, policies are subject to review to ensure that they are relevant, effective and address the evolving changes associated with a dynamic world. “We cannot address challenges of the 21st century with the tools of the 20th century,” he said.
Swapo Secretary General Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana said the challenges facing the country may be difficult, but the ruling party is ready to roll into the future confronting the challenges facing Namibia and its people. Iivula-Ithana cautioned members to be wary of detractors and external forces that are trying to divide them, going towards the congress. “If we are not careful, we may end up being used by external forces,” she said, adding that there is no vacancy in the Swapo Party and Pohamba remains the president. Swapo Party stalwarts Simon Mzee Kaukungwa, Andimba Toivo ya Toivo, Kanana Hishoono and Junior Ndadi, referred to as the class of 1950, and senior government officials and delegates from all the country’s thirteen political regions are attending the conference.
(Additional reporting by Nampa.)
(Additional reporting by Nampa.)