Kae Matundu Tjiparuro
Gobabis, known as the capital of the Cattle Country, as the region is popularly known whether the cap fits it or not, has lately been an atypical hustle and bustle.
Inhabitants of the region, including the youth, converged on the town in what could turn out a pioneering initiative in creating for the youth in the region jobs. From which other regions could well take a leaf or two. Currently the region is said to be third on the entire country’s unemployment log. The scorch of unemployment in the country among the youth is well known with unemployment among the youth in the 40% range if not higher. Needless to say this calls for some drastic practical measures and not posturing as has been with many social ills in the country. The would-be ready made solutions to which have been no more than posturing and political gimmicking. Notably housing where the needs have since independence been growing in leaps and bounds. This is on top of the colonial legacy where the post-independence administration inherited a huge housing backlog. Promising to tackle it head on. But a promised remaining unfulfilled if not proving a pipedream. Little has been done since if only to arrest th
e situation if not speaking of its reversal. With little to zero prospects if in only arresting the dire situation. Not with all indications of many a residents being condemned to informal settlements as their permanent homes. Whether the situation will ever stabilise before and reversal remains only a fantasy and ever remotely-looking. Exacerbated by rapid urbanisation. Again a factor, among others, of the stagnated and constipated development most of our regions has ever seen since independence.
For regions like Omaheke to be in the unenviable position on the log unemployment in the country, attributable to lack of development of the region notwithstanding the global economic situation that for years now since Namibia’s independence in 1990, been debilitating growth and development. That it is why the initiative by Omaheke is commendable all things being equal. Because one is already hearing that not everyone is behind the initiatives with division along the political lines, worse within the ruling party itself. Marred by political posturing among its principals along myopic schisms, which is nothing but the habitual repositioning by greedy money-hunting individuals the would-be vanguard party is infested with.
Yours Truly Ideologically does not believe in tampering with the capitalist system the effect thereof which can be short-lived and not long-term. Or rather dealing with the symptoms of the capitalist system as opposed to reforming the whole system which can be a long-term issue. But the pertinent question is whether dealing with the symptoms of an incorrigible and unreformable system, shall ever lead to a point of its dismantling? While at the same time having every moment to deal with its recurrent intended effects as opposed to its outcomes being side effects? This is by no means taking anything away from the commendable efforts that the region has embarked upon in alleviating unemployment. But if any efforts are not geared towards fundamentally addressing the root causes, than such, however commendable they may be, may prove at the end of the day in terms of their practical effects only a drop in the ocean.
Yours Truly Ideologically cannot but appreciate that it may not immediately be within the powers of the inhabitants of Omaheke to fundamentally change the capitalist system in the country. With the realism of the futility of changing it in Omaheke while it continues its harm in the rest of the country. But a beginning must be had somewhere. And who knows the bold initiative in addressing and/or alleviating unemployment in the region may be the beginning of something. As they say a giant leap/step can only begin with a small step. The initiative by Omaheke may one day if carried through with the same determination and vigour those behind it seem to have unleashed it. One is aware the regional councilors are almost approaching the end of their term. This may present the good initiative embarked upon with a conundrum in terms of sustainability. The flipside is that the governor is a political appointee and there’s no guarantee that next time he will be around, if only for institutional memory, to be able to carr
y this initiative to its logical conclusion.
Experience this far as far as Omaheke is concerned has been little to zero continuity from one governor to the next, and from one constituency councilor to the next in terms of carrying development projects through, that is where there has been any pretense at development. Yours Truly Ideologically is reminded of one or two investment conferences there may have been there presided over and/or witnessed one or the other governor. But their recommendations, which seem never to have been carried over and/or through in implementation from one to the other bare testimony to the lack of continuity. A case in point upon assuming office, if my memory serves me well, the councilor for Epukiro had one or another economic/investment conference. As if assuming office on zero balance. Yours Truly Ideologically is reminded in this regard of the Epukiro Strategic Development Plan Workshop back in 2006 under the auspices of councilor Brave Tjizera. The report thereof incidentally which was prepared by none other than incumb
ent councilor, Packy Pakarae. Same Yours is also reminded as far as the entire Omaheke region is concerned of an investment/economic opportunities conference in 2016. Which needless to say included the Epukiro Constituency. What were the recommendations of such and have they ever been implemented. And have these recommendations since become obsolete to be acted upon by subsequent governors and/or councilors? To prevent the reinvention of the wheel(s).
Despite the importance of the latest initiative by Omaheke, there has been little about it in the media which raises the question of the disposition of the local media towards development issues. Not only in terms placating such development matters but if needs be questioning them to ensure that they are no less and no more than political gimmicks that some if not most of them have proven to have been. As opposed to the media infatuation with sensational ostensibly human rights issues as has lately been evidenced by the Supreme Court’s verdict on mixed couple and the recognition, upholding and application of their rights in Namibia.
But Omaheke is only a flash in the pan. Other regions across the country have also lately been endeavouring similarly. Testifying to the lack of a coherent plan to empower the youth, which is reflection of the neglect and dereliction countrywide of the regions which have never been extricated from the colonial status as economic backyards.
