Erasmus Shalihaxwe
Social justice activist, Michael Amushelelo has warned that if the government fails to address the unemployment situation on time, unemployed people, especially the youth, will make things uncomfortable.
Amushelelo was addressing the parliamentary committee on constitutional and legal affairs during a consultative meeting at parliament on Thursday.
“Crime is a result of people not having an income, and if we keep ignoring unemployment, we will face serious danger. You should bear in mind that unemployed people have nothing to lose; you as members of Parliament and politicians, have your nice cars and live a comfortable life with your families. But unemployed people will make things uncomfortable for the government, they will make life uneasy if nothing is done,” he said.
The committee invited Amushelelo to clarify the requirements and expectations in a petition he submitted in March.
In the petition, Amushelelo demanded that parliament establish an unemployment fund similar to the one for veterans of the liberation struggle.
He said that high inequality in some countries, such as South Africa, contributes to their high crime rates, and Namibia could potentially face a similar situation if the government continues to ignore calls to address high unemployment.
Amushelelo proposed that foreign companies wishing to invest in Namibia should pay taxes to contribute to the unemployment fund and that the Social Security Commission should also contribute financially.
“The fund should be a buffer zone to help people get started somewhere; we can’t have young people idling and waiting for Vision 2030. Hungry people need food now, they can’t wait for 20 years to start eating,” said Amushelelo.
The committee chairperson, Kletus Karondo, questioned Amushelelo about where the money would come from to pay every unemployed Namibian.
Where does the money come from that is paid to veterans of the liberation struggle?” Amushelelo asked.
The activist is also demanding that the government pay every unemployed person N$250 000 to kickstart their own businesses.
Another committee member, Tjekero Tweya, questioned Amuselelo about how he arrived at that amount.
Amushelelo responded by saying that the veterans of the liberation struggle receive the same amount of money.
He believes that the government should treat people equally, as per the constitution, and give them equal opportunities.
“We should stop discriminating against our people. In this country, if you are between the ages of 18 and 59 and you are unemployed, then you are on your own. Because even when the police, NDF, and Namibian Correctional Services are recruiting, they only want people from the ages of 18 to 25,” he said.
