Let's keep our kids safe

The festive period is supposed to be a time of joy and happiness for families, after the hard grind of a year that is now nearing its end at break-neck speed.

Inevitably, however, danger lurks all around this time of the year - from car crashes, drownings and other tragedies that can turn the season-to-be-jolly into a nightmare.

Today we report that about half of the 711 rape cases reported in Namibia this year involved children. This is a shocking statistic, given that for years we saw Namibia as a safe nation, which was relatively immune from some of the atrocities that have bedevilled our neighbours in the region. These rape statistics should be a wake-up call to all parents to be extra careful and vigilant when it comes to their children during the festive season. This cannot be overemphasised, as we enter a period of partying and revelry. Our kids depend on us as adults to keep them safe and to be on the lookout for situations where they may potentially fall into the wrong hands. With this in mind, all law-abiding Namibians should play a role this festive season to keep our nation's children safe. We should all be alert, especially in public places, for instances where a child may be in danger or in harm's way. Sometimes, as right-thinking members of society, we forget that there are indeed sick individuals out there, who would not hesitate to take advantage of situations to their own benefit. Let us all adopt each other's young ones during the holiday period, whether it be at the village, beach or in our neighbourhoods. Taking joint responsibility for our kids' safety should be paramount at this time of the year. Even amid the unfolding jolliness, let our guard not be dropped when it comes to keeping an eagle-eye on our kids. They represent the reason why we slave away at our jobs all year, and losing them would be a life-destroying disaster.