Stop insulting elders - Shiweda
The deputy agriculture minister says it's disheartening to observe the decaying of discipline among young people, including schoolgoing children.
Namibian youth run the risk of compromising the fruits of independence, if they continue on their “unacceptable behavioural trend” of insulting elders, especially on social media.
This is according to deputy agriculture minister Anna Shiweda, who was speaking at a belated Cassinga Day commemoration held this past weekend at Ondugu village in the Omusati Region.
She called on youth to exercise maximum discipline in order to equip and prepare themselves to take over the leadership of the country. Shiweda said that as Namibians reflect on 4 May 1978 and other painful events that occurred during the colonial occupation of Namibia, they are constantly being reminded to understand that the freedom, peace, security, stability and independence they enjoy were not given on a silver platter.
She said hundreds of Namibian sons and daughters lost their lives at Oshatotwa, Oshikuku, Epinga, Singalamwe, Shantuhu, Ondeshifilwa and many other places in Namibia, Angola and Zambia in 1978.
Even after 40 years, the Cassinga massacre still evokes the haunting and unforgettable memories of the pain and horror that our people endured, Shiweda said.
“Those sons and daughters selflessly gave their lives so that we can build a united, tolerant, inclusive and harmonious society, free from discrimination, tribalism and racism. They gave their lives so that we can reverse the injustices of the colonial past that have robbed our people of their dignity,” Shiweda said.
She said Namibians should learn valuable lessons from their history about the importance of unity and working together like their forefathers did.
“We should continue to harness the spirit of unity of our forefathers for the betterment of our country's future.”
She said Namibians should, therefore, strive to build a better society, free from all forms of discrimination that are contrary to the ideals of those who lost their lives during the course of the liberation struggle.
“In their honour we must join hands to combat poverty, expand and improve the provision of education, healthcare, housing, clean drinking water, electricity, sanitation, better infrastructure and other basic public amenities.”
Shiweda specifically urged the youth of the Tsandi constituency and the Omusati Region to take a serious interest in national activities and events in the country.
“I am pleading with them because they are the future leaders of our country, and whether they like it or not, they will have to take charge of the future of this country one day. Therefore, they must know the history of this country so that they can lead the country into the future.”
Shiweda further said it is saddening how young people today speak to and insult their elders, especially on social media.
“It is, equally, disheartening to observe the decaying of discipline among young people, including the schoolgoing children. These types of behaviours do not conform to the African tradition, cultural values and norms. Please stop imitating cultural practices that are foreign and that you do not understand,” she said.
“Therefore, if you are to take the mantle of leadership for the future, the time is now for you to change your behaviours by respecting your elders and listening to them when they speak to you, and by exercising maximum discipline at all times. This is the only way that you can equip and prepare yourself to take over the leadership of our country.”
Shiweda said that cultivating a culture of reading is a big challenge in Namibia.
“Taking reading as a hobby could keep you busy and keep you away from unbecoming behaviour, such as the consumption of alcohol or stealing that have increasingly, become serious problems among the youth in our country.”
ELLANIE SMIT
This is according to deputy agriculture minister Anna Shiweda, who was speaking at a belated Cassinga Day commemoration held this past weekend at Ondugu village in the Omusati Region.
She called on youth to exercise maximum discipline in order to equip and prepare themselves to take over the leadership of the country. Shiweda said that as Namibians reflect on 4 May 1978 and other painful events that occurred during the colonial occupation of Namibia, they are constantly being reminded to understand that the freedom, peace, security, stability and independence they enjoy were not given on a silver platter.
She said hundreds of Namibian sons and daughters lost their lives at Oshatotwa, Oshikuku, Epinga, Singalamwe, Shantuhu, Ondeshifilwa and many other places in Namibia, Angola and Zambia in 1978.
Even after 40 years, the Cassinga massacre still evokes the haunting and unforgettable memories of the pain and horror that our people endured, Shiweda said.
“Those sons and daughters selflessly gave their lives so that we can build a united, tolerant, inclusive and harmonious society, free from discrimination, tribalism and racism. They gave their lives so that we can reverse the injustices of the colonial past that have robbed our people of their dignity,” Shiweda said.
She said Namibians should learn valuable lessons from their history about the importance of unity and working together like their forefathers did.
“We should continue to harness the spirit of unity of our forefathers for the betterment of our country's future.”
She said Namibians should, therefore, strive to build a better society, free from all forms of discrimination that are contrary to the ideals of those who lost their lives during the course of the liberation struggle.
“In their honour we must join hands to combat poverty, expand and improve the provision of education, healthcare, housing, clean drinking water, electricity, sanitation, better infrastructure and other basic public amenities.”
Shiweda specifically urged the youth of the Tsandi constituency and the Omusati Region to take a serious interest in national activities and events in the country.
“I am pleading with them because they are the future leaders of our country, and whether they like it or not, they will have to take charge of the future of this country one day. Therefore, they must know the history of this country so that they can lead the country into the future.”
Shiweda further said it is saddening how young people today speak to and insult their elders, especially on social media.
“It is, equally, disheartening to observe the decaying of discipline among young people, including the schoolgoing children. These types of behaviours do not conform to the African tradition, cultural values and norms. Please stop imitating cultural practices that are foreign and that you do not understand,” she said.
“Therefore, if you are to take the mantle of leadership for the future, the time is now for you to change your behaviours by respecting your elders and listening to them when they speak to you, and by exercising maximum discipline at all times. This is the only way that you can equip and prepare yourself to take over the leadership of our country.”
Shiweda said that cultivating a culture of reading is a big challenge in Namibia.
“Taking reading as a hobby could keep you busy and keep you away from unbecoming behaviour, such as the consumption of alcohol or stealing that have increasingly, become serious problems among the youth in our country.”
ELLANIE SMIT
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