Stop the discrimination - Iyambo

Vice-President Nickey Iyambo has condemned racial groupings in sport codes, government departments and even private companies. He also urged retrogressive Namibians to resign from the public domain if they cannot stop such behaviour. “We are steadfastly continuing the building of the Namibian House under the mantra of ‘One Namibia, One Nation’ and not ‘One Namibia, 11 Nations’,” he said. “Serve all Namibian people equally, whether rich or poor, black or white, San or Himba, and even foreigners. All should be served with respect and dignity as Namibians and visitors. There are no lesser Namibians or human beings in a progressive Namibia,” he said. Iyambo was speaking at the launch of the First National School Health Forum and website in Windhoek yesterday. The main objective of the forum is to raise school health awareness among leaders at national, regional and local level. It is also aimed at building better relationships for inter-sectoral cooperation, as well as improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the school health programme. “You may agree with me that the appeal of this programme is in its practical dimension. Accordingly, all school beginners will undergo medical examinations, screenings and immunisation where necessary,” he said. That would ensure that children with health problems, including vision, hearing, movement and psycho-social issues, are referred to medical practitioners. “Those who are under- or malnourished or overweight will be linked up with professional nutritionists or dieticians from the Ministry of Health and Social Services and the school feeding programme,” he added. Iyambo said international and national development partners could assist where Namibia has shortcomings. That could include learning materials, information and basic amenities including water and sanitation. “It is beyond doubt that healthy learners will do better in school. Therefore ensuring learners’ wellbeing is a prerequisite for favourable outcomes in education,” he said. JEMIMA BEUKES