Struggle kids make corruption claims
Protesters camping in Oshakati are complaining about the selection for government training.
The 'children of the liberation struggle' camping at the Swapo Party office in Oshakati are accusing officials of favouritism and corruption in the selection of who goes for training.
Last week a group of struggle kids boarded two 75-seat buses to be taken to government training centres where they will acquire job skills.
In 2016 the government diverted about N$11 million from the Social Security Commission (SSC) Development Fund towards the children of the liberation struggle.
This was the second group of struggle kids sent for training. In July 2016 about 173 struggle kids from the northern regions started a six-month training course. Most of them are now employed.
This time around the boarding in Oshana Region took place at the youth centre in Oshakati and not at the Swapo offices.
The spokesperson for the group, Julius Kasheeta, told Namibian Sun that there was corruption in the selection of those who go for training.
“In 2016 the buses came at the Swapo office where they received a list of names from the group that camped there and they went for training but for us, we are treated differently. Why did they also not ask for our list and we go for training,” Kasheeta said.
“This just tells you that corruption is being used by those people who have the power to decide who goes for training and who remains,” Kasheeta charged.
He said their education level was considered in the selection process, which he found unfair.
“When our parents went into exile they were uneducated but it does not mean that they did not know what they wanted to achieve. They died for the independence of this country and therefore we should not be treated like uneducated people. We just want to go on training and get a job and help our families,” Kasheeta said. Kasheeta also asked why the youth cards they had received from the youth ministry were abolished. He said the latest batch of trainees had to show their national identification cards.
“All these things being done by government in addressing our issue is not fair. They have been registering us over and over, they even gave us a youth card and made promises to us.
“Today some of us have been left out and yet we talk about the Harambee Prosperity Plan which says that no one should feel left out,” Kasheeta said.
Oshana governor Clemens Kashuupulwa rejected the corruption claims by the struggle kids.
Kashuupulwa said since the first training intake discussions were held and resolutions were made which resulted in the changes mentioned by Kasheeta.
Kashuupulwa further explained that the issue of the struggle kids was being addressed through their constituency offices, where they are expected to register and the names were then sent to Windhoek for vetting and decision making.
“There is no corruption happening. The issue is not complicated at all. Those children of the liberation struggle camping at the Swapo offices are aware of all these things. They were told they must go to their respective constituencies and register there, they know all these things and yet they want to say we are corrupt,” Kashuupulwa said.
“They know that the buses will no longer come pick them up at Swapo offices, therefore they should not act surprised. They must just wait for their opportunity because this is not the last intake; it is a process and the government is going to ensure that the issue of unemployed youth in the country is addressed,” the governor said.
KENYA KAMBOWE
Last week a group of struggle kids boarded two 75-seat buses to be taken to government training centres where they will acquire job skills.
In 2016 the government diverted about N$11 million from the Social Security Commission (SSC) Development Fund towards the children of the liberation struggle.
This was the second group of struggle kids sent for training. In July 2016 about 173 struggle kids from the northern regions started a six-month training course. Most of them are now employed.
This time around the boarding in Oshana Region took place at the youth centre in Oshakati and not at the Swapo offices.
The spokesperson for the group, Julius Kasheeta, told Namibian Sun that there was corruption in the selection of those who go for training.
“In 2016 the buses came at the Swapo office where they received a list of names from the group that camped there and they went for training but for us, we are treated differently. Why did they also not ask for our list and we go for training,” Kasheeta said.
“This just tells you that corruption is being used by those people who have the power to decide who goes for training and who remains,” Kasheeta charged.
He said their education level was considered in the selection process, which he found unfair.
“When our parents went into exile they were uneducated but it does not mean that they did not know what they wanted to achieve. They died for the independence of this country and therefore we should not be treated like uneducated people. We just want to go on training and get a job and help our families,” Kasheeta said. Kasheeta also asked why the youth cards they had received from the youth ministry were abolished. He said the latest batch of trainees had to show their national identification cards.
“All these things being done by government in addressing our issue is not fair. They have been registering us over and over, they even gave us a youth card and made promises to us.
“Today some of us have been left out and yet we talk about the Harambee Prosperity Plan which says that no one should feel left out,” Kasheeta said.
Oshana governor Clemens Kashuupulwa rejected the corruption claims by the struggle kids.
Kashuupulwa said since the first training intake discussions were held and resolutions were made which resulted in the changes mentioned by Kasheeta.
Kashuupulwa further explained that the issue of the struggle kids was being addressed through their constituency offices, where they are expected to register and the names were then sent to Windhoek for vetting and decision making.
“There is no corruption happening. The issue is not complicated at all. Those children of the liberation struggle camping at the Swapo offices are aware of all these things. They were told they must go to their respective constituencies and register there, they know all these things and yet they want to say we are corrupt,” Kashuupulwa said.
“They know that the buses will no longer come pick them up at Swapo offices, therefore they should not act surprised. They must just wait for their opportunity because this is not the last intake; it is a process and the government is going to ensure that the issue of unemployed youth in the country is addressed,” the governor said.
KENYA KAMBOWE
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