Pilot study to focus on societal problems faced by veterans
- Community and Culture
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- Hilma Hashange
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A pilot survey which focuses on the effects the National Liberation Struggle had on veterans was launched last week.
The Short-Term Consultancy on Spiritual and Psychosocial Problem Identification Pilot Survey was launched by Dr Nicky Iyambo, Minister of Veterans Affairs.
The pilot study will look at the veterans who were left traumatised as a result of the National Liberation Struggle and also focuses on the continued moral and social decay among members of society in general. The aim of the pilot study is to develop appopriate responses for the veterans experiencing psychosocial problems.
“The struggle for independence, both from inside and outside the country, was long and bitter and the after effects of the war has left many people with economic, social, health and psychological problems which can be observed every day in the lives of many of our people. Therefore, the programmes and projects initiated and implemented are to specifically ensure the overall economic and social wellbeing of veterans and their dependants,” Dr Iyambo said.
Iyambo highlighted that putting emphasis on the veterans and their plight did not mean that they were the only ones who were and are affected by the aftermath of the war, because all people suffered the same brutality at the hands of the colonisers and are living with the trauma.
According to the Veterans Minister, the Khomas region was selected as the basis for the pilot study because it was seen as a cosmopolitan region where people from all regions are represented.
He said that the pilot study was an initiative by the Ministry in terms of the Veterans Act, 2008 (Act No. 2 of 2008).
Iyambo said that such a programme is needed because of the absence of targeted spiritual and psychological counseling services to communities.
The information acquired through the pilot project will be used to develop appropriate psychosocial intervention programmes, preferably in cooperation with other organisations that are well vested in the area.
Some of the objectives of the Short-Term Consultancy in the Khomas region will be to create awareness among veterans and the larger population on the importance of counseling and other spiritual and psychosocial support services that will enable them to live a normal life and contribute to the development of Namibia, to identify the psychosocial problems and the magnitude of such problems that these veterans live with, and also to recommend possible interventions to address such problems.
“Now that we have attained our independence, the struggle is not yet over because we are faced with the struggle for economic and social emancipation. We need to coordinate our efforts and come up with focused interventions geared towards a national response to address the psychosocial problems of our people,” Iyambo urged.
The groundwork of the project started on 27 September 2010 with the “Stakeholders’ Consultative Workshop on Counseling Services to Veterans of the National Liberation Struggle”.
Meatco Foundation hands over first project
- Community and Culture
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- Waldo
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The Meatco Foundation officially handed over its first project to its beneficiaries in the Kavango region last week. The project comprised the drilling of two boreholes to supply water to eight smallholder farmers in the Mbunza area in the region.
The area is known for the vast distances farmers are required to travel to reach water points, which is a major challenge for agricultural development in the area.
Several dignitaries were present to witness the handover, including the governor of the Kavango Region, Maurus Nekaro, the chief of Mbunza, Alfons Kaundo and the regional councillor for the Kapako Constituency, Frieda Siwombe. Also present were the donors, the chairperson of the Meatco Foundation, Helmut Angula and several members of the community.
Speaking at the event, Governor Nekaro said that 940 190 hectares of land suitable for commercial agriculture lies un-utilised or under-utilised in the Kavango region.
He said that the situation could be attributed to the water situation in the region.
Sanlam donates to Women at Work
- Community and Culture
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- Waldo
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Sanlam Namibia, as part of its corporate social responsibility, donated N$20 000 to Women at Work, a non-profit organisation that aims to provide skills training and development to women.
The donation took place at the fourth graduation ceremony of the organisation where several women were awarded with certificates upon completing a series of practical training in Home Management, Cleaning and Hospitality.
“Sanlam Namibia is honoured to be associated with an organisation that exists for the sole purpose of providing key developmental skills to Namibian women from disadvantaged backgrounds. The provision of key practical tools will enable women to gain self-confidence which enables them to create a positive and safe future for themselves, and pull themselves out of poverty,” said Theresia Tjihenuna, marketing and communications consultant at Sanlam during the handover.
Chantel Stroh, general manager of Women at Work, expressed her gratitude to Sanlam and said that the donation will go a long way in contributing towards the organisation’s main objective, which is to sharpen women’s skills in order to improve their lives for the better.
Poly accommodates people with disability
- Community and Culture
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- Yvonne Amukwaya
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The Polytechnic of Namibia and the National Disability Council of Namibia signed a memorandum of understanding this week. The agreement is aimed at assisting the learning institution to better accommodate and implement programmes accessible to persons with disability.
The Polytechnic, through its Centre for Entrepreneurship Development, will provide capacity building initiatives in areas such as a disability mainstreaming programme, computer literacy, and training such individuals in disability law programmes.
Martin Limbo, director of the National Disability Council, said that the memorandum of understanding between the two parties will assist all people with disability and other beneficiaries to acquire desired skills in areas such as disability mainstreaming, various capacity building and skills training programmes, basic entrepreneurship training programmes, information technology as well as computer literacy.
“This agreement is not only aimed at empowering those people living with disability but it also seeks to create an enabling and friendly environments for the disabled,” said Limbo. He said the purpose of this agreement is not only meant to benefit people with disabilities but intends to benefit various other senior public sector practitioners.
Film takes critical look at Africa
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- Waldo
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AfricAvenir is showcasing a fascinating tale at Studio 77 on Saturday 26 May as part of commemorating Africa Day. The tale revolves around what Africa has achieved.
“Fifty years of independence and they promised us happiness and prosperity. But still young Africans climb into simple wooden boats to cross the desert and sea towards Eldorado. Why? What are the reasons and how did it come this far?” These are questions asked in Didier Awadi’s ‘Lions point of view’.
In the film, Awadi interviews ex presidents and ministers, important UN officials, writers, artists, lay migrants and refugees. All these people analyse the situation of their continent and the result is a decidedly Pan-African, deliberately subjective and revolutionary documentary whose power of impact leaves little to be desired.
Awadi, who directs the film, is undoubtedly the most visible figure of French-speaking African rap. He has shown his sense of Pan Africanism, tackling a host of crucial issues such as debt, a dilapidated heritage and political tensions.
