Nujoma humbled by Venezuela recognition
Founding President Sam Nujoma said he was humbled to have been selected as the recipient of the honour which recognises the outstanding work of Venezuelans and foreign nationals.
The country’s first democratically elected leader was yesterday officially conferred the Order of Francisco de Miranda, in its first class by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro during a virtual ceremony held at State House. “I accept this award with humility on behalf of the Namibian people and other progressive people of the world, especially those who stood in solidarity with us during our liberation struggle for freedom and genuine independence,” Nujoma said.
The same honour was also conferred to former Mozambican president Joaquim Chissano, late ANC president Oliver Tambo, international relations minister Netumbo NandiNdaitwah, Zimbabwean defence minister Oppah Muchinguri and the secretary-general of the Organisation for Angolan Women, Luzia Inglés Van-Dúnem.
Nujoma thanked Maduro for the honour named after a selfless revolutionary Francisco de Miranda whose deeds, he said, will never be forgotten.
“Indeed, Francisco de Miranda is a Venezuelan revolutionary who helped to pave the way for independence in Latin America. He remains known as the forerunner of Simón Bolívar,” Nujoma stressed. Nujoma also took the opportunity to congratulate fellow recipients.
“This is an appeal from all those, throughout the world, who are seeking an end to all forms of injustices and oppression and it will consolidate the already existing good relations between Namibia and Venezuela and indeed with the entire African continent,” he said.
Nujoma further assured Maduro of Namibia’s support. “Namibia will always be in support of constructive and cooperative international dialogue with full regard for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and equality of nations in the interest of harmonious co-existence, peace and cooperation,” he said. “It is within this spirit that we continue to cooperate with Venezuela in multilateral platforms such as the Non-Aligned Movement, in advancing our shared ideals for greater integration to strengthen South-South Cooperation which we regard as an indispensable condition for sustainable development,” he added.
Nujoma said Namibia has a foreign policy grounded on the rule of law and democracy as fundamental values. “Namibian people emphasise the importance of Venezuela’s sovereignty and call on the international community not to interfere in Venezuela’s internal matters,” he said.
A union representing the interests of security guards yesterday criticised government ministries for continuously making delayed payments for services provided by their members.
The Namibia Security Guards and Watchmen’s Union (NASGWU) said it was disappointed at how government is treating security service providers.
The union’s secretary general, Andreas Haufiku, said most security service providers find themselves in a financial crunch due to late payments.
He added, as a result, security companies were labelled as bad employers due to them not paying their employees on time – and also failing to meet their financial obligations that are caused by some ministries.
“This has led to many security companies to be victims of the financial crisis, as they always rely on bank overdrafts, which becomes unbearable,” he stated.
“A lot has been said about the government contributing to the exploitation and neglect of the workers and by not considering the security sector as relevant at all.
At the same time, they are giving tenders to the lowest bidders that extremely do not comply and do not manage to pay a minimum wage in the sector.”
Haufiku claimed the culprits include the agriculture, water and land reform ministry; labour ministry, as well as the education and health ministries.
Upon enquiry, the executive directors of the health and agriculture ministries, Ben Nangombe and Percy Misika, respectively, both refuted the allegations, saying they have not received such complaints.