Swanu wants dagga decriminalised
According to Swanu, the current government has been found wanting and failed to lift people out of poverty, despite repeatedly promising to do so for 30 years.
The country's current administration only favours the powerful and rich, and remains unfair towards the poor living in rural areas, says Swanu president Dr Tangeni Iijambo.
Speaking at a party rally at Oshakati last weekend, Iijambo also made it clear that his party will decriminalise marijuana, which in his view will signal a bold step towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations. Iijambo said as a leader he wants to sincerely apologise for the declining economy, widespread and rising unemployment, growing inequality, poverty, rampant crime and the frustration that has gripped the country.
“You all know that the more seats you have in parliament, the more taxpayer dollars you get. I ask you fellow Namibians, is it fair? Is there a level playing field? The answer is a resounding no. Our system is deliberately designed to disadvantage the poor,” Iijambo insisted.
According to him the current government has been found wanting and failed to lift people out of poverty, despite repeatedly promising to do so for 30 years.
“Farmworkers of Namibia, domestic workers and our mothers and sisters, charcoal workers covered in black dust, taxi drivers, hawkers and small traders everywhere under the cruel and beating sun, kapana sellers hustling, petrol attendants, clerks in government, workers in the retail sector, our sisters and brothers employed by Checkers, Woermann Brock, Edgars, Style, Chinese sweatshops and others.
“I am sorry for failing to stand up for your rights and your human dignity. From today onwards, going forward, we so-called 'afyoona' must and should stand together,” he said. Iijambo also believes the country's leaders have failed the nation by refusing to speak up and stand with those who are suffering.
“It is our declaration of intent to you, not a promise, that from now on, going forward, you can count on our unwavering support to bring to life a truth and reconciliation commission, based on the principles of healing, forgiveness and penance, not recrimination and punishment, in order to bring about national healing and lasting peace,” Iijambo added.
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Speaking at a party rally at Oshakati last weekend, Iijambo also made it clear that his party will decriminalise marijuana, which in his view will signal a bold step towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations. Iijambo said as a leader he wants to sincerely apologise for the declining economy, widespread and rising unemployment, growing inequality, poverty, rampant crime and the frustration that has gripped the country.
“You all know that the more seats you have in parliament, the more taxpayer dollars you get. I ask you fellow Namibians, is it fair? Is there a level playing field? The answer is a resounding no. Our system is deliberately designed to disadvantage the poor,” Iijambo insisted.
According to him the current government has been found wanting and failed to lift people out of poverty, despite repeatedly promising to do so for 30 years.
“Farmworkers of Namibia, domestic workers and our mothers and sisters, charcoal workers covered in black dust, taxi drivers, hawkers and small traders everywhere under the cruel and beating sun, kapana sellers hustling, petrol attendants, clerks in government, workers in the retail sector, our sisters and brothers employed by Checkers, Woermann Brock, Edgars, Style, Chinese sweatshops and others.
“I am sorry for failing to stand up for your rights and your human dignity. From today onwards, going forward, we so-called 'afyoona' must and should stand together,” he said. Iijambo also believes the country's leaders have failed the nation by refusing to speak up and stand with those who are suffering.
“It is our declaration of intent to you, not a promise, that from now on, going forward, you can count on our unwavering support to bring to life a truth and reconciliation commission, based on the principles of healing, forgiveness and penance, not recrimination and punishment, in order to bring about national healing and lasting peace,” Iijambo added.
[email protected]
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