Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Eino Vatileni
Published on 2024-04-18 14:24:17
Swapo backbencher Eliphas Dingara has caused a stir with his proposal that every Namibian should be given N$1 million, citing the country’s natural resources as justification for this. Dingara, who admitted he cannot be president, expressed his intention to bring this motion back to parliament. However, Swapo chief whip Hambyuka Hamunyera stated that Dingara did not have permission from the party to do so.
Political analyst Rui Tyitende criticized Dingara’s idea as impractical and potentially harmful to the economy. While acknowledging his intention to address the socio-economic challenges facing vulnerable groups, Tyitende deemed Dingara’s policy proposal as delusional.
In response, Dingara defended his research and discussions with the party, claiming that Swapo wanted to see the motion on the floor for approval. He remained confident that if given the opportunity to lead the country, he could turn his idea into reality.
Dingara outlined his plan, focusing on utilizing Namibia’s diamond reserves, which he estimated to be over N$26 trillion. He proposed mining N$3 trillion worth of diamonds to provide N$1 million to each qualifying Namibian once they reach the age of 25. Despite Dingara’s confidence in the feasibility of his plan, critics raised concerns about potential mismanagement of funds and inflationary impacts.
Economist Omu Kakujaha-Matundu questioned the practicality of Dingara’s idea, emphasizing the implications of injecting such a large sum of money into the economy. He highlighted the importance of considering how the beneficiaries would spend the money and the broader economic effects. Kakujaha-Matundu also noted the significance of understanding the ownership and control of Namibia’s resources.
Dingara’s aspiration to implement his plan if he were to become president was met with skepticism, as he acknowledged being “too small to run for the Presidency.” Despite his confidence in enacting the proposal within two years of assuming the presidency, Dingara faced doubts about his eligibility for such a role.
While Dingara’s proposal sparked debate and intrigue, the practicality and implications of his plan remain under scrutiny. Critics have raised concerns about potential economic risks and the need for a comprehensive analysis of the broader implications of distributing substantial wealth to Namibian citizens. The discussion surrounding Dingara’s idea underscores the complexities and challenges of addressing socio-economic disparities through resource distribution.
Read the original article on The Namibian
