Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Donald Matthys
Published on 2024-04-04 17:00:00
The Namibia Exile Kids Association (Neka) recently held its annual general meeting in Otjiwarongo, where they passed a resolution demanding more job opportunities for their unemployed members. This resolution highlights the ongoing struggle faced by these individuals to secure employment.
In the past, the ‘struggle kids’ have been successful in obtaining job placements, with examples such as 100 of them being hired by the Namibian Correctional Service in 2015, followed by 82 placements in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform in 2017. This demonstrates their history of demanding and sometimes receiving job opportunities.
However, not everyone is in agreement with this preferential treatment. Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) lawmaker Maximalliant Katjimune emphasized that all individuals should be equal before the law, and ‘struggle kids’ should not expect special treatment above other Namibian youth. This sentiment is echoed by the High Court’s ruling in 2021, which deemed the reserved public service positions for children of the liberation struggle as unlawful.
The infighting within Neka further complicates the situation, with Rauna Amutati, who claims to still be the president of Neka despite the disputed election at the annual general meeting. There are allegations of disruptions during the meeting, with some delegates challenging the decision-making process and the legitimacy of the election.
Moreover, financial discrepancies have emerged within the association, as Neka is unable to account for N$140,000 meant for the logistics of the annual general meeting at Otjiwarongo. The funds, which included donations from individual contributors and Swapo-related entities, were reportedly mishandled, leading to accusations of mismanagement and lack of transparency.
Despite these challenges, Neka continues to press for job opportunities for its members, seeking affiliation with the ruling party Swapo. However, the internal conflicts and financial accountability issues may hinder their efforts to address the unemployment crisis among ‘struggle kids.’
The resolution passed at the annual general meeting reflects the ongoing struggle faced by Neka members in securing employment opportunities. The demand for jobs has been a recurring theme for these individuals, with past successes but also challenges in achieving their goals. The internal discord and financial mismanagement within Neka add another layer of complexity to their efforts to address the unemployment issues affecting their community. Moving forward, it will be crucial for Neka to address these internal issues and work towards creating sustainable solutions for job creation and economic empowerment for its members.
Read the original article on The Namibian
