EDITORIAL: Lasting solution needed for homeless Angolans
The outburst of Angolan nationals who are temporarily housed at the National Youth Service hostel in Ondangwa yesterday should be a wake-up call for the government not to make decisions without duly consulting all those affected.
Deputy home affairs minister Lucia Witbooi faced a baptism of fire when she addressed the group yesterday, a sign that they are not happy with the decision to remove them from the streets where they eked a living.
While the government's initiative to round up the homeless Angolan nationals and house them at a public facility is commendable, it will always be short-lived if consultations do not take place.
Like any other decision-making process, if any of the stakeholders are not party to the decision, they will eventually revolt.
While we need a lasting solution to this matter, we should not fall into the trap of desperation by going for the low-hanging fruit.
The Namibian authorities must comprehensively discuss the matter with their Angolan counterparts. That is the only way this matter can be put to bed amicably.
Deputy home affairs minister Lucia Witbooi faced a baptism of fire when she addressed the group yesterday, a sign that they are not happy with the decision to remove them from the streets where they eked a living.
While the government's initiative to round up the homeless Angolan nationals and house them at a public facility is commendable, it will always be short-lived if consultations do not take place.
Like any other decision-making process, if any of the stakeholders are not party to the decision, they will eventually revolt.
While we need a lasting solution to this matter, we should not fall into the trap of desperation by going for the low-hanging fruit.
The Namibian authorities must comprehensively discuss the matter with their Angolan counterparts. That is the only way this matter can be put to bed amicably.
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Namibian Sun
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