WE ARE A NATION IN CRISIS

Sir,
 
Allow me to forward my views on the current state of our country. There is a high unemployment rate, our children are starving in schools, poverty is soaring, drugs keep running out in health facilities, commodities such as electricity and water are becoming an issue in government offices and government is owing its suppliers. It’s just too much.

We are a nation in crisis and it is painful seeing how our country is faring on the journey to 2022 which is just four years away. We can’t be a First World country with a high unemployment rate which is even affecting our graduates.

We are a country rich in minerals but that particular industry is not being developed. What is keeping investors from investing in local mining? Government has to review its policies and make them conducive enough for international investors. Our children are starving in schools where water is also sometimes scarce; that’s another serious issue.

In a country where more than half of the population lives in poverty, you can imagine how some children leave home with the hope of getting a meal at school. And then we expect them not to drop out and seek jobs (which are also scarce). If this is allowed to go on, what will happen to the crime rate?

What is funny about all the aforementioned issues is that our politicians are among the highest paid in the SADC region. Our country spends millions, if not billions, on luxury vehicles, mansions and entertainment allowances while government says there is no money for drugs in clinics and for food in schools.

What is the use of a E2 million vehicle in a poverty stricken country? In a cash-strapped country, is an entertainment allowance a crucial commodity for politicians? But whenever they say they will tighten their belts, they look for areas where they can slash money to reduce spending, hence our schools and clinics suffer. Why don’t they look home and slash their own cash?

Why let the underprivileged suffer every time they come up with a solution? Politicians are literally crippling this country. We are not even a Second World country but they are earning top notch salaries.

They are earning too much. And money in politics corrupts one’s mind and focus, which is why, I believe, wealthy countries don’t provide hefty salaries for politicians even for their presidents.

It is mostly countries which seem to be facing financial hurdles where politicians are highly paid. Ironically, these are the same nations where corruption and poverty are rife. Give them a taste of money, they will want more. We are attached to luxury and government, seemingly, does not have an issue with that because it is used to it and only a minority benefits from that luxury. And the problem lies on not listening to the people.

Our politicians don’t listen to what we say, they are interested in the positive things we have to say about them. Once you say something which is the interest of the people, they are quick to silence you with phrases bordering on terrorism. When money is mentioned, they are quick to say there’s no money yet their pay has never been delayed but civil servants were once threatened with delayed salaries. Complain about the system, you are being disrespectful, complain about their lavish lifestyles, it is said unemona. This is unfair and the country will continue to languish in difficulties unless politicians change their attitude.

Linda N

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