Windhoek
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology Mbeuta Ua-Ndjarakana says the N$5 million earmarked for this year’s independence celebrations is worth the events lined up.
The money would be spent on, among others, various exciting programmes that include live music performances and sport.
Last year before the 25th independence anniversary celebrations, which coincided with the swearing in of President Hage Geingob, the Rally for Democracy and Progress Youth League expressed disappointment in the government for “misusing public funds on non-essential events”.
Last year’s event cost a combined N$20 million. Ua-Ndjarakana said this year’s spending is minimal.
“We are spending for everything that each citizen of the Republic of Namibia will agree is worth the celebration, which is between N$3 million and N$5 million,” he told New Era yesterday.
“Last year was a big event, it cannot be compared. We went back to 2014 which is the normal low key independence celebration. We maintained the scale,” he defended.
On suggestions that the money could have been used to address other pressing issues affecting the country, he said: “We have families that have children going to school. When it is a child or mother’s birthday, do parents not buy a cake and a few drinks – even when they have not paid the whole school fees or covered medical expenses? It is human to feel good for something we have worked for. We are doing it in the spirit and culture of Namibia.”
He added that government is not doing anything outside the tradition or ordinary nature of its citizens.
“Government is doing something people do themselves. It is only that we are not going house-to-house and saying drop in a dollar per family, but it will still be the same thing. That is why we are inviting 25 000 people.”
“There will be more people in the regions with the support of regional and local business communities. Does it only become misuse or ill expenditure when it is done at the centre and not at the periphery? Otherwise, if that is the case, then we should not hear any celebrations in the entire country.”
According to the 2016/17 national budget, in which the allocation for the independence celebrations is listed, another N$5 million has been set aside for the Heroes Day commemoration on August 26.
When asked what he had to say to certain segments of society who do not attend such national events, he said attending a national event is voluntary.
“It is like going to church on Sunday and not all church members go to a church service on Sunday,” he said.
“We appreciate and encourage those who attend national events to rub that on their children from home and on their friends to bring out the full image of Namibia. We encourage and invite you to come out and be part of the nation. Namibia is the only country we can call home. We must have love for her activities and have joy over what we have achieved over the past 26 years,” he noted.