2013-08-30Mathias Haufiku THE much talked about Vision 2030 sounds like light years away, that is if you are ignorant enough to forget that the 2030 dream is already in its ninth year. It is true that nobody succeeds without government’s help, but you also cannot deny that government cannot succeed without the help of its people. The premise here is to be an industrialised nation by 2030 – it sounds farfetched but surely within reach. At times I sit at home and think, maybe we as Namibians misunderstand this Vision 2030 concept, I say this because we want to sit back and place the entire load on government. But if you look at the bigger picture, government’s role in reaching Vision 2030 is merely to put structures and support systems in place for its people who must then push the dream towards reality. Well, will you then disagree with me if say the structures and support systems are in place? If yes, then you are safe. If no, then you need to start visiting each and every state-owned enterprise, scrutinize and assess their missions and visions, and then you will change your perception. In essence, government has done its part if you ask me, policies are in place to protect local traders, bold budgets are there annually, state facilities and organizations such as Agriculture Bank (AgriBank), Development Bank of Namibia (DBN), Government Institutions Pensions Fund (GIPF) and many more SOE’s have been deliberately established to assist Namibians who wish to do something productive for their country. In a nutshell, government has put in place structures in the form of laws to protect consumers and to ensure that businesses thrive at all costs. Government has made strides in many areas to ensure the dream is realized within the specified timeframe and although there have been hiccups here and there – the state can be forgiven for failing to deliver at times. As a country, we have no reason not to be industrialized by 2030, simply because there are still untapped business opportunities, minerals and other developmental agendas that are dormant, waiting to be pursued by those willing to grasp the initiative. The big question is, are we creative enough as Namibian citizens to assist government to succeed? It’s forever, government this, government that! If the question is how much more do we want government to do, at the rate we are currently going – I’d say we want to continue being passengers on the Vision 2030 journey. But mark my word, if the people are the passengers, this vehicle will run out of fuel very soon. Unless we as Namibians take ownership of Vision 2030, the concept will merely be a pipedream. - Eewa By Mathias Haufiku 2013-08-30Mathias Haufiku
