The Minister of Environment and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, on Saturday advised fellow Namibians to refrain from abusing alcohol.
Speaking at the belated independence anniversary celebrations held at Lüderitz on Saturday, Shifeta reminded those in attendance that alcohol abuse destroys lives and ruins families.
In a World Health Organisation (WHO) report issued in 2014, Namibian women were ranked 6th as binge drinkers in Africa, beating women in Zimbabwe, Senegal, Congo and Chad.
They trailed women in South Africa and Zambia.
Shifeta lamented that “people are drinking too much”.
He further stressed that alcoholics cannot develop the country as most of their time is spent at alcohol outlets where they imbibe and squander their hard-earned money on drinks.
He stressed that alcoholics cannot think positively and they have no clue on how to develop the country.
He encouraged the future generation to take their education seriously, adding that education is very important and as future leaders and workers they can only develop Namibia if they are educated.
He said since education is free in Namibia young people should take advantage and prepare for the future by being educated.
Shifeta also blasted some criminals in South Africa of using the guise of xenophobia to steal, loot, maim and kill other Africans who migrated to that country.
He said xenophobic attacks in South Africa are a criminal act that should be condemned because they affect not only Namibians in that country but Africans from other countries on the continent as well.
Shifeta said xenophobia is not the policy of the African Union (AU) nor is it the policy of the South African government, but that a few malcontents are using xenophobia to attack others.
He urged young people to read and understand the constitution, as doing so will enable them to respect human rights and human dignity.
Lüderitz deputy mayor Helaria Mukapuli in her remarks said 25 years after independence Namibians “remain united and there is peace”.
She said because of the prevailing peace and stability Namibia is one of the most popular destinations in the world and therefore its citizens must uphold the existing peace and harmony.
Mukapuli also condemned the deadly xenophobic attacks in South Africa, saying that there is a strong need for Africa to embrace the culture of Ubuntu, which entails respect for other nationalities.