The residents of Omuthiya have called on the government to ensure that it continues to render support to the country’s less fortunate.
Those who spoke to nbc News said they are looking forward to a reformed government that speaks to the needs of the people after the recent national elections.
It was a hive of activity at Omuthiya, which serves as a one-stop shop for travelers.
The residents here go about their daily business and rely on the informal market for their livelihood.
Competition is tight, but it is a market they cannot run away from whether they sell or not on certain days.
“We want new things in our country, so changes in Namibia. We want new things; that’s the reason why we are voting.”
“We are looking forward to great things in the future, great collaboration with leadership, good collaboration with government, and as young people, we understand that we need to ask what we can do for our country instead of asking what our country can do for us.”
“Progress in Omuthiya is moving at a snail’s pace; what we lack in Omuthiya is plots in town. It’s not easy to get an erf here in town. Even if businessmen and women want to build homes to sell to the public, it’s an uphill battle.”
The government’s intention of the conditional basic income grants, as well as early retirement, they say, would be an answer to unemployment.
“Who should get this basic income grant? Because that money everybody needs from 18 to 59. They mentioned that from 18 until 59, but now they want to leave a lot of people out; they have lots of requirements. As long as someone has a Namibian ID, it is clear you are Namibian. No one must be left out, so they cannot make requirements; it’s hunger time, totally hunger time. No one must be left out.”
“I want our government to reduce the retirement age from 60 to at least 50 because the country’s population has increased over the years. This will enable our children who are roaming the streets to get employed. At least the elders can go and cultivate the mahangu fields. That is the only way to bring change because the elders are employed while the youth have no jobs.”
With every election, the results bring about rekindled hope that those in the government’s top positions will fully represent the electorates and address their basic needs.