Namibia Article in South African Newspaper!

[Michael Alexander]

LINK: http://www.weekendpost.co.za/opinion/article.aspx?id=592586

" Marvel at sense of order in Namibia

2010/08/09



I HAVE just returned from a fortnight in Namibia and can only marvel at what they are doing there.

Firstly one is immediately aware the pavements are clean and meant for pedestrians. Street vendors are simply not allowed on the sidewalks of Windhoek and there are specific places for vendors of genuine crafted goods in some of the arcades.

You don't pay for plastic bags in Namibia, and despite this there is no evidence of the trash and rubbish we have in South Africa despite our paying for bags.

The next thing you notice is the only people selling on a street corner are newspaper vendors. People are not allowed to stand at robots ducking and diving with cheap toys, sunglasses or flags.

Car guards are in evidence, but all have a bib identifying them as such, and there seems to be an unwritten rule about what you pay, $2 (R2) maximum.

On visiting a massive sand dune in Swakopmund deep in the desert where people sandski, yes indeed, there was a car guard. I swear that if one day we blow up the world with nuclear bombs, the sole survivors will be ants, cockroaches and car guards.

On two days in succession in Windhoek, we came across 15 to 20 trainee traffic officials being trained in point duty at one of the busy intersections. I can't remember seeing more than three or four traffic police in Port Elizabeth at any one time except when they are on strike or there is an accident in the Kentucky Chicken drive-through.

Come to think of it, I can't remember when I have ever seen a traffic official on point duty in PE.

Permanent roadblocks exist outside all the major centres such as Windhoek where cars are randomly stopped and checked. We were impressed by their good manners and cheerful disposition when we were stopped and given the once-over.

A visit to the Historical Museum is not to be missed as there is a great deal of very interesting Namibian history that precedes the South African involvement.

What is interesting is that in their constitution, the official language is English. They clearly are not going to waste taxpayers' money on trying to keep minority languages on life support. This decision is left to the minorities themselves.

Finally, it was such a pleasure not to have to experience the minibus taxi for two weeks. The Namibian taxi is a motor car with very big reference numbers painted on all sides for easy identification. The only minibus taxis are for long distance trips and a good bus infrastructure in Windhoek ensures no need for the dreaded taxi.

Seriously, after a visit to Namibia, you won't want to come back here. – Malcolm Dodds, Sherwood, Port Elizabeth"

[SandyB]

Mmm seems  things better in Nam ??? or //  wheres the catch ?/ only joking  ,, give due where its  earned ...