(ALLAFRICA) Namibia: Be Citizen, Buy Citizen - Shaanika

Namibia: Be Citizen, Buy Citizen - Shaanika
Jana-Mari Smith
26 July 2010

The Namibian Government, and especially the Tender Board of Namibia, came under fire on Saturday for their support of foreign companies over local ones.

Taarah Shaanika, Team Namibia Board Chairperson, accused Government, and in particular the Tender Board, of being the "biggest culprits" for giving the big jobs to foreign companies and denying local companies opportunities within the country's borders. He said "by keeping the dollar local, you can create jobs."

Shaanika said it was logical that Namibian companies "cannot compete with the Chinese" companies when it comes to offering prices, but that it is crucial "promote and support" local companies and enable them to create a local and export market.

"Do you want cheap or do you want to create jobs?" he asked, challenging Government "to make up their minds". "Are we serious about job creation?" he asked.

Shaanika, who is also the CEO of the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, was speaking frankly at a gala Team Namibia's launch of its third directory on Saturday night.

Dr Elijah Ngurare, Swapo Youth League Secretary, one of Team Namibia's chosen six 'Friends of Team Namibia', a flagship campaign launched this year, supported Shaanika's opinion and demanded that Government, and the Tender Board, where possible, be given to local companies.

"Let us rather empower our own people first. Be Namibian, buy Namibian", he demanded.

Dr Christina Swart-Opperman, another selected 'Friend of Team Namibia' added to the argument when she said that she believes "passionately" in the support of local companies.

She said it was critical, and up to the leaders of Namibia, to show trust in local products as this can "impact the future ... these initiatives give every Namibian the chance to become a nation builder."

Swart-Opperman suggested that joining Team Namibia, which provides a platform for local companies to stimulate demand and services, should be seen as part of every company's corporate social responsibility policy.

Yanna Erasmus, Team Namibia's general manager, said efforts to promote Namibian products require more than advertising and the guarantee of quality.

"They require a firm and unwavering sense of patriotism ..." she said.