Wednesday 29 April 2015
Sunday 26 April 2015
CRITICISING WITHOUT OFFERING A SOLUTION - A SYNDROME FACING MANY OF US IN NAMIBIA!
Some Namibians are so good at criticizing and can do so for a full day, weeks, months and even years. But, you know what, they offer little or not solution at all.
I have observed with keen interest that some of us seem to be so over qualified in criticizing, at times not even understanding the subject or context of it, and while talking against the subject matter does not really matter, it is disheartening to know that those so loud about a particular issue have no option or alternative to it. There seem to be satisfaction of joining the bandwagon, and be part of groups, even if one has not carefully understood why the uprising or opposition to a particular subject matter.
This syndrome, which has not turned into a chronic disease for some has been contracted by many across the board, whether in a business, at community, family or friend level. And it is killing some parts of our fabric depending where that manifests itself. The worse thing is that - until you "click or get it", you might not realize that you are also in that trap.
Most of the time, an issue or a subject is raised, and quickly, a person jumps to it in opposition, but without even thinking or understanding the impact of what is meant and when you ask what the option could be or why even the objection, that person might not even given you the reasons why he or she is opposing that.
Yes, no one is expected to immediately or just say yes to something - infact he or she must first understand what is meant, and do some quick cost and benefit analysis or advantages versus advantages or something to that effect. At times we do not have background to what has been meant, but still we are the loudest in objecting but without offering a better solution.
I may also have been part of that group that might have blindly criticized some issues, but at least I am coming to my senses and have made it a point to always have an option to something I am thinking is not working - according to my views.
This post is therefore aimed at encouraging some of those who are at least open minded to pause and think about how they will assist situation next, by not only being the loudest in opposition but also be ready to offer solutions.
This is the only way we Namibians can minimize this disease of which many of its sufferers are not aware of yet -- some type of diagnoses need to be presented to them and treatment be prescribed that if you oppose something offer an alternative, otherwise, in the end, you have basically not made any worth contribution about from expressing you dislike.
Yeah, again this post is not aimed at a particular person, it is basically meant to contribute to making great input - as they do in the debating fora -- another speaker will saying something - and the opposite group will air its objection but with reasons.
And one does not necessarily need to agree to what is being said, but at least one has to respect the view of the other person - and that is said to be agree to disagree...
This post is important is so key mainly to young people who are leaders of now and beyond... one does not want to see a young one just criticizing or growing up just opposing issues but not offering alternative, as that is not a good example to fellow youth.
So, next time you criticize something, offer a solution and don't just talk for the sake of talking.... let's help one another - we are learning everyday - by sharing ideas... thanks
The author of this post has expressed the views as an individuals Namibian - and leader who is especially helping the youth to grow in various respects. This is advice-sharing - for those who need this, especially the young ones. Thanks for having taken a minute to scan through this post.
I have observed with keen interest that some of us seem to be so over qualified in criticizing, at times not even understanding the subject or context of it, and while talking against the subject matter does not really matter, it is disheartening to know that those so loud about a particular issue have no option or alternative to it. There seem to be satisfaction of joining the bandwagon, and be part of groups, even if one has not carefully understood why the uprising or opposition to a particular subject matter.
This syndrome, which has not turned into a chronic disease for some has been contracted by many across the board, whether in a business, at community, family or friend level. And it is killing some parts of our fabric depending where that manifests itself. The worse thing is that - until you "click or get it", you might not realize that you are also in that trap.
Most of the time, an issue or a subject is raised, and quickly, a person jumps to it in opposition, but without even thinking or understanding the impact of what is meant and when you ask what the option could be or why even the objection, that person might not even given you the reasons why he or she is opposing that.
Yes, no one is expected to immediately or just say yes to something - infact he or she must first understand what is meant, and do some quick cost and benefit analysis or advantages versus advantages or something to that effect. At times we do not have background to what has been meant, but still we are the loudest in objecting but without offering a better solution.
I may also have been part of that group that might have blindly criticized some issues, but at least I am coming to my senses and have made it a point to always have an option to something I am thinking is not working - according to my views.
This post is therefore aimed at encouraging some of those who are at least open minded to pause and think about how they will assist situation next, by not only being the loudest in opposition but also be ready to offer solutions.
This is the only way we Namibians can minimize this disease of which many of its sufferers are not aware of yet -- some type of diagnoses need to be presented to them and treatment be prescribed that if you oppose something offer an alternative, otherwise, in the end, you have basically not made any worth contribution about from expressing you dislike.
Yeah, again this post is not aimed at a particular person, it is basically meant to contribute to making great input - as they do in the debating fora -- another speaker will saying something - and the opposite group will air its objection but with reasons.
And one does not necessarily need to agree to what is being said, but at least one has to respect the view of the other person - and that is said to be agree to disagree...
This post is important is so key mainly to young people who are leaders of now and beyond... one does not want to see a young one just criticizing or growing up just opposing issues but not offering alternative, as that is not a good example to fellow youth.
So, next time you criticize something, offer a solution and don't just talk for the sake of talking.... let's help one another - we are learning everyday - by sharing ideas... thanks
The author of this post has expressed the views as an individuals Namibian - and leader who is especially helping the youth to grow in various respects. This is advice-sharing - for those who need this, especially the young ones. Thanks for having taken a minute to scan through this post.
Saturday 4 April 2015
"No Namibian must feel left out: - when you hear this slogan, you will immediately think of Namibia's President, Dr Hage Geingob.
"No Namibian should feel left out".
This has become the President of Namibia's key signature word (including "Omake"of course) as he beckons everyone one to be part of the prosperity team - unity in diversity.
It actually reminded me of the NBC World Leadership Programme that my employer hosts for the workers - where the facilitators - NBC Board Chairperson, Sven Thieme and NBC Director General Albertus Aochamub ask participants about the legacy certain leaders left behind. For example, if one saw the photo of Namibia's Founding Father of the Nation, Dr Sam Nujoma, one would immediately think of Namibia's liberations struggle and freedom, the same with South Africa's late President, one will immediately associated him with that country's freedom or USA's last JF Kennedy who was associated with having landed someone on the moon. This is also the same with our current President, Dr Geingob, although he is less than a month in the office, when one thinks about him, he can already be associated with - "No Namibian should feel left out" in the country's prosperity and all. And I am sure a lot is still in store for that purpose.
Now, back to the slogan of No One Should Feel left Out.......the purposes of this post.
How do we drive this trade mark home, right to the grassroots and ensure that each Namibian embraces is and whenever he or she is doing something must consider this important saying?
As I try to be creatively reflect on it, I am proposing that we CASCADE this inclusivity slogan to our various settings - regions, towns communities, work places, and families to ensure that everyone who forms part of a particular fabric is not left out, but included in whatever is meant for Namibia.
For example:
At the WORK PLACE we can say - just my thoughts as a Namibian right? Kindly do not interpret it differently, it is basically meant for the context I highlighted.
"No NBC employee should feel left out"
And the list can go with other work places, I just mentioned my work place as an example
In a particular REGIONS we could say:
"No Khomas Region Resident must feel left out".
In a TOWN OR CITY we could say:
"No Windhoek City Resident should feel left out"
In a COMMUNITY we could say:
"No Mondesa Community resident should feel left out" or
"No Katutura Community Member, or Donkerhoek Community member should feel left out".
"No Pionierspark Community member or Windhoek West Community members should feel left out".
At the FAMILY level we could say:
"No Muinjo Family Member" or "No Samuehls Family Member should feel left out".
This way, I am thinking we can give this "prosperity" slogan a deep and practical meaning as each one of us will have to entrench that.
Yeah, again, that was just my personal thought as I reflect on the way forward - being an excited member of the prosperity team member or resident of Namibia.
I love face-book as it really gives an opportunity for a person to express one's thoughts - at least positive thoughts which can be shared with others.
This has become the President of Namibia's key signature word (including "Omake"of course) as he beckons everyone one to be part of the prosperity team - unity in diversity.
It actually reminded me of the NBC World Leadership Programme that my employer hosts for the workers - where the facilitators - NBC Board Chairperson, Sven Thieme and NBC Director General Albertus Aochamub ask participants about the legacy certain leaders left behind. For example, if one saw the photo of Namibia's Founding Father of the Nation, Dr Sam Nujoma, one would immediately think of Namibia's liberations struggle and freedom, the same with South Africa's late President, one will immediately associated him with that country's freedom or USA's last JF Kennedy who was associated with having landed someone on the moon. This is also the same with our current President, Dr Geingob, although he is less than a month in the office, when one thinks about him, he can already be associated with - "No Namibian should feel left out" in the country's prosperity and all. And I am sure a lot is still in store for that purpose.
Now, back to the slogan of No One Should Feel left Out.......the purposes of this post.
How do we drive this trade mark home, right to the grassroots and ensure that each Namibian embraces is and whenever he or she is doing something must consider this important saying?
As I try to be creatively reflect on it, I am proposing that we CASCADE this inclusivity slogan to our various settings - regions, towns communities, work places, and families to ensure that everyone who forms part of a particular fabric is not left out, but included in whatever is meant for Namibia.
For example:
At the WORK PLACE we can say - just my thoughts as a Namibian right? Kindly do not interpret it differently, it is basically meant for the context I highlighted.
"No NBC employee should feel left out"
And the list can go with other work places, I just mentioned my work place as an example
In a particular REGIONS we could say:
"No Khomas Region Resident must feel left out".
In a TOWN OR CITY we could say:
"No Windhoek City Resident should feel left out"
In a COMMUNITY we could say:
"No Mondesa Community resident should feel left out" or
"No Katutura Community Member, or Donkerhoek Community member should feel left out".
"No Pionierspark Community member or Windhoek West Community members should feel left out".
At the FAMILY level we could say:
"No Muinjo Family Member" or "No Samuehls Family Member should feel left out".
This way, I am thinking we can give this "prosperity" slogan a deep and practical meaning as each one of us will have to entrench that.
Yeah, again, that was just my personal thought as I reflect on the way forward - being an excited member of the prosperity team member or resident of Namibia.
I love face-book as it really gives an opportunity for a person to express one's thoughts - at least positive thoughts which can be shared with others.
Friday 3 April 2015
Just a reminder, that your right ends where the other's begins - this is so key in this world of digital opportunities!
Recently, I shared the same reminder with fellow "Toast Masters" at a workshop held in Windhoek and with about 100 different professionals at the Digital Opportunities Conference in East London, South Africa.
As a staunch online/web user/lover, I find myself so much addicted to enjoy the digital opportunities that are in our midst. This is basically referring to the platforms the internet revolution has brought about, access to internet infrastructure, affordability and the fact that government has now also made it easier by setting the minimum wage for both farm workers and domestic workers, enabling them to earn a living wage. This means, if a domestic worker earns over N$1 200.00 from this month and a farmer worker having been earning at least N$800.00, they can afford to buy a sim card of N$30 dollars and a minimum airtime recharge voucher of N$5.00 (Namibia's currency is pegged to the SA Rand, therefore the value is one on one).
Also, if you can remember, in October 2010 during its Mixa-Live Event, MTC celebrated 10 decades of existence and confirmed that it had 1.5 million customers on its data base then, and mind you, Namibia's population then was still at 2.1 million and not at the current 2.3 million (latest data of 2013). Yes, I am aware that there was concerns that some of the clients on the same data base could be having two or three mobile phones, but yes, that's doesn't really matter much for the purpose of this post. What I am trying to depict is basically to say, more Namibians in the country are surely having access to the mobile phones and therefore internet depending on what they used it for most. From the Digital Opportunity Index as confirmed by the International Telecommunication Union, ITU, Namibia's 13.9 per cent of the current population uses the internet. To determine if a country is having the reasonable digital opportunities, the ITU website - and in line with the World Summit on Information Ethics held in Geneva in 2007 stated that the yardstick is between zero and one, and if a country is rated on one it means, it has digital opportunities.
With all that said, my focus is still on the fact that now that so many of us have these opportunities - free as long as you have airtime to use your internet infrastructure, what about the INFORMATION ETHICS of using such platforms?
Those in the media know that there are certain ethics, media ethics that a journalist must adhere to before creating, gathering, disseminate or archive or destroy some information, media ethics. In journalism, we talk about gate keeping - but now that each one has almost become a journalist, writer and author, blogger and vlogger, who is ensuring that the digital opportunity ethics are adhered to, at personal and professional level? That is why I am saying - your right still ends where the other's begins, and therefore, you -and I have to implement some type of ethics not to encroach on other people's rights.
Yes, there is no problem - with digital opportunities - they are so great - and have changed our lives for the better - both at professional and personal level - these days, an NBC decoder can give you your TV Channels and Radio at the same time - this was not the case before - you can also access the NBC programmes via streaming wherever you are in the world ... you as a citizen or digital enthusiast like me can also directly get in touch with any media house by texting or whats-apping to them on an issue and get your feedback in real time - you can ireport - and can also send pictures to any media house etc... there is so much to mention - print media nowadays can also have their sound or audio visual on their website - unlike before when they would only focus on print - at personal level, you SMS your loved ones - Skype or instagram to find out how they are doing - you can e-wallet or e-learn or do almost everything ... but the big question is -who is helping those who need help to ethically use these digital opportunities?
As you can remember - here in Namibia - a video of a young lady involved in private and bedroom activities was reportedly being circulated - knowingly or unknowingly of potential implications. This is pure un-ethical way of engaging in digital opportunities? How would you feel if you the footage had you or your loved one in the audio visuals circulated, but worse of all, such an act could have legal implications?
Also, a picture of one of our young person who was shot in a reported clash with law enforcement was again circulated in no time on the web - even without knowing if the next of kin knew about this matter - and for those trained in the media professional, such actions have to be gate-kept and all aspects verified before the information is disseminated.
I know that there are a number of many other posts on the various pages whose legality has not been authenticated or verified - and it needs you and me to help out one another to be aware of where our rights end and the rights of others start.
Who is protecting our children against pornographic posts on these digital opportunities? Who is advising especially the new comers in this industry and young users that there are some vulnerable groups out there - that we have to be mindful of when posting our content.
Again, the digital opportunities have improved so much and help especially many professionals to be on their toes - to ensure that they give good quality and relevant content to retain their audiences and buyers and attract new ones - many of the newsrooms do get their story leads from the web -- and anyone can actually nowadays post their own content especially if they cannot get space in the traditional media when it comes to their editorial policies, but at the same time, we have to work out some frameworks for personal and professional use when it comes to using the multimedia platforms.
Let's hold hands - and share ideas on how to properly benefit from these various digital opportunities - without hurting others. It is us who need to help instil the ethics among our various groups, at home, work, community and country.
The media houses - as I always say must also adapt to the digital opportunities and ensure that their editorial policy guidelines attend to new ways -- on the other hand, us at personal level must also have some guiding principles as to why we want to make use of the digital opportunities - to tell the truth or to do the opposite?
With climate change, everyone is expected to adapt, why no doing the same with the digital opportunities. One good example that one must use is - whenever a passenger boards a flight, the flight attendants reminds even the frequent flyers to observe the safety features --- and I am also saying, before each one of us makes use of the online platforms - face book, twitter, instagram, Skype and all - may be it is time that we also thin about our personal and professional ethics to remind us why we are making use of such opportunities, what are we trying to achieve? And our motto and mandate will then guide us in whatever we post on our pages.
Yes, we might have made mistakes before - and I am not excluded from this one, but we still have time to change for the better - therefore, let's keep on reminding ourselves that our rights end where others' right begin.
Also, for the sake of those who might not know - watch out that there is something called photo-shop, where a photo amongst others can be magicked if I may use this word - worked and changed and fit on any body - e.g. the face can be yours but the other features might not be yours - and then posted. And for those who might not know, you might be so shocked to see that you or your loved one is posted as doing funny things --- yeah, this is just a hint - and all these things only happened if we do not implement the concept that my right ends where yours begins..
Enjoy the digital opportunities, and don't forget to be digital opportunities ethics wise.
Disclaimer, I wrote this post in my personal capacity - as a Namibian and an Online Ethusiast who is eager to share with fellow users the need to be ethical each time we put our fingers on any digital opportunity gadget buttons to post something.
As a staunch online/web user/lover, I find myself so much addicted to enjoy the digital opportunities that are in our midst. This is basically referring to the platforms the internet revolution has brought about, access to internet infrastructure, affordability and the fact that government has now also made it easier by setting the minimum wage for both farm workers and domestic workers, enabling them to earn a living wage. This means, if a domestic worker earns over N$1 200.00 from this month and a farmer worker having been earning at least N$800.00, they can afford to buy a sim card of N$30 dollars and a minimum airtime recharge voucher of N$5.00 (Namibia's currency is pegged to the SA Rand, therefore the value is one on one).
Also, if you can remember, in October 2010 during its Mixa-Live Event, MTC celebrated 10 decades of existence and confirmed that it had 1.5 million customers on its data base then, and mind you, Namibia's population then was still at 2.1 million and not at the current 2.3 million (latest data of 2013). Yes, I am aware that there was concerns that some of the clients on the same data base could be having two or three mobile phones, but yes, that's doesn't really matter much for the purpose of this post. What I am trying to depict is basically to say, more Namibians in the country are surely having access to the mobile phones and therefore internet depending on what they used it for most. From the Digital Opportunity Index as confirmed by the International Telecommunication Union, ITU, Namibia's 13.9 per cent of the current population uses the internet. To determine if a country is having the reasonable digital opportunities, the ITU website - and in line with the World Summit on Information Ethics held in Geneva in 2007 stated that the yardstick is between zero and one, and if a country is rated on one it means, it has digital opportunities.
With all that said, my focus is still on the fact that now that so many of us have these opportunities - free as long as you have airtime to use your internet infrastructure, what about the INFORMATION ETHICS of using such platforms?
Those in the media know that there are certain ethics, media ethics that a journalist must adhere to before creating, gathering, disseminate or archive or destroy some information, media ethics. In journalism, we talk about gate keeping - but now that each one has almost become a journalist, writer and author, blogger and vlogger, who is ensuring that the digital opportunity ethics are adhered to, at personal and professional level? That is why I am saying - your right still ends where the other's begins, and therefore, you -and I have to implement some type of ethics not to encroach on other people's rights.
Yes, there is no problem - with digital opportunities - they are so great - and have changed our lives for the better - both at professional and personal level - these days, an NBC decoder can give you your TV Channels and Radio at the same time - this was not the case before - you can also access the NBC programmes via streaming wherever you are in the world ... you as a citizen or digital enthusiast like me can also directly get in touch with any media house by texting or whats-apping to them on an issue and get your feedback in real time - you can ireport - and can also send pictures to any media house etc... there is so much to mention - print media nowadays can also have their sound or audio visual on their website - unlike before when they would only focus on print - at personal level, you SMS your loved ones - Skype or instagram to find out how they are doing - you can e-wallet or e-learn or do almost everything ... but the big question is -who is helping those who need help to ethically use these digital opportunities?
As you can remember - here in Namibia - a video of a young lady involved in private and bedroom activities was reportedly being circulated - knowingly or unknowingly of potential implications. This is pure un-ethical way of engaging in digital opportunities? How would you feel if you the footage had you or your loved one in the audio visuals circulated, but worse of all, such an act could have legal implications?
Also, a picture of one of our young person who was shot in a reported clash with law enforcement was again circulated in no time on the web - even without knowing if the next of kin knew about this matter - and for those trained in the media professional, such actions have to be gate-kept and all aspects verified before the information is disseminated.
I know that there are a number of many other posts on the various pages whose legality has not been authenticated or verified - and it needs you and me to help out one another to be aware of where our rights end and the rights of others start.
Who is protecting our children against pornographic posts on these digital opportunities? Who is advising especially the new comers in this industry and young users that there are some vulnerable groups out there - that we have to be mindful of when posting our content.
Again, the digital opportunities have improved so much and help especially many professionals to be on their toes - to ensure that they give good quality and relevant content to retain their audiences and buyers and attract new ones - many of the newsrooms do get their story leads from the web -- and anyone can actually nowadays post their own content especially if they cannot get space in the traditional media when it comes to their editorial policies, but at the same time, we have to work out some frameworks for personal and professional use when it comes to using the multimedia platforms.
Let's hold hands - and share ideas on how to properly benefit from these various digital opportunities - without hurting others. It is us who need to help instil the ethics among our various groups, at home, work, community and country.
The media houses - as I always say must also adapt to the digital opportunities and ensure that their editorial policy guidelines attend to new ways -- on the other hand, us at personal level must also have some guiding principles as to why we want to make use of the digital opportunities - to tell the truth or to do the opposite?
With climate change, everyone is expected to adapt, why no doing the same with the digital opportunities. One good example that one must use is - whenever a passenger boards a flight, the flight attendants reminds even the frequent flyers to observe the safety features --- and I am also saying, before each one of us makes use of the online platforms - face book, twitter, instagram, Skype and all - may be it is time that we also thin about our personal and professional ethics to remind us why we are making use of such opportunities, what are we trying to achieve? And our motto and mandate will then guide us in whatever we post on our pages.
Yes, we might have made mistakes before - and I am not excluded from this one, but we still have time to change for the better - therefore, let's keep on reminding ourselves that our rights end where others' right begin.
Also, for the sake of those who might not know - watch out that there is something called photo-shop, where a photo amongst others can be magicked if I may use this word - worked and changed and fit on any body - e.g. the face can be yours but the other features might not be yours - and then posted. And for those who might not know, you might be so shocked to see that you or your loved one is posted as doing funny things --- yeah, this is just a hint - and all these things only happened if we do not implement the concept that my right ends where yours begins..
Enjoy the digital opportunities, and don't forget to be digital opportunities ethics wise.
Disclaimer, I wrote this post in my personal capacity - as a Namibian and an Online Ethusiast who is eager to share with fellow users the need to be ethical each time we put our fingers on any digital opportunity gadget buttons to post something.
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