Angolan child hawkers tarnish Namibia’s image: Nambondi

WINDHOEK, 14 MAY – Angolan nationals of school going age selling products in Namibia will tarnish the country’s image internationally, Councillor Hans Nambondi of the Okankolo Constituency in the Oshikoto Region has said.

Speaking in the National Council recently, Nambondi said the employment of school going Angolan children is contravening the Namibian Constitution, labour laws and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The Constitution incorporates all ratified conventions and customary international law into Namibian law, where Article 15 of the Constitution provides for the rights of the child.

“These children are seen selling products ranging from sweets, recharge vouchers and sausages, employed by us Namibians, which is a practice of child labour,” he stressed.

Nambondi said most of the children come from the Cunene Province in southern Angola to search for education and employment, due to lack of schools at the border towns and villages.

He urged the two governments to venture in building schools along the borders to benefit the children.
“If currently the Angolan citizens along the borders already benefit from the services of the health ministry, why can they not benefit from the education ministry to eliminate problems of Angolan children roaming the streets?” asked Nambondi.
He said Namibians should not forget the immense support by the Angolan government during the liberation struggle and should do the same.
NAMPA