Struggle for economic freedom must be defined: Mbumba

WINDHOEK, 02 MAY – Vice President Nangolo Mbumba on Tuesday called on Namibians to define the second struggle for economic freedom in order to formalise a concrete understanding of the fight.
In a speech read on his behalf at the commemoration of Workers’ Day at Khorixas in the Kunene Region, Mbumba said partners on all fronts need to, among others, unpack the meaning, objectives, targets, strategies, resources and all related information to formalise an understanding of the struggle for economic freedom.
“Maybe, not all of us fully understand what the concept of the second struggle for economic freedom entails. Hence, the weak interest among the target sections of our society and perhaps, they think this is only meant for some people in Government or in the private sector and not for the men and women on the streets,” said Mbumba.
He said ‘Think Tanks’, such as the Labour Resource and Research Institute (LaRRI), should help to clearly define and conceptualise the basic elements of the second national struggle for economic freedom in a digestible, understandable and implementable format, which can easily be monitored.
Mbumba noted that this year’s celebration theme, ‘Namibian Workers and Employers Unite for Economic Upliftment’ seeks a constructive dialogue for unity between labour and capital to identify and remove rooted structural weaknesses.
“Just like the national liberation struggle, the struggle for economic freedom will not be easy too. It will be long and bitter, and just as many did not live to see the day of our political freedom, many of our compatriots too may not experience economic freedom in their lifetime, but their children and grandchildren will see the day based on the sacrifices their parents and grandparents would have made,” said Mbumba.
01 May is commemorated internationally annually in recognition of the historic demonstration of workers against capitalism, safe working environments, conducive hours, and dignity for workers in 1884 in Chicago, United States of America.
NAMPA