By Emilia Mbishi
Windhoek, 26 Oct 2022 – The Black People’s economic emancipation association yesterday held a peaceful demonstration from Stop’n shop complex in Okuryangava to Zoo Park in the city centre demanding that Namibians must own their mineral resources.
Activists Dimbulukeni Nauyoma and Micheal Amushelelo were leading the group and people came out to join them or show support.
The group demanded that article 16(2) of the Namibian Constitution be amended and presented a petition which was received by Julia Kandetu the accounting officer at the National Assembly.
Amushelelo asked why if Namibia had gained independence, most whites still owned most of the land, and denounced the looting of mineral resources.
“We demand, ownership of our land, mines,” he said.
The group also demanded that the youth ministry budget be increased to N$2 billion per annum to be used to fund entrepreneurs and the employment of youth.
A member of the group, Sylvia Nambala, said she has been unemployed for years and has a small tuck shop but applied for a loan to grow her business but no none responded.
“University graduates are doing nothing so what will happen to us and what happened to Vision 2030?” she asked.
The group said mineral resources should be shared among all Namibian and that the communities that owned the resources should benefit through employment creation.
The protesters said they will protest daily if parliament did not get back to them by 22 November 2022.
The group also headed to Bank of Namibia and Namibia Stock Exchange and the mines ministry where they handed over their petitions.
