Call To Namibianise

ON Thursday, August 16 2007, you carried an advertisement by Cash Converters on your front page.

I thought it was a good advert. But a closer reading reveals R50 and R100 notes in the wallet.Similarly, I have observed some South African money at Standard Bank ATMs.Even more shocking, I noticed that some shops still advertise goods in Rand.Some companies use email addresses with South African domain names for their local staff (e.g.co.za).Still others flood us with posters of foreign actors/models when advertising in the local market as if it cannot be done by local people who need the income.Basically, the adverts are done in another country.We simply consume them without question.I understand the cost implications.This is happening 17 years after independence.Advertising is expensive.But advertising cannot be done at the expense of our country and our people by organisations that are driven by profit.As a nation, we must take a stand by asking ourselves if these are the kind of people whose businesses we want to support.It is not enough just suck the money out of the country.Business operations must be Namibianised to reflect local conditions.Audrin Mathe, Via e-mailBut a closer reading reveals R50 and R100 notes in the wallet.Similarly, I have observed some South African money at Standard Bank ATMs.Even more shocking, I noticed that some shops still advertise goods in Rand.Some companies use email addresses with South African domain names for their local staff (e.g.co.za).Still others flood us with posters of foreign actors/models when advertising in the local market as if it cannot be done by local people who need the income.Basically, the adverts are done in another country.We simply consume them without question.I understand the cost implications.This is happening 17 years after independence.Advertising is expensive.But advertising cannot be done at the expense of our country and our people by organisations that are driven by profit.As a nation, we must take a stand by asking ourselves if these are the kind of people whose businesses we want to support.It is not enough just suck the money out of the country.Business operations must be Namibianised to reflect local conditions. Audrin Mathe, Via e-mail