The blog read in todays New Era that there will be a new ferry-service in the very rural areas east of Katima Mulilo in the far north-eastern corner of Namibia. This is very good since the people there haven't had anything like that for many years. But, what strikes me as a bit strange is that "Prior to independence, the colonial South African Defence Force (SADF) operated a river barge between Impalila Island and Katima Mulilo. The barge was the main mode of transport among residents living along the river. After the withdrawal of SADF, the new government continued the ferry service until 1994 when it ceased this service". What was that? The old regime had a service to the people but a few years after Independence the swapo-regime stopped the service?! Why did they stop it? Wasn't the Caprivi-people important enough to spend money on? And why is it now, 16 years after they stopped the service, that a deputy Minister shamelessly can stand and say that the "SWAPO Party Government resolved in May 2009, to procure a suitable transport craft for the Zambezi River and its required supporting infrastructure"? Has he no shame at all? I wonder if some Minister back in 1994 was standing saying that "the SWAPO Party Government will now stop this ferry-service to you people. Be grateful!"? No, I didn't think so either.
But in any case, next time I visit the eastern Caprivi, I would love to take a trip on that ferry!!!
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