Say no to bad things -Khama

CHANDAPIWA BAPUTAKI
Staff Writer | Wednesday November 17, 2010 00:00

 

Addressing students of Rainbow English Medium High School at the official opening of their multi-purpose hall, Khama said that it is imperative that government do all they can to ensure that the youth are empowered and prepared to perform in their many future roles. 

'You are the future of tomorrow, the leadership, the future of our country. By believing in, standing up for your own positive potential, you may at times be the envy of others,' he said.

He stated that sadly, young people are confronted by 'shameless predators' who wish to profit from poisoning them and their friends with alcohol and drugs or enticing them with temptations associated with other forms of exploitation. 

'In this regard I must admit that I remain deeply concerned about instances of ongoing ill-discipline, be it in schools or the wider society. The two, of course, go hand in hand for it becomes all the more difficult for institutions such as this and individuals such as yourselves to excel when the environment around you seemingly amplifies that which is negative while turning a blind eye to what is positive,' Khama said.

He stated that his own perception is that in this as in many other areas, too many people are still hesitant in giving full credit to what is home grown. He said while other societies celebrate their own success, Batswana have a tendency to copy from them, good or bad. He said that in a globalised world such sentiments would get the country nowhere.  'We need to be confident of who we are and what we have. We need to stand up for each other and collectively stand together against those who would pull all of us down,' he said, adding that it can be expected that for the foreseeable future the society would be increasingly challenged by external interests. He advised the students that if they are insecure about their identity they might respond with self-destructive xenophobia.

'But if we are united in our self confidence, in our own sense of self worth we can and shall positively meet the global challenge,' Khama said.

'My appeal therefore to all the young people in this country, citizens and residents alike is to reject all that is negative around you. Just say 'No' to all those who pull you down in order to deny you your rightful celebrity potential. Instead, have the courage to be all that you can be. Be self disciplined,' the President said.

Addressing the issue of discipline, Khama said that it is a topic that he is passionate about because he knows from personal experience and observation the value of self-discipline in enhancing one's life as well as the pitfalls of trying to live a life that is lacking in diligence.

'I am aware that young people can get tired of warnings about how juvenile delinquency, arising from a lack of discipline, is a pathway to the devil. Then there is the fact that whenever I use the word discipline there is also a tendency on the part of some to imagine me back in a BDF uniform,' he said, explaining that while it is true that professional armies must place a premium on discipline in achieving their objectives, in the final analysis it is not much different for any other field of endeavour.

Ð Emma Wareus, the Miss World first princess, Members of Parliament and the Namibian High Commissioner were amongst the other invited dignitaries.