Income gap worries Kameeta

THE outgoing Evangelical Lutheran Church in Republic of Namibia (ELCRN) Bishop Zephania Kameeta is troubled by the widening gap between the rich and the poor.
“As a former freedom fighter, the vision we had before independence has been forgotten,” Kameeta, who was the National Assembly deputy speaker after independence, said at a press conference held at ELCRN head office last week.
Now set to retire as ELCRN bishop on 3 November after serving the church for 11 years, Kameeta said the gap between the rich and the poor is widening and that capital has taken centre stage.
“That notion of One Namibia, One Nation is gone as everybody thinks of how he or she only can benefit and improve their financial status,” he said adding that many Namibians have forgotten their fellow compatriots. According to Kameeta, there is no need for some people to live in mansions while others live in shacks, “Nobody should go around looking for food at dump sites ... there should be no need to be beggars.” The outgoing bishop said Namibia is a nation of few people and everyone should be able to feed themselves and have a roof over their heads.
Kameeta said he was retiring peacefully and will not drag his feet in office corridors but move to Mariental for his retirement although he will still be preaching and conducting religious services on invitation throughout the country. (The Namibian, Windhoek)