Capitalist countries or the proponents of capitalism like UK, USA, Germany etc have very evident social programmes like unemployment benefits, free medical care, free education etc, and yet an African government which tries to implement basically the same issues is branded socialist or communist.

The so-called Western democracies are the very same sponsors of multinational cooperation which exploit resources of the third world for the betterment of their citizens in the first world.

Look what is exploding in South Africa is genocide which never takes centre stage in your reporting as it is caused by the system of the so-called west where 10% of the population owns 87% of land while 90% own 13%.

As a result the majority of the population resort to crime for survival and you as agents of the West conveniently do not report on that.

Tell me how many murders and rapes happen in South Africa daily? Is it the government's problem or is it a historic problem of inequities caused by imperialists? Your sympathy for Zimbabwe is not for the people of Zimbabwe but for the economy which is western which is suffering.

Your headline screamers are meant to scare the Namibians and South Africans not to claim their birthright which is land so that they remain perpetual slaves or servants of the system.

By demonising Mugabe you want to portray him as a selfish African despot who does not have the people's interests at heart.

For those who fought for independence we are quite aware of the sacrifices one has to make if you want to be free.

People lost their lives for political independence.

Those who have simplistic approach to life will lose their lives for supporting puppet parties who want to give back people's freedom because there is no cooking oil or bread in shops.

Zimbabweans are trying to empower themselves by producing their own wheat, cooking oil or maize despite impediments caused by the West through sanctions.

We know they will get there through the support of their brothers and sisters in neighbouring countries.

To imagine them giving back freedom to buffoons like Tsvangirai because the Western-controlled press writes negatively, is not only misguided but daydreaming.

Mkondo Wesizwe Via e-mail Note: Dear Paulus Sigwali, and Co.

You're at it again! Why not accept for once and for all that (African) people, can have divergent views to yours? Which is it that you disrespect our Constitution and democracy and insist on looking for 'agendas' where there are none? Again there is a flurry of e-mails similar to yours in content, language, and style, and even the same spelling errors as in Asser Ntinda's 'Zoom In' column in Namibia Today.

No coincidence, I'm sure.

If you believe Robert Mugabe is still great and good, you're entitled to your opinions, inasmuch as we're entitled to think the opposite.

Your reference to 'Western-controlled press' is tired and long discredited, and we're not manipulated by anyone.

Neither do I author SMSes, but you are more than welcome to come to our offices and establish that for yourselves.

Our door is open. - Gwen Lister

Letters Of The Last 48 Hours

•  SMSes Of The Day : Monday