All Hate Speech Must End
FIGHTING talk, from whichever side of the political spectrum, can only negatively impact on our country's peace, security and future stability and should stop with immediate effect.
It is for this reason that a small group of white farmers, angered
about the plans for government land expropriation, should refrain
at all costs from what could be construed as 'war talk'.
This week, members of the clique under the banner of the Namibia
Farmers Support Initiative (NFSI), pledged to resist the way
Government planned expropriation, and used fiery language to say
so.
It must be emphasised from the outset that this group is not
representative of white commercial farmers as a whole, and that
many have and will distance themselves from their antagonistic
attitude.
It was clear from the meeting itself that not all members of the
NFSI itself agree with the fighting talk of the few, and this was
evident from the fact that some, including members of the Namibia
Agricultural Union (NAU), walked out of the meeting, which ended
abruptly after some admonitions about 'hate speech'.
Members of certain minorities may feel threatened in this
country, perhaps even justifiably at times, but there is no cause
to resort to inflammatory, inciting remarks, which will only have
the effect of escalating the situation and causing attitudes to
harden on all sides.
The farming cliques are not the only extremists in this country,
they exist on both sides of the racial divide.
Our President, despite being the architect of reconciliation in
this country, has also not set the best example in this regard and
from time to time launches verbal attacks on whites in general,
foreigners, certain individuals and others, which in turn
precipitates reaction from those who have been the target of his
tirades.
It is very important therefore that emotions, particularly on
the volatile land expropriation issue, be kept in check on all
sides; and the President should show the way instead of adding fuel
to the fire in this regard.
Several white farmers have been at pains to inform this
newspaper that they do not associate themselves with the 'war talk'
at the NFSI meeting this week, and have requested that it be
clarified that they are not party to the open resistance threatened
by some.
It would be helpful if the NAU, which has until thus far been
very conciliatory and accommodating of Government plans with regard
to expropriation, tried to exert a calming influence on those who
resist change at all costs.
Sigi Eimbeck, spokesperson for the NFSI, should likewise temper
the firebrands in this organisation.
As a former police officer and security expert, he should be
only too well aware of the grave consequences that can result if
such hate speech is allowed to continue unchecked.
Our Head of State and Government in general, for their part,
should also approach the land expropriation issue with due
sensitivity and avoid resorting to what may be tantamount to
intimidation and even incitement of a community that already fears
for its future in Namibia.
It is possible to redistribute land to the landless without
setting the country on fire.
With the co-operation of all groups and a commitment to
negotiated settlement, necessary change can be brought about in an
orderly manner.
If firebrands from the side of the farmers, the ruling party, or
the unions for that matter, are allowed to continue unchecked with
their inflammatory speeches, this will only aggravate things
further and make an amicable settlement almost impossible to
achieve.
We would therefore call for calm and restraint on all sides, and
exhort the President and Government to set the example.
This week, members of the clique under the banner of the Namibia
Farmers Support Initiative (NFSI), pledged to resist the way
Government planned expropriation, and used fiery language to say
so.It must be emphasised from the outset that this group is not
representative of white commercial farmers as a whole, and that
many have and will distance themselves from their antagonistic
attitude.It was clear from the meeting itself that not all members
of the NFSI itself agree with the fighting talk of the few, and
this was evident from the fact that some, including members of the
Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU), walked out of the meeting, which
ended abruptly after some admonitions about 'hate speech'.Members
of certain minorities may feel threatened in this country, perhaps
even justifiably at times, but there is no cause to resort to
inflammatory, inciting remarks, which will only have the effect of
escalating the situation and causing attitudes to harden on all
sides.The farming cliques are not the only extremists in this
country, they exist on both sides of the racial divide.Our
President, despite being the architect of reconciliation in this
country, has also not set the best example in this regard and from
time to time launches verbal attacks on whites in general,
foreigners, certain individuals and others, which in turn
precipitates reaction from those who have been the target of his
tirades.It is very important therefore that emotions, particularly
on the volatile land expropriation issue, be kept in check on all
sides; and the President should show the way instead of adding fuel
to the fire in this regard.Several white farmers have been at pains
to inform this newspaper that they do not associate themselves with
the 'war talk' at the NFSI meeting this week, and have requested
that it be clarified that they are not party to the open resistance
threatened by some.It would be helpful if the NAU, which has until
thus far been very conciliatory and accommodating of Government
plans with regard to expropriation, tried to exert a calming
influence on those who resist change at all costs.Sigi Eimbeck,
spokesperson for the NFSI, should likewise temper the firebrands in
this organisation.As a former police officer and security expert,
he should be only too well aware of the grave consequences that can
result if such hate speech is allowed to continue unchecked.Our
Head of State and Government in general, for their part, should
also approach the land expropriation issue with due sensitivity and
avoid resorting to what may be tantamount to intimidation and even
incitement of a community that already fears for its future in
Namibia.It is possible to redistribute land to the landless without
setting the country on fire.With the co-operation of all groups and
a commitment to negotiated settlement, necessary change can be
brought about in an orderly manner.If firebrands from the side of
the farmers, the ruling party, or the unions for that matter, are
allowed to continue unchecked with their inflammatory speeches,
this will only aggravate things further and make an amicable
settlement almost impossible to achieve.We would therefore call for
calm and restraint on all sides, and exhort the President and
Government to set the example.