The Youth And Values

THE article of Alfredo Hengari is very important and very well done but one should be allowed to mention that there are at least two main thoughts that are opposed to his approach: one is the liberal position saying that laws and moral norms should be a framework of minimal interference in people’s lives, there should be as little as possible moral guidance within society, common values are simply not wanted.

The other position has been called African ethics or palaver ethics: You may have noticed that most church-goers in Africa stand around outside the church on Sunday after mass and talk about all that is important to them. This is the place where moral judgement is confirmed and values are re-confirmed! It is the place where the preaching of the pastor is put at its rightful place and the behaviour of the elites is approved. Traditional groups have similar rituals where the members of the tribes are in a communication which must not necessarily be rational or verbal. In Namibia one can observe a mix of religious and traditional talk before or after church: The community eldest stand in one area in front of the church, some women somewhere else and the children run around in the sand … Namibians are not without values and there is no decline of values as philosophers and pastors teach as long as they exist. What has changed is the relevance of certain values and the way the values are realized. Nevertheless, like everyone else young Namibians are looking for dignity, friendship, love, trust and fulfilment in their lives. They are just not getting the opportunities for it. Andreas Peltzer Via e-mail

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