Civil Society Contradictions
I AM writing to ask the chairman of the ‘umbrella’ body of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), the Namibia Non-Governmental Organisations Forum Trust (Nangof Trust) a few questions.
During the 2010 SADC Heads of State meeting Nangof Trust successfully and justly took government to court on violations to the Namibian constitution. Therefore it is clear that Nangof Trust is able to hold authorities accountable. It would equally be just if Nangof Trust would not only defend and protect the right to “freedom of speech and expression, which shall include freedom of the press and other media”, without victimisation and or name calling. The option to write an open letter was chosen in light of above and lack of transparency. It is also unknown who the Chairperson is.
The media are also considered to be part of civil society and they have managed to implement self-regulation credibly over some years now. When government sought to regulate NGOs through a law, NGO leaders agreed three years ago that NGOs rather regulate themselves. Nangof Trust engaged a consultant and flew him in from South Africa on a number of occasions to draft the self-regulation document at great cost, but this document is collecting dust and many years have passed.
The first question therefore is why is self-regulation not implemented like the media did successfully?
My second question is, could you tell stakeholders, why Nangof Trust is not adhering to its own constitution, the Deed of Trust? According to the Deed of Trust an Annual General Meeting is to be held every by end of June each year.
Thirdly, could you also confirm and substantiate, that all fellow Council members of Nangof Trust are from paid up members at the time they accepted their respective “nominations” to serve on Council.
Fourthly, could you also confirm if all these Council members (including yourselves) were nominated by the eight sector working groups through their respective minuted meetings?
Fifthly, what would you say is the reason, why Nangof Trust despite being the ultimate representative (“umbrella”) of the voiceless, have not uttered a single word when a mother and baby died and the nation spoke out against it. And why were/are you also quiet on other socio economic matters, such as GIPF-DCP, water closure at many southern towns, shebeen saga, semi-permanent structure (shack) demolition by city officials, etc.
I do not want to pre-empt your response, but could you also shed light as to why a well-known right wing former politician is using Nangof Trust’s name in making presentations to authorities if socio-economic matters are important to the organisation? The organisation effectively looks more concerned with the agenda of the rich, powerful and better educated (elite) rather than the poor.
Lastly could you also avail the Nangof Trust’s bank statements to key stakeholders (members)?
You will also appreciate that the key objective of the organisation is to enable transparency, democratically run NGOs and accountability in the sector (“governance”). It would be better if Council steps down without delay to prevent double standards. Failure to do this is clearly a threat to the sustainability of Nangof Trust as there is already consistent severe lack of services to paid-up members.
Name withheld on request
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