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.