Ancestral Claims, Lies And Fiction

KINDLY allow me to comment on a letter entitled ‘Time to take our land back’ published in the Namibian of 18/06/04 and on Swapo Youth league ‘Comrade’ Kapia’s misguided comments.

Maybe its time to take our land back – as long as there are well-founded grounds to claim such land. Namibia’s white farmers Friedrich and Hough spoke of their ancestors’ land – so does Kahimise.Whose land is it then? Why not, when elaborating on your ancestral claims, tell us where your ancestors came from and how they acquired the land in question.At least for Friedrich and Hough – we know where they came from and have every right to claim any piece of land they own today.If our ancestors origins dictate where we should claim our land – then what more of the following as published in a Southern Africa Tourist Guide saying: The Owambo people came from somewhere in East Africa – whereas the Hereros came from somewhere in Zambia-with Nama/Damara coming from some point in South Africa – whilst the San community have been the first occupants of many parts of Namibia – but unfortunately were nomadic.Could Namibian history have become so distorted or could there be some truth in our ancestral origins as that tourist guide speculates? Or is it about time black Namibians set their compasses backwards in time so as to really understand our origins and stop thinking Namibia has always belonged to us just because we have always been ignorant in our own history.As for Kapia, one never knows what his statements are meant to achieve.Where was he when newspapers like the The Namibian were the only voice that reached millions around the globe as to the plight and suffering and quest for Namibian independence or when The Namibian stood up in highlighting the oppression and destruction caused by apartheid South Africa.Its about time Namibians from Swapo and all political parties honoured Namibia’s white folks who stood side by side-fighting for the independence of Namibia.Or should we distort the media’s contributions as well? ‘Comrade’ Kapia grow up and be an example of Namibia’s upcoming future leaders or your reign shall be as it is today – a misguided one based on lies and a lot of fiction.Joseph Mulife Muchali Montreal, CanadaNamibia’s white farmers Friedrich and Hough spoke of their ancestors’ land – so does Kahimise.Whose land is it then? Why not, when elaborating on your ancestral claims, tell us where your ancestors came from and how they acquired the land in question.At least for Friedrich and Hough – we know where they came from and have every right to claim any piece of land they own today.If our ancestors origins dictate where we should claim our land – then what more of the following as published in a Southern Africa Tourist Guide saying: The Owambo people came from somewhere in East Africa – whereas the Hereros came from somewhere in Zambia-with Nama/Damara coming from some point in South Africa – whilst the San community have been the first occupants of many parts of Namibia – but unfortunately were nomadic.Could Namibian history have become so distorted or could there be some truth in our ancestral origins as that tourist guide speculates? Or is it about time black Namibians set their compasses backwards in time so as to really understand our origins and stop thinking Namibia has always belonged to us just because we have always been ignorant in our own history.As for Kapia, one never knows what his statements are meant to achieve.Where was he when newspapers like the The Namibian were the only voice that reached millions around the globe as to the plight and suffering and quest for Namibian independence or when The Namibian stood up in highlighting the oppression and destruction caused by apartheid South Africa.Its about time Namibians from Swapo and all political parties honoured Namibia’s white folks who stood side by side-fighting for the independence of Namibia.Or should we distort the media’s contributions as well? ‘Comrade’ Kapia grow up and be an example of Namibia’s upcoming future leaders or your reign shall be as it is today – a misguided one based on lies and a lot of fiction.Joseph Mulife Muchali Montreal, Canada