BEE Is Not The Answer

I AM writing in response to Lazarus Jacobs’s article in The Namibian, headlined ‘To BEE or Not to BEE’.

To liken the assault on Black Economic Empowerment to “Hezbollah rockets raining down on the emerging black middle class” is tasteless and not a good way to highlight the problem. I would like to take issue with much of what is contained in his article and the overall sentiment which underpins his views.Firstly, I would like to present him with some questions.1.How long should it take to educate and experience a previously disadvantaged person to management or board level? 2.How long after independence should the Government maintain BEE, and how do you measure its success? 3.Does he think a robust, quality, equal opportunities education system would provide a more lasting solution? 4.Does he really believe that reigning in white wealth, property ownership and business interests will benefit Namibia in any way? 5.Does turning the clock back to pre-colonial times fill him with hope? 6.Is he aware of any previously disadvantaged peoples historically in Europe, Australia, Asia or the Americas? Mr Jacobs’s usage of history concerns me, most countries have a past filled with invasion, subjugation and even massacre or genocide.Britain has been invaded by Romans, Angles, Vikings, Saxons and Normans all within the last 2100 years.The Normans parcelled off large tracts of Anglo-Saxon land to give to their supporters, none of which was ever handed back.But, after less than 1 000 years we are all integrated.It takes time.Yes, something special was done against the Namibian people, but it was however not unique.Ask the Jewish people, Native American Indians, Aborigines, Aztecs.Incas, Palestinians, Cambodians, Ethiopians, Congolese, Vietnamese, Liberians, Ugandan Asians, Zimbabweans, Irish, Chechens, Iraqis, Lebanese or Afghans – the list, sadly, is nearly endless.This, however, does not make it right.What you do have now is almost unique, the chance to put previous wrongs into the past by engineering your future through forgiveness, time, knowledge, political stability, peace and equality.Put simply, I would suggest to you BEE and skin colour-motivated wealth redistribution legislation is not the answer, but time, patience and education is.There are two books I would ask Mr Jacobs to read: ‘The scramble for Africa’, the author’s name escapes me, which gives a political and geographical insight into the thinking behind the undignified scramble and lunatic carving up of Africa by the colonists.’The State of Africa’ by Martin Meredith, which highlights the further denigration of Africa since the Second World War by factors both internal and external to Africa.I would relish the opportunity to discuss Namibia and Africa with Mr Jacobs.Having read about Africa, I know I don’t have the answers to its myriad problems, but I do know what’s been tried and I know not very much has succeeded.Disadvantagement of any kind arrived at any community of people will not work, neither should we differentiate between black, white, red or yellow, we are all humans, some good, some bad, some indifferent.I am spending three months travelling Namibia and enjoying its many and varied peoples, most of whom seem to be working for the common good and self-improvement where it is available.The human raw materials are here in every colour.Namibia is a majestic tourist destination with quite literally glittering ground to walk on and glittering night skies to look up to.In between it has stunning stark scenery, massive wildlife, startling and strange flora and the oldest desert in the world.Windhoek is one of the most charming capitals I have visited and credit must go to the government for retaining its colonial feel.Namibia truly is a gem.Much has changed in the last 100 years, much will change in the next 100, a successful nation must look forward not backwards.Cream, whatever the colour, will always rise to the surface, but Mr Jacobs, the human kind takes longer than a mere 16 years.Concerned Traveller NamibiaI would like to take issue with much of what is contained in his article and the overall sentiment which underpins his views.Firstly, I would like to present him with some questions.1.How long should it take to educate and experience a previously disadvantaged person to management or board level? 2.How long after independence should the Government maintain BEE, and how do you measure its success? 3.Does he think a robust, quality, equal opportunities education system would provide a more lasting solution? 4.Does he really believe that reigning in white wealth, property ownership and business interests will benefit Namibia in any way? 5.Does turning the clock back to pre-colonial times fill him with hope? 6.Is he aware of any previously disadvantaged peoples historically in Europe, Australia, Asia or the Americas? Mr Jacobs’s usage of history concerns me, most countries have a past filled with invasion, subjugation and even massacre or genocide.Britain has been invaded by Romans, Angles, Vikings, Saxons and Normans all within the last 2100 years.The Normans parcelled off large tracts of Anglo-Saxon land to give to their supporters, none of which was ever handed back.But, after less than 1 000 years we are all integrated.It takes time.Yes, something special was done against the Namibian people, but it was however not unique.Ask the Jewish people, Native American Indians, Aborigines, Aztecs.Incas, Palestinians, Cambodians, Ethiopians, Congolese, Vietnamese, Liberians, Ugandan Asians, Zimbabweans, Irish, Chechens, Iraqis, Lebanese or Afghans – the list, sadly, is nearly endless.This, however, does not make it right.What you do have now is almost unique, the chance to put previous wrongs into the past by engineering your future through forgiveness, time, knowledge, political stability, peace and equality.Put simply, I would suggest to you BEE and skin colour-motivated wealth redistribution legislation is not the answer, but time, patience and education is.There are two books I would ask Mr Jacobs to read: ‘The scramble for Africa’, the author’s name escapes me, which gives a political and geographical insight into the thinking behind the undignified scramble and lunatic carving up of Africa by the colonists. ‘The State of Africa’ by Martin Meredith, which highlights the further denigration of Africa since the Second World War by factors both internal and external to Africa.I would relish the opportunity to discuss Namibia and Africa with Mr Jacobs.Having read about Africa, I know I don’t have the answers to its myriad problems, but I do know what’s been tried and I know not very much has succeeded.Disadvantagement of any kind arrived at any community of people will not work, neither should we differentiate between black, white, red or yellow, we are all humans, some good, some bad, some indifferent.I am spending three months travelling Namibia and enjoying its many and varied peoples, most of whom seem to be working for the common good and self-improvement where it is available.The human raw materials are here in every colour.Namibia is a majestic tourist destination with quite literally glittering ground to walk on and glittering night skies to look up to.In between it has stunning stark scenery, massive wildlife, startling and strange flora and the oldest desert in the world.Windhoek is one of the most charming capitals I have visited and credit must go to the government for retaining its colonial feel.Namibia truly is a gem.Much has changed in the last 100 years, much will change in the next 100, a successful nation must look forward not backwards.Cream, whatever the colour, will always rise to the surface, but Mr Jacobs, the human kind takes longer than a mere 16 years.Concerned Traveller Namibia