Call For Tolerance And Acceptance

I WAS shocked to pick up my Namibian newspaper of Tuesday, July 15 2008, carrying a front-page story relaying how some Swapo supporters had caused serious injury to the RDP opposition party’s members, as well as damage to the vehicles in which they were travelling.

This is indeed a violation of the rights of freedom of movement and choice – rights for which the liberation struggle was fought, and for which many died. The realisation of these rights in Namibia was spearheaded and championed by Swapo and many of the Namibian churches, with the help of a number of local and international groups and organisations, countries, and individuals.Unfortunately, it seems that some of the leading party’s followers are out of tune with what the exercising of these rights entails.The Namibian Constitution is extremely clear on the fundamental human rights of all Namibians – one of which is Political Activity (Article 17 of the Constitution), whereby “All citizens shall have the right to participate in peaceful political activity intended to influence the composition and policies of Government.All citizens shall have the right to form and join political parties and, subject to such qualifications prescribed by law as are necessary in a democratic society, to participate in the conduct of public affairs, whether directly, or through freely chosen representatives.”Let us all be clear on this article, in that the formation of any political party, and the participation of citizens in their activities, is constitutionally protected as a fundamental human right – rights that are fruits of our independence.Hence, the childish manner of demarcating certain areas as belonging to a specific political party; harassing members participating in/ leading the activities of an opposition party; limiting the freedoms of others to participate in activity that may change the state of national political leadership; or inciting acts of violence to prevent party political activity from taking place, goes against the ideals of the Namibian Constitution, and against the reasons for which the liberation struggle was fought.Many peace-loving Namibians have already called on us to respect one another, and to work towards peace.King Eliphas Kauluma, chairman of the Traditional Leaders Council, Queen Martha Nelumbu of Oukwanyama, and senior headman, Oswald Mukulu of Ombalantu, have repeatedly called on the public to love and work for peace.The Lutheran Churches of Namibia, two of which were heavily involved in the struggle for Namibia’s independence, have done the same, having recently written an open letter calling on the nation to work for peace and tolerance.I would like to urge all party-political leaders in the country to call their followers to order – to communicate the ideals of the freedoms associated with political activity, to remind them of the purpose of democracy and the activities by which the democratic process is characterised, and to reiterate the principles entailed in the Constitution, for which the liberation struggle was waged.The competition in the political arena should not and must not be exercised with weapons and the physical abuse of others, but with a quality of serving all citizens of Namibia.Let us love one another, even our enemies, as our Lord Jesus Christ has called us to do (John 13:34-35; Luke 6:27-28) – disassociating ourselves from acts which harm others physically and violate their freedoms.Dr Abisai Shejavali, WindhoekThe realisation of these rights in Namibia was spearheaded and championed by Swapo and many of the Namibian churches, with the help of a number of local and international groups and organisations, countries, and individuals.Unfortunately, it seems that some of the leading party’s followers are out of tune with what the exercising of these rights entails.The Namibian Constitution is extremely clear on the fundamental human rights of all Namibians – one of which is Political Activity (Article 17 of the Constitution), whereby “All citizens shall have the right to participate in peaceful political activity intended to influence the composition and policies of Government.All citizens shall have the right to form and join political parties and, subject to such qualifications prescribed by law as are necessary in a democratic society, to participate in the conduct of public affairs, whether directly, or through freely chosen representatives.”Let us all be clear on this article, in that the formation of any political party, and the participation of citizens in their activities, is constitutionally protected as a fundamental human right – rights that are fruits of our independence.Hence, the childish manner of demarcating certain areas as belonging to a specific political party; harassing members participating in/ leading the activities of an opposition party; limiting the freedoms of others to participate in activity that may change the state of national political leadership; or inciting acts of violence to prevent party political activity from taking place, goes against the ideals of the Namibian Constitution, and against the reasons for which the liberation struggle was fought.Many peace-loving Namibians have already called on us to respect one another, and to work towards peace.King Eliphas Kauluma, chairman of the Traditional Leaders Council, Queen Martha Nelumbu of Oukwanyama, and senior headman, Oswald Mukulu of Ombalantu, have repeatedly called on the public to love and work for peace.The Lutheran Churches of Namibia, two of which were heavily involved in the struggle for Namibia’s independence, have done the same, having recently written an open letter calling on the nation to work for peace and tolerance.I would like to urge all party-political leaders in the country to call their followers to order – to communicate the ideals of the freedoms associated with political activity, to remind them of the purpose of democracy and the activities by which the democratic process is characterised, and to reiterate the principles entailed in the Constitution, for which the liberation struggle was waged.The competition in the political arena should not and must not be exercised with weapons and the physical abuse of others, but with a quality of serving all citizens of Namibia.Let us love one another, even our enemies, as our Lord Jesus Christ has called us to do (John 13:34-35; Luke 6:27-28) – disassociating ourselves from acts which harm others physically and violate their freedoms.Dr Abisai Shejavali, Windhoek