THE Democratic Party of Namibia (DPN) has warned Nama and Herero communities not to be ‘misled by the hasty distribution of goats for blood’ to rural communities under the German Special Initiative.
The party’s Information and Mobilisation Officer, Timothy Pieters, yesterday slammed Government’s involvement in negotiations on the Nama/Herero reparation demands with the German government.
‘The Namibian Government is not the true representative of these communities [affected by German colonial rule],’ Pieters said.
‘DPN is further calling upon all Nama and Herero communities amongst themselves to campaign and advocate for proper and decent reparations from the German government and not to be divided by party politics on this crucial matter and that they should jointly consult their communities to support the move,’ he said.
Pieters further supported some Nama leaders who called for the immediate suspension of the distribution of goats late last year.
The leaders argued that intellectuals within the ranks of the Nama people should become the drivers instead of foreigners who were appointed as consultants to spearhead the programme.
Following the calls to stop the programme, the National Planning Commission held a string of meetings with the Nama leaders and affected community members, but said the implementation of the programme will continue as planned.
The DPN was launched at Keetmanshoop in July last year.
Its main aim is to address the plight of minorities in the country, DPN President Salomon Dawid Isaack said at the launch.
Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for
only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!
