Editorial: Do We Have Cause For Celebration?

FRIDAY, August 26 2005, marks the 39th anniversary of the start of the armed struggle on the same date in 1966.

Cause for celebration, one might think, on the basis that final independence was achieved after protracted fighting over decades, diplomatic and other efforts, on March 21 1990. Many people from across the spectrum sacrificed for the goal of self-determination and the independence of Namibia.Most fought, literally or figuratively, for Namibia to be a better place.To give the country back to its legitimate owners, to create a society free of racial discrimination, injustice and inequality and to put peace, harmony and development in its stead.Many of the desired goals have been achieved, at least to a certain degree, and we can applaud the real progress that has been made towards a more peaceful, just and equitable society, although there remains a long way to go.But we must nevertheless remind ourselves on this historic day that all is not well in our independent Republic, especially in one of the most crucial areas, namely guardianship of our financial resources.In saying so, we are not only laying emphasis on the SSC-Avid inquiry that is unfolding before acting Judge Raymond Heathcote, and which has revealed a web of people apparently intent on self-enrichment.There are many other similar cases, where monies have been mismanaged, misspent or disappeared through inept leadership and/or pure greed and avarice.Against this background, our goals of a just and equitable society seem far out of reach; our stated aims of bridging the gap between rich and poor diminish even further and only serve to further widen the rift between the haves and the have-nots.We need to remind ourselves once again of what the struggle was about.We need to ensure a better deal for the poor and unemployed; educate the uneducated; minister to the sick and feed the hungry in our midst; and make all Namibians proud of our heritage.Our resources should be deployed to these ends.For this reason, they need to be safeguarded, for this is a public trust given to our leaders in political and business life.It is not even an issue for debate.It is a necessity if we are to make a tangible difference in the lives of our people who need it most.And if we are to try and turn things around, then we need to, once again, use the opportunity afforded us to take a stand, and a determined one, against the mismanagement and corruption that is placing our precious resources in jeopardy.We cannot truly celebrate our national days, such as August 26 or March 21 for that matter, if we are not intent on our goals to uplift Namibians to the point where they can feel only pride and joy in our nationhood, rather than anger and embarrassment at the fact that the rot is allowed to continue.We have to make an example of those who have exploited Namibia’s assets and people, and deter them from future activities of this nature.And what better time than to show we mean business by doing so on the eve of August 26?Many people from across the spectrum sacrificed for the goal of self-determination and the independence of Namibia.Most fought, literally or figuratively, for Namibia to be a better place.To give the country back to its legitimate owners, to create a society free of racial discrimination, injustice and inequality and to put peace, harmony and development in its stead.Many of the desired goals have been achieved, at least to a certain degree, and we can applaud the real progress that has been made towards a more peaceful, just and equitable society, although there remains a long way to go.But we must nevertheless remind ourselves on this historic day that all is not well in our independent Republic, especially in one of the most crucial areas, namely guardianship of our financial resources.In saying so, we are not only laying emphasis on the SSC-Avid inquiry that is unfolding before acting Judge Raymond Heathcote, and which has revealed a web of people apparently intent on self-enrichment.There are many other similar cases, where monies have been mismanaged, misspent or disappeared through inept leadership and/or pure greed and avarice.Against this background, our goals of a just and equitable society seem far out of reach; our stated aims of bridging the gap between rich and poor diminish even further and only serve to further widen the rift between the haves and the have-nots.We need to remind ourselves once again of what the struggle was about.We need to ensure a better deal for the poor and unemployed; educate the uneducated; minister to the sick and feed the hungry in our midst; and make all Namibians proud of our heritage.Our resources should be deployed to these ends.For this reason, they need to be safeguarded, for this is a public trust given to our leaders in political and business life.It is not even an issue for debate.It is a necessity if we are to make a tangible difference in the lives of our people who need it most.And if we are to try and turn things around, then we need to, once again, use the opportunity afforded us to take a stand, and a determined one, against the mismanagement and corruption that is placing our precious resources in jeopardy.We cannot truly celebrate our national days, such as August 26 or March 21 for that matter, if we are not intent on our goals to uplift Namibians to the point where they can feel only pride and joy in our nationhood, rather than anger and embarrassment at the fact that the rot is allowed to continue.We have to make an example of those who have exploited Namibia’s assets and people, and deter them from future activities of this nature.And what better time than to show we mean business by doing so on the eve of August 26?