Fewer Hate Speeches, Please!

NAMIBIAN voters have a right to be informed in order to cast their votes with commitment and maturity as far as their future is concerned.

It is in that context that we – again – request “leaders” to stick to the rules of democracy and free and fair elections. Mr. Tjiriange, your previous position as Minister of Justice should have instilled a respect for the Namibian Constitution in you.That should at least reach as far as knowing that it is NOT SWAPO that created the Namibian Defence Force, Police, Civil Service etc. etc. – that is an obligation every Government of a country has.SWAPO is just another political party and not the Government.Sir – we do not live in 1960 anymore – the year 2004 is here and we have and want to move on.We all have an understanding that you might still feel bitter about your past – let us, however, look ahead and rather work for a future that does not bring back those years.Namibia has so many problems that need tangible solutions.Solutions will not be found by clinging on to the past and asking weird questions like: “What did Ben Ulenga tell the Boers to be released?”Absurd statements like “the CoD has been created by colonialists”.By the way, Sir, the CoD is a legitimate political party and not an organisation.You can condemn the “colonisers” till eternity – as long as you, the SWAPO party, still depend on them for food assistance for Namibians your statements boomerang.Tell the voters why is it necessary to apply for N$37.7 million donor assistance to feed Namibians?Tell the voters why only foreigners get major building contracts these days?Tell the voters why they – after 14 years of independence – still live in shacks and shambles?Why is almost every municipality bankrupt in Namibia?Why is each and every parastatal costing the Namibian taxpayers millions and millions?Sir – you as former Minister of Justice – should cry out loud: babies and toddlers are raped on a daily basis.Criminals rule the country – Namibians get murdered for a few dollars – corruption never gets punished.The list, I am afraid, is endless!The Police force is ill equipped, ill-trained – why would Windhoek otherwise ask for a Municipal Police Force?The Namibian Defence Force – who is insane enough to want to attack Namibia – Namibia does not need that Force.The money could be spent on housing/education/health services etc. etc.All these and many more pressing issues and what can be done about it.That makes up election material for many months – Sir – not your defamations and agitating hate speeches.However – if your attacks on the CoD are an indicator to go by – the CoD is doing a good job and giving you ample reason to see an opposition in that party.Mr. Tjiriange, please come up with solutions for Namibians since we all know that the tax payers – and that includes opposition party members – pay for SWAPO rallies.We have peace in Namibia – that is also a credit to opposition parties since we can argue in parliament and don’t have to take up weapons – let’s keep it that way, please, and let’s tackle Namibia’s multiple problems together.Create a platform for FREE and FAIR elections.Waltraut Truemper Swakopmund Via E-mailMr. Tjiriange, your previous position as Minister of Justice should have instilled a respect for the Namibian Constitution in you.That should at least reach as far as knowing that it is NOT SWAPO that created the Namibian Defence Force, Police, Civil Service etc. etc. – that is an obligation every Government of a country has.SWAPO is just another political party and not the Government.Sir – we do not live in 1960 anymore – the year 2004 is here and we have and want to move on.We all have an understanding that you might still feel bitter about your past – let us, however, look ahead and rather work for a future that does not bring back those years.Namibia has so many problems that need tangible solutions.Solutions will not be found by clinging on to the past and asking weird questions like: “What did Ben Ulenga tell the Boers to be released?”Absurd statements like “the CoD has been created by colonialists”.By the way, Sir, the CoD is a legitimate political party and not an organisation.You can condemn the “colonisers” till eternity – as long as you, the SWAPO party, still depend on them for food assistance for Namibians your statements boomerang.Tell the voters why is it necessary to apply for N$37.7 million donor assistance to feed Namibians?Tell the voters why only foreigners get major building contracts these days?Tell the voters why they – after 14 years of independence – still live in shacks and shambles?Why is almost every municipality bankrupt in Namibia?Why is each and every parastatal costing the Namibian taxpayers millions and millions?Sir – you as former Minister of Justice – should cry out loud: babies and toddlers are raped on a daily basis.Criminals rule the country – Namibians get murdered for a few dollars – corruption never gets punished.The list, I am afraid, is endless!The Police force is ill equipped, ill-trained – why would Windhoek otherwise ask for a Municipal Police Force?The Namibian Defence Force – who is insane enough to want to attack Namibia – Namibia does not need that Force.The money could be spent on housing/education/health services etc. etc.All these and many more pressing issues and what can be done about it.That makes up election material for many months – Sir – not your defamations and agitating hate speeches.However – if your attacks on the CoD are an indicator to go by – the CoD is doing a good job and giving you ample reason to see an opposition in that party.Mr. Tjiriange, please come up with solutions for Namibians since we all know that the tax payers – and that includes opposition party members – pay for SWAPO rallies.We have peace in Namibia – that is also a credit to opposition parties since we can argue in parliament and don’t have to take up weapons – let’s keep it that way, please, and let’s tackle Namibia’s multiple problems together.Create a platform for FREE and FAIR elections.Waltraut Truemper Swakopmund Via E-mail