Free Speech In The Corporate World

THE case of Wally Roux versus Meatco raises a much more fundamental question than just an employee letting the cat out of the bag in his private capacity.

It brings into question the whole question of democratic dialogue that underpins the rational development of social, corporate and political policies and subsequent actions. It highlights the age-old problem of conformity, perceptions of loyalty and the fundamental right to be different (and maybe right?).Does membership / employment of / by a social, political or economic entity entitle the powers-that-be to constrain the thinking, opinions and communication processes of the individual? It is quite obvious that publicly “slagging off” your company, your political party your social organisation or indeed your nation, in a tirade of invective targeting personalities, matters confidential or constantly dragging out issues from the past for personal gain is, quite rightly, going to get you what you deserve.But reasoned argument put forward in a responsible and well-presented manner as personal opinion, is a different kettle of fish; this is an essential part of democratic dialogue.As the media, including NBC, say on many occasions “opinions expressed are not necessarily the views of …”.If every company, political organisation or social grouping muzzled their employees or members to stick to the “party line” the only people who could express any form of different opinion would be those who have the means and intention to be independent.And there are not so many of those people around! No wonder dialogue is so sterile in Namibia.This, of course, explains why the meeting that I attended on EPA’s held on the 26th of April 2007 was so intellectually sterile.The excellent main presentation raised numerous points that deserved examination and discussion but when it came to question time there was 90 seconds of silence; the inference being those present either did not know what was going on; had no opinion to express (silence is consent), or; were themselves under an order of silence.I then raised the points indicated in the extract of my Aide memoire below; and yes, Wally Roux was there (I did not know him at that time), but of course in his official capacity and thus quite correctly remained silent.But I later found out, after his dispute with his employer became public, that his personally held views were remarkably similar to those that I had expressed, but better constructed.But of greater concern was that it is quite evident that those views are controversial and that no one was prepared to challenge them.Obviously the “small stock mentality” penetrates deeply into the fabric of our society.The basis of a Knowledge Based Economy is the ability to use and share knowledge AND apply it.By muzzling open debate in this manner Vision 2030 will remain just that.I hope MeatCo realises the wider implications of their policies and actions.Extract from personalaaide memoire for EPA meeting 08h00 26 April 2007, Nampower Centre; points raised in question time: That Europe is scared of real competition.It proposes free markets and practices protectionism.(Leather shoes from China – equivalent quality, lower-priced) Cotonou 37(6) – Europe clearly it in the business of making false promises and has a track record of making numerous ad hoc side by agreements in contravention of their own agreements.Current “proposals show exactly this – permanent accommodation dependent upon political position at the time – expediency.South Africa and Europe in their bilateral agreement obviously colluded to exclude the other SADC partners and then deliberately included Article 31 in the SACU agreement to ensure their ill-gotten advantage was maintained.This calls into question the credibility and goodwill of South Africa in any negotiations.Europe is guilty of imposing illegal taxation on ACP countries.The preferential tariffs for Canada and New Zealand, at the expense of ACP countries is a clear indicator of Europe’s duplicitous nature.The coming of environmental conditionality into the negotiating scene.(This was raised later with Dr M.after the meeting, at her request – fell on deaf ears?) I leave the readers to make their own judgements.Chris Smith Via e-mailIt highlights the age-old problem of conformity, perceptions of loyalty and the fundamental right to be different (and maybe right?).Does membership / employment of / by a social, political or economic entity entitle the powers-that-be to constrain the thinking, opinions and communication processes of the individual? It is quite obvious that publicly “slagging off” your company, your political party your social organisation or indeed your nation, in a tirade of invective targeting personalities, matters confidential or constantly dragging out issues from the past for personal gain is, quite rightly, going to get you what you deserve.But reasoned argument put forward in a responsible and well-presented manner as personal opinion, is a different kettle of fish; this is an essential part of democratic dialogue.As the media, including NBC, say on many occasions “opinions expressed are not necessarily the views of …”.If every company, political organisation or social grouping muzzled their employees or members to stick to the “party line” the only people who could express any form of different opinion would be those who have the means and intention to be independent.And there are not so many of those people around! No wonder dialogue is so sterile in Namibia.This, of course, explains why the meeting that I attended on EPA’s held on the 26th of April 2007 was so intellectually sterile.The excellent main presentation raised numerous points that deserved examination and discussion but when it came to question time there was 90 seconds of silence; the inference being those present either did not know what was going on; had no opinion to express (silence is consent), or; were themselves under an order of silence.I then raised the points indicated in the extract of my Aide memoire below; and yes, Wally Roux was there (I did not know him at that time), but of course in his official capacity and thus quite correctly remained silent.But I later found out, after his dispute with his employer became public, that his personally held views were remarkably similar to those that I had expressed, but better constructed.But of greater concern was that it is quite evident that those views are controversial and that no one was prepared to challenge them.Obviously the “small stock mentality” penetrates deeply into the fabric of our society.The basis of a Knowledge Based Economy is the ability to use and share knowledge AND apply it.By muzzling open debate in this manner Vision 2030 will remain just that.I hope MeatCo realises the wider implications of their policies and actions.Extract from personalaaide memoire for EPA meeting 08h00 26 April 2007, Nampower Centre; points raised in question time: That Europe is scared of real competition.It proposes free markets and practices protectionism.(Leather shoes from China – equivalent quality, lower-priced) Cotonou 37(6) – Europe clearly it in the business of making false promises and has a track record of making numerous ad hoc side by agreements in contravention of their own agreements.Current “proposals show exactly this – permanent accommodation dependent upon political position at the time – expediency.South Africa and Europe in their bilateral agreement obviously colluded to exclude the other SADC partners and then deliberately included Article 31 in the SACU agreement to ensure their ill-gotten advantage was maintained.This calls into question the credibility and goodwill of South Africa in any negotiations.Europe is guilty of imposing illegal taxation on ACP countries.The preferential tariffs for Canada and New Zealand, at the expense of ACP countries is a clear indicator of Europe’s duplicitous nature.The coming of environmental conditionality into the negotiating scene.(This was raised later with Dr M.after the meeting, at her request – fell on deaf ears?) I leave the readers to make their own judgements.Chris Smith Via e-mail