Giving Praise To A Great Leader

KINDLY allow me space in your highly esteemed newspaper to comment on the opinion piece of Phil ya Nangolo which appeared in the Namibian of April 16, 2004.

I am of the opinion that statements of that nature and in that fashion should not be left unchallenged by patriotic citizens. Prophets of Doom have always been there since time memorial, but the opinion piece in question does not only predict a bleak future for the country but also mislead the readers with regard to the calibre of President Sam Nujoma and that of the Swapo Party of Namibia lest we forget why Swapo emerged.Such statements should be rejected with the contempt it deserves by all patriotic citizens and the international friends of Namibia.The opinion piece created an impression that our incumbent President is power hungry, and also misrepresents the facts relating to the so-called infighting among the Swapo Party rank and file with regard to succession and a lack of democracy in the structures of the party.Every movement or organization has its power dynamics and Swapo Party should not be singled out for criticism.The recent breakaway factions of the Official Opposition are testimony that power dynamics exist in all organizations.I would like to state that, people of ya Nangolo’s calibre should know better about the political dynamics in this country and should lead the illiterate masses to the truth and not make use of public platforms and their knowledge to mislead the youth and future generations of tomorrow.It is unfortunate to note that right from the beginning when he emerged as the Director of the National Society for Human Rights, he has opposed the Swapo Party of Namibia, its government and specifically its President and policies.When one reads between the lines of what he said with regard to the Swapo Party Central Committee decision to nominate three candidates for President, not only of the Swapo Party but also of the country after Dr.Sam Nujoma, one gets the impression that Swapo does not have democracy and that all decisions are dictatorially taken by President Nujoma.This is a clear misrepresentation of what Swapo is all about and is intended to sow seeds of doubt and mistrust in the people but also for the much needed investors intending to invest in the country.One just wonders who really pulls the strings of Mr. ya Nangolo? Democracy was brought in Namibia by Swapo and its leader President Sam Nujoma.It has been proven beyond reasonable doubt at the formation of the Swapo Party and recently by the Swapo Party Central Committee meeting of April 2, 2004 that the interest of the nation is far more important than that of an individual.I hereby submit that is has also been proven by the founding father of the nation and first President of the independent Republic of Namibia in his last State of the Nation’s Address that he will leave office by March 21, 2005 with confidence that the new head of state will build on the foundation that we have built collectively.Let us give praise to a great leader comrade! Ya Nangolo also cites the State House project to justify his claims, forgetting that the project is for the nation and not for an individual, and as it was earlier said, “…the State House project should represent the nation’s pride (Not the current one that represent a fallen racist regime of the former Apartheid South African administration) and should be a national monument for current and future generations”.It is only those who are patriots, those who comprehend, those who are humble that can appreciate the efforts of the Swapo Party government to build a national monument of that magnitude.I am confident that if I go to the graves of Mr. ya Nangolo’s parents, I will be able to find a tombstone.Why should all citizens and a free nation not have something to relate to, to be proud of and to identify themselves with? I would like to focus on ya Nangolo’s opinion piece in particular but not limit myself to mention that in general people are out there to mislead the nation.In Swapo we have learnt to tolerate this, but I am of the opinion that they should be opposed and excluded by all peace loving and progressive citizens, by all means possible! Mr. Ya Nangolo, the President is not so narcissistic to fire the cadres that he has led as you think and suggest in your opinion piece.The President will not dissolve the Parliament to cling to power, the President is not Robert Mugabe and for that matter Namibia is certainly not going to take the Zimbabwe route to resolve the land issue.A government should make decisions that are in the interest of the nation and a government is mandated by the electorate to make decisions on their behalf.The decision to expropriate land is in the national interest and in line with the constitutional provisions.As bona-fida members of the Party, we expect our leaders to take action and implement the Swapo Party Manifesto of the last elections.Please do not try to score cheap political points in this regard.I would like to thank the President of the Republic of Namibia on behalf of those who argue like me for the generous contribution he has made to the future of the Land of the Brave.Your dedicated service during the struggle and after independence will never be forgotten.Your wise philosophical saying that, “a victim never forgets, but the doer does” is true in the circumstances.Those who criticize the people’s movement Swapo, and its founding leader today was part and parcel of the system that caused a lot of inequities in all social structures of the black people.Mr. ya Nangolo’s opinion piece and those that are similar in content are not welcome in Namibia, particularly at a time that the people are nominating their next leader.Remember, we shall forgive but never forget what happened in Namibia prior to independence and especially those who have sacrificed their lives for this nation.Today we are a free people with only one aim; to restore our dignity and claim back what was stolen and what belongs to us.I would like to conclude by quoting his Excellency in his last State of the Nation’s address, “A united people striving to achieve a common goal for all members of the society, will always remain victorious”.Let these philosophical words of wisdom be the building blocks of our future endeavors comrades.Johannes T. Kangandjera Via e-mailProphets of Doom have always been there since time memorial, but the opinion piece in question does not only predict a bleak future for the country but also mislead the readers with regard to the calibre of President Sam Nujoma and that of the Swapo Party of Namibia lest we forget why Swapo emerged.Such statements should be rejected with the contempt it deserves by all patriotic citizens and the international friends of Namibia.The opinion piece created an impression that our incumbent President is power hungry, and also misrepresents the facts relating to the so-called infighting among the Swapo Party rank and file with regard to succession and a lack of democracy in the structures of the party.Every movement or organization has its power dynamics and Swapo Party should not be singled out for criticism.The recent breakaway factions of the Official Opposition are testimony that power dynamics exist in all organizations.I would like to state that, people of ya Nangolo’s calibre should know better about the political dynamics in this country and should lead the illiterate masses to the truth and not make use of public platforms and their knowledge to mislead the youth and future generations of tomorrow.It is unfortunate to note that right from the beginning when he emerged as the Director of the National Society for Human Rights, he has opposed the Swapo Party of Namibia, its government and specifically its President and policies.When one reads between the lines of what he said with regard to the Swapo Party Central Committee decision to nominate three candidates for President, not only of the Swapo Party but also of the country after Dr.Sam Nujoma, one gets the impression that Swapo does not have democracy and that all decisions are dictatorially taken by President Nujoma.This is a clear misrepresentation of what Swapo is all about and is intended to sow seeds of doubt and mistrust in the people but also for the much needed investors intending to invest in the country.One just wonders who really pulls the strings of Mr. ya Nangolo? Democracy was brought in Namibia by Swapo and its leader President Sam Nujoma.It has been proven beyond reasonable doubt at the formation of the Swapo Party and recently by the Swapo Party Central Committee meeting of April 2, 2004 that the interest of the nation is far more important than that of an individual.I hereby submit that is has also been proven by the founding father of the nation and first President of the independent Republic of Namibia in his last State of the Nation’s Address that he will leave office by March 21, 2005 with confidence that the new head of state will build on the foundation that we have built collectively.Let us give praise to a great leader comrade! Ya Nangolo also cites the State House project to justify his claims, forgetting that the project is for the nation and not for an individual, and as it was earlier said, “…the State House project should represent the nation’s pride (Not the current one that represent a fallen racist regime of the former Apartheid South African administration) and should be a national monument for current and future generations”.It is only those who are patriots, those who comprehend, those who are humble that can appreciate the efforts of the Swapo Party government to build a national monument of that magnitude.I am confident that if I go to the graves of Mr. ya Nangolo’s parents, I will be able to find a tombstone.Why should all citizens and a free nation not have something to relate to, to be proud of and to identify themselves with? I would like to focus on ya Nangolo’s opinion piece in particular but not limit myself to mention that in general people are out there to mislead the nation.In Swapo we have learnt to tolerate this, but I am of the opinion that they should be opposed and excluded by all peace loving and progressive citizens, by all means possible! Mr. Ya Nangolo, the President is not so narcissistic to fire the cadres that he has led as you think and suggest in your opinion piece.The President will not dissolve the Parliament to cling to power, the President is not Robert Mugabe and for that matter Namibia is certainly not going to take the Zimbabwe route to resolve the land issue.A government should make decisions that are in the interest of the nation and a government is mandated by the electorate to make decisions on their behalf.The decision to expropriate land is in the national interest and in line with the constitutional provisions.As bona-fida members of the Party, we expect our leaders to take action and implement the Swapo Party Manifesto of the last elections.Please do not try to score cheap political points in this regard.I would like to thank the President of the Republic of Namibia on behalf of those who argue like me for the generous contribution he has made to the future of the Land of the Brave.Your dedicated service during the struggle and after independence will never be forgotten.Your wise philosophical saying that, “a victim never forgets, but the doer does” is true in the circumstances.Those who criticize the people’s movement Swapo, and its founding leader today was part and parcel of the system that caused a lot of inequities in all social structures of the black people.Mr. ya Nangolo’s opinion piece and those that are similar in content are not welcome in Namibia, particularly at a time that the people are nominating their next leader.Remember, we shall forgive but never forget what happened in Namibia prior to independence and especially those who have sacrificed their lives for this nation.Today we are a free people with only one aim; to restore our dignity and claim back what was stolen and what belongs to us.I would like to conclude by quoting his Excellency in his last State of the Nation’s address, “A united people striving to achieve a common goal for all members of the society, will always remain victorious”. Let these philosophical words of wisdom be the building blocks of our future endeavors comrades.Johannes T. Kangandjera Via e-mail