Gwen Not Wrong About Nujoma Speech

I READ the letter from the reader headlined ‘Gwen Lister is wrong about Dr Sam Nujoma’ (June 5 2009); I also read Gwen’s Political Perspective on the recent statements of the Father of the Nation. In reaction to the reader, I fully respect his views and opinions. I however think that he badly argued his position on the issue. There is an element of subjectivity in his presentation and also an element of discomfort with whites, in as far as they connect to the past, and this made his presentation rather skewed. I may be corrected here, this is my objective take of his piece.

My submission as regards the Founding President’s statements is that his words should be interpreted using the ordinary meaning of those words. I cannot think he intended to obscure the whole meaning of his speeches so that the audience should go around interpreting the speeches in a poetic manner. I am sure many would agree with me that plain English is at work in Namibia and there is no basis in thinking that the Founding President meant to decorate his speech to obscure the import thereof. We have listened to him many times before, I do not see a change in the imperialists he talked about then and now. I think Gwen’s perspective was in point. She is an editor with a wealth of experience and academic knowledge more than many of us. I do no think it is fair to say she is wrong, suggesting that she misunderstood the correct import of the speeches. Her perspective was thus correct, in my view. It does not matter whether she is white. The Government has already talked of reconciliation in all its facets and we cannot now forget that in a hurry.As regards whites owning excessive land and the private sector issue the reader wrote about, my stance on the two aspects will now follow. I will not blame any whites for owning large pieces of land anymore. Or controlling and running big business empires in the private sector. Honestly, how many years have we been independent with a black man as Head of State? The Government has power to bring in new laws to level the playing field for everybody, if Government cannot do that then it is useless. For that you cannot blame whites when you are in power yourself. This country has a legislature and their task is to legislate in accordance with what society dictates. I mean even if we blame whites now it is really low focus because some blacks are becoming richer overnight than others. I have a feeling based on my observation, it could be poor observation but I stand by it, that some blacks have become very rich at a much faster speed than many whites. And even among blacks it is not all fair and equal, we all know that. Tenders are being awarded under questionable circumstances not by the whites, but us blacks. The reader should give a consideration for this as well.In conclusion, yes I believe the Founding President is a forward-looking great statesman. He has done a lot for this country with the support of us Namibians. I think it would comfort many Namibians if he would be more calm and peaceful in his speeches, especially when talking about foreigners. If there are any foreigners or countries that are at war with Namibia in any way, then he could perhaps be more direct so that the masses do not pick up the wrong vibes about his real intentions. I really catch a fright sometimes when he raises his finger charging, I ask myself whether there is a war in the offing or is he simply being himself. NNWindhoek, Via e-mail