If I had a Hammer

‘IF I had a Hammer’ a song of the 60’s, was first sung by the Weavers at a left-wing rally in Peekskill, New York State in 1949 (writers, Pete Seeger/Lee Hays) where right wing fanatics and the FBI harassed performers and attendees.

The days when only ‘Commies’ were associated with the words freedom and justice! The McCarthy years of the 50’s carried on this less than admirable tradition of intolerance.The song became the anthem for the American Civil Rights Movement, later joined by ‘We shall Overcome’ as musical icons of peaceful political change worldwide. The last verse is self-explanatory – ‘When I’ve got a hammer, and I’ve got a bell, And I’ve got a song to sing all over this land, It’s a hammer of justice, it’s a bell of freedom, It’s a song about love between my brothers and my sisters, All over this land’. The ‘Hammer’ was a symbol of change.Never being a much of a liberal I have always rejected unfairness, hypocrisy, stupidity, bigotry, incompetence and the intimidation tactics of bullies and despots so my first foray into Africa (Uganda) in the early 70’s was a revelation as Idi Amin had just come to power. His expertise in handing out ‘justice’ with a hammer, originally a rumour but later substantiated with credible testimony, was a new spin on the symbolism of the ‘hammer’ as a tool of oppression. My innocence was shattered! I learnt about cruel despots and their henchmen, the disempowerment of populations, and most significant, the level of disinterest of the press and international community to such abuse where their financial interests are not affected! Such is life in extremis!. Then Botswana and in 1981, to (now) Namibia; and fell in love! Faith in Africa restored.South West Africa grew into Namibia; the Land of the Free rose from the ashes of the Cold War. Free and peaceful elections spawned a Swapo government. I was hooked on a manifesto promising inconspicuous wealth, modest government and a Constitution that seemed to make sense. The Nujoma charisma was infectious. I became and remain a proud Namibian with a Registration Certificate signed by Dr. Sam and have even worked as a public servant in the inner sanctum of GRN.I learnt to accept occasional aberrations of politics where injudicious statements are made in the passion of the moment especially in speeches made to the more malleable, easily influenced poor and less educated – basic voting fodder! All part of democratic growing pains. The Nujoma doctrine of reconciliation worked except at the rabid fringes. Namibia is a country of peaceful people able to manage their differences.Hence my horror at the reported, and so far uncontested recent speech by Dr Nujoma where he incited Namibians to resort to violence against my nation of origin (England) rather than peaceful resolution of differences; use hammers. Dr Nujoma, I have respected you for years; I have worked within your government; I believe in national reconciliation and the rule of Law. Your utterances anger me as incitement to violence and racism is not only in violation of the policy of National Reconciliation but is a flagrant violation of the rights enshrined in the Constitution of which we are so proud – you appear to have broken the Law. And sadly your legacy may well be tainted by this outburst.Dr Nujoma, please restore my faith in yourself, our leadership and my faith in the hammer as a symbol of freedom and justice. As a politician you know how to do this.csmith@mweb.com.na