Kavendjii Apologises For Fistfight

ALLOW me space in your esteemed newspaper to respond to a report, which appeared in The Namibian of Monday June 4, ‘Erongo Council member in fistfight’.

First, I would like to apologise to those who witnessed the incident and the discomfort that this may have potentially created. My apology goes to the Governor, His Worship the Mayor of Walvis Bay and other dignitaries.The truth of the matter is that you witnessed a saga, which resulted from a business deal gone wrong.I was defending myself against someone who actually robbed me of my meagre resources.I was perhaps too quick to react; maybe he would have benefited from the speech of the Mayor and others who had something to say about business ethics that day.The newspapers bemoaned the fact that this incident took place “in full view of VIPs” attending a business function.The truth is that the person who refuses to give me my money does not actually belong there.It is somewhat interesting that such a high-level business activity would attract anyone under the sun, including businesspeople who treat their customers with such disrespect.If I had the time to say why the incident took place there, I think you would agree that this incident was a blessing in disguise, in that it simply reinforced the theoretical lectures which many of these highly trained people had to deliver about customer relations at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.I strongly believe that running a business is serious and one cannot operate successfully without due regard to sound business practices.I appeal to the business houses to impart sufficient people skills to their members to avoid such incidents in the future.I became weak emotionally after three hours of humiliation and running between the shop and the Police station.The person in question disregarded the Namibian Police’s cordial intervention prior to the incident.As a responsible citizen, I tried to avoid the incident but this gesture was met with hostility.Therefore, I take no responsibility for what followed after all these attempts came to naught.In short, I know many people, particularly professional colleagues, would appraise me for such a display in public.It now rests with you folks to accept that what happen did happen and it is over.Similarly, I thank those of you who clogged my mobile phone with messages of mutual pain and support.It is not easy to be labelled a ‘Tyson’ just because a business transaction turned so sour.In the spirit of forgiving and looking forward, I would urge colleagues and the like to desist from name-calling tendencies.This incident has profoundly affected family, friends and me.Vikurupa T Kavendjii SwakopmundMy apology goes to the Governor, His Worship the Mayor of Walvis Bay and other dignitaries.The truth of the matter is that you witnessed a saga, which resulted from a business deal gone wrong.I was defending myself against someone who actually robbed me of my meagre resources.I was perhaps too quick to react; maybe he would have benefited from the speech of the Mayor and others who had something to say about business ethics that day.The newspapers bemoaned the fact that this incident took place “in full view of VIPs” attending a business function.The truth is that the person who refuses to give me my money does not actually belong there.It is somewhat interesting that such a high-level business activity would attract anyone under the sun, including businesspeople who treat their customers with such disrespect.If I had the time to say why the incident took place there, I think you would agree that this incident was a blessing in disguise, in that it simply reinforced the theoretical lectures which many of these highly trained people had to deliver about customer relations at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.I strongly believe that running a business is serious and one cannot operate successfully without due regard to sound business practices.I appeal to the business houses to impart sufficient people skills to their members to avoid such incidents in the future.I became weak emotionally after three hours of humiliation and running between the shop and the Police station.The person in question disregarded the Namibian Police’s cordial intervention prior to the incident.As a responsible citizen, I tried to avoid the incident but this gesture was met with hostility.Therefore, I take no responsibility for what followed after all these attempts came to naught.In short, I know many people, particularly professional colleagues, would appraise me for such a display in public.It now rests with you folks to accept that what happen did happen and it is over.Similarly, I thank those of you who clogged my mobile phone with messages of mutual pain and support.It is not easy to be labelled a ‘Tyson’ just because a business transaction turned so sour.In the spirit of forgiving and looking forward, I would urge colleagues and the like to desist from name-calling tendencies.This incident has profoundly affected family, friends and me.Vikurupa T Kavendjii Swakopmund