Namibia’s Forgotten Heroes

ON 26 August, Namibians paid respect to their heroes and heroines of our struggle.

As always, I’m so grateful to be reminded on this day of the deep and abiding debt we owe to all Namibians who paid the supreme sacrifice for our freedom. Today, we’re free – because of the brave! Last week, I honoured the fallen, for they gave their life blood for our freedom.I also rememberedthe veterans, for they remind us of the vast debt we owe to all those who valiantly fought for our freedom and nationhood.With all the tragedy that had befallen scores of Namibian patriots during the war of liberation, I think a group of people is consistently overlooked when it comes to “thank yous” and remembrances.This group are the victims of cleansing campaigns in exile, our best and bravest young Namibian patriots who died like dogs in the prison camps of Angola and Zambia.It’s time to at least acknowledge their contributions.I’m sure this genuine call would generate some emotional baggage.And the naysayers, who’re hell-bent on denigrating the heroism and sacrifice of these unfortunate victims of our liberation struggle, would harp on the trite political lie of them having been ‘enemy collaborators’.Ironically, those who shout the loudest of all have never walked an inch in their shoes.But that’s just politics.We can disagree on politics.But what about these true freedom fighters? Why must the heroes of our struggle continue to be slandered in speech after speech to support the misguided political agendas of a few? Can’t we draw a line of decency somewhere? Many of these victims of the politics of purges and dungeons – like the fallen and the veterans, showed bravery and self-sacrifice, in standing up to the deadly apartheid war machine for the cause of freedom.Freedom to choose, freedom to act, freedom to speak, freedom to move, freedom to worship, freedom to work, freedom to own property.Let’s start to honour the good and decent men and women who left their homes and risked their lives for something bigger than themselves.When they’re forgotten by us as a free people today, then that tells how far we have fallen morally.We need to put our future on the line to tell the truth about these freedom fighters.Anyone with enough of an open mind to consider that there are still stories left untold to Namibians.Stories of heroism and sacrifice of the many victims of our own exile politics of ‘dog eats dog’.In other words: The Truth.Every time we tell their story makes these heroes less forgotten.Every reminder jabs a finger in the eye of a Namibian that lies about them.These forgotten heroes have a friend in every Namibian with a dream.With a love of country, freedom and truth.As we talk about the bravery of freedom fighters, we also need to have the courage and openness to talk about the nasty things of the liberation war: mistaken strategy, tribal dilettantism; the weakness disguised as courageous determination; the illusions, arrogance and boasting; the addiction to an impulse of revenge; the cruelty and the lack of moral inhibitions.Let’s keep these unheralded Namibian heroes in our thoughts and prayers as we continue their struggle for peace, justice and progress in our country.It’s time for the rest of us to return great Namibians to the pedestals they deserve.I’ll not forget them, and I’ll train up my children to honour and respect all those who are Namibia’s heroes.By reintroducing our heroes to our children can we show them that there are real people worthy of recognition and emulation.And not the self-anointed ones! Namibian Patriot Windhoek Note: Name and address provided – EdToday, we’re free – because of the brave! Last week, I honoured the fallen, for they gave their life blood for our freedom.I also rememberedthe veterans, for they remind us of the vast debt we owe to all those who valiantly fought for our freedom and nationhood.With all the tragedy that had befallen scores of Namibian patriots during the war of liberation, I think a group of people is consistently overlooked when it comes to “thank yous” and remembrances.This group are the victims of cleansing campaigns in exile, our best and bravest young Namibian patriots who died like dogs in the prison camps of Angola and Zambia.It’s time to at least acknowledge their contributions.I’m sure this genuine call would generate some emotional baggage.And the naysayers, who’re hell-bent on denigrating the heroism and sacrifice of these unfortunate victims of our liberation struggle, would harp on the trite political lie of them having been ‘enemy collaborators’.Ironically, those who shout the loudest of all have never walked an inch in their shoes.But that’s just politics.We can disagree on politics.But what about these true freedom fighters? Why must the heroes of our struggle continue to be slandered in speech after speech to support the misguided political agendas of a few? Can’t we draw a line of decency somewhere? Many of these victims of the politics of purges and dungeons – like the fallen and the veterans, showed bravery and self-sacrifice, in standing up to the deadly apartheid war machine for the cause of freedom.Freedom to choose, freedom to act, freedom to speak, freedom to move, freedom to worship, freedom to work, freedom to own property.Let’s start to honour the good and decent men and women who left their homes and risked their lives for something bigger than themselves.When they’re forgotten by us as a free people today, then that tells how far we have fallen morally.We need to put our future on the line to tell the truth about these freedom fighters.Anyone with enough of an open mind to consider that there are still stories left untold to Namibians.Stories of heroism and sacrifice of the many victims of our own exile politics of ‘dog eats dog’.In other words: The Truth.Every time we tell their story makes these heroes less forgotten.Every reminder jabs a finger in the eye of a Namibian that lies about them.These forgotten heroes have a friend in every Namibian with a dream.With a love of country, freedom and truth.As we talk about the bravery of freedom fighters, we also need to have the courage and openness to talk about the nasty things of the liberation war: mistaken strategy, tribal dilettantism; the weakness disguised as courageous determination; the illusions, arrogance and boasting; the addiction to an impulse of revenge; the cruelty and the lack of moral inhibitions.Let’s keep these unheralded Namibian heroes in our thoughts and prayers as we continue their struggle for peace, justice and progress in our country.It’s time for the rest of us to return great Namibians to the pedestals they deserve.I’ll not forget them, and I’ll train up my children to honour and respect all those who are Namibia’s heroes.By reintroducing our heroes to our children can we show them that there are real people worthy of recognition and emulation.And not the self-anointed ones! Namibian Patriot Windhoek Note: Name and address provided – Ed

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