NBC Chops Oshi Chat

ALLOW me a space in your reliable newspaper to practise my freedom of expression.

I am very much concerned about the way freedom of speech and expressions are being handled by the NBC national radio and some government leaders. It seems like the freedom to give and receive information is becoming a sensitive issue to the government of this country.The NBC’s chat show programme ‘Omayele Koshigwana’ or the well-known ‘Ewi lya Manguluka’ is showing signs of coming to an end.This important programme which people, including the youth, use to express their views and opinions, seems to be facing censorship.The programme that was consecutively broadcasted for five days a week is now being aired only twice a week.Does that mean Oshiwambo chat show is worthless in comparison to the English morning and night shows, which are still being broadcast uninterruptedly on a weekly basis – does the government have a hidden agenda?Free speech is an important component of democracy.Elimination of such a programme is a violation of the inalienable rights of free speech and expression.In a keynote address on the occasion of Swapo Party Youth League fundraising bazaar at Etilyasa in the north on June 26 2004, Attorney General Honourable, Pendukeni Iivula-Itana, castigated at some youth who just go speak out in chat programme ‘Ewi lya Manguluka’, Open Line or write letters and spread confusion and think they are contributing to the development of their country.Under the circumstances, I am afraid, our future looks bleak.The Attorney General went on to explain that the Bantu education system was designed to ‘keep our thinking at a certain level’, but at the same time she calls on critical/independent thinkers (youth) of doing things in a wrong way, spreading confusion with speeches completely devoid of facts or analysis, the misleading youth of today.This is political intimidation aimed at cementing the youth’s thinking at a certain level as colonisers have done.As the chief law officer of the government and a member of parliament, Minister Iivula-Ithana, needs to respect the rule of law, our Constitution, which guarantees the inalienable fundamental rights and freedoms (Article 21 (1) (a)) that states: ‘All persons shall have the right to freedom of speech and press and other media’.The opinions and views of others must be recognised and respected without necessarily agreeing with them.Leaders need to promote the active and effective participation of citizens in public affairs that affect their lives.Democracy is realised through an ongoing process that involves dialogue, discussion and debate.I am therefore calling upon the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation to reinstate the Oshiwambo chat show programme, daily.The chief law officer of the government must refrain from unlawful and unconstitutional activities and behave as a representative of all people, including those of critical thinking skills, and perform her duties guided by the objectives of the Namibian Constitution, by public interest and by her conscience.Stefanus Nande Mvula OndangwaIt seems like the freedom to give and receive information is becoming a sensitive issue to the government of this country.The NBC’s chat show programme ‘Omayele Koshigwana’ or the well-known ‘Ewi lya Manguluka’ is showing signs of coming to an end.This important programme which people, including the youth, use to express their views and opinions, seems to be facing censorship.The programme that was consecutively broadcasted for five days a week is now being aired only twice a week.Does that mean Oshiwambo chat show is worthless in comparison to the English morning and night shows, which are still being broadcast uninterruptedly on a weekly basis – does the government have a hidden agenda?Free speech is an important component of democracy.Elimination of such a programme is a violation of the inalienable rights of free speech and expression.In a keynote address on the occasion of Swapo Party Youth League fundraising bazaar at Etilyasa in the north on June 26 2004, Attorney General Honourable, Pendukeni Iivula-Itana, castigated at some youth who just go speak out in chat programme ‘Ewi lya Manguluka’, Open Line or write letters and spread confusion and think they are contributing to the development of their country.Under the circumstances, I am afraid, our future looks bleak.The Attorney General went on to explain that the Bantu education system was designed to ‘keep our thinking at a certain level’, but at the same time she calls on critical/independent thinkers (youth) of doing things in a wrong way, spreading confusion with speeches completely devoid of facts or analysis, the misleading youth of today.This is political intimidation aimed at cementing the youth’s thinking at a certain level as colonisers have done.As the chief law officer of the government and a member of parliament, Minister Iivula-Ithana, needs to respect the rule of law, our Constitution, which guarantees the inalienable fundamental rights and freedoms (Article 21 (1) (a)) that states: ‘All persons shall have the right to freedom of speech and press and other media’.The opinions and views of others must be recognised and respected without necessarily agreeing with them.Leaders need to promote the active and effective participation of citizens in public affairs that affect their lives.Democracy is realised through an ongoing process that involves dialogue, discussion and debate.I am therefore calling upon the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation to reinstate the Oshiwambo chat show programme, daily.The chief law officer of the government must refrain from unlawful and unconstitutional activities and behave as a representative of all people, including those of critical thinking skills, and perform her duties guided by the objectives of the Namibian Constitution, by public interest and by her conscience.Stefanus Nande Mvula Ondangwa