On The Entitlement Of The Exile

IT IS not surprising at all to see and hear voices of war veterans and their kids crying out to Government for jobs and lump sums. What is really happening here? Why should there be rewards? The ruling party created an impression of rewarding comrades based on exile connections and so forth. Now we have kids demanding a share of what they do not deserve.

IT IS not surprising at all to see and hear voices of war veterans and their kids crying out to Government for jobs and lump sums. What is really happening here? Why should there be rewards? The ruling party created an impression of rewarding comrades based on exile connections and so forth. Now we have kids demanding a share of what they do not deserve. Who sent who to exile? Who promised who what? War veterans want lump sums, but why? Why don’t they look for work like all Namibians? They must fend for themselves like all other Namibians. The national budget which is drawn mainly from taxpayers was not supposed to be the source for war vets’ payouts nor for the kids. That is a national cake for all of us, exile or no exile.
We can see clearly that the ruling party has no clear direction on the issue, so God knows what’s next. Now the war vets threaten not to vote, not knowing whether they mean not voting for Swapo or for any party. And who cares? Among others, I heard that they claim what they were promised in exile on the eve of returning to Namibia, but by whom they do not say. They do not want projects because they want money in their pockets. When they get the money now, at the next general elections they will threaten the same, so Government must take a firm stance. Loss of votes is not anything to fear, principles must be exercised.
The Ministry of Veteran Affairs is one with no clear purpose. Did we need to have one? It is so abused before it even starts to function, the beneficiaries will run it into the ground someday.
It is more like a kindergarten story. That is why reference to exile must come to an end. It creates an impression in the minds of those who were there that they deserve more than those who were struggling at home. We must move on as a nation, we do not need to dwell much on history unless we live in reverse as a nation which we should not do. To date, the meaning of a war vet is still a moot point in parliament. As far as human rights are concerned our government has an equal duty towards all of us, no matter the contribution to the liberation struggle. In fact contribution to the liberation struggle is a personality issue and should not be linked to any monetary rewards. Does it mean when you are a hero we should pour all the benefits over you at the expense of other Namibians? All kids in this country are entitled to jobs and all services by the state within its available means.
This is the time when the ruling party should evidence its might as it has claimed all along. If it is a mighty party they should take a prudent decision over the issue. Paying lump sums is not the correct thing to do.
As a true citizen of this country I feel Government should not be pushed about by a small group of people at the expense of the masses. Government must not prefer some citizens above others. The Constitution is clear on equality, I am not sure of what it says on war vets and the kids. If there is a provision on this subject we ought to interpret the provision very carefully to avoid embarrassing ourselves.
We need to get real and serious and stop these games of camping at government offices. While the ruling party must be principled in the way it deals with matters of national concern, I am sure the kids and the war vets know certain things about the ruling party that many of us do not know with regard why they should get money, jobs etc. It is however unfortunate that the present Namibia is no longer an exile story.
The kids should go to school. The war vets should look for work or till the land if they do not have job marketable skills. Or else a different group will emerge demanding compensation on new grounds. Who knows what the kids of the kids of the war vets will demand ten years from now.
N Ntelamo
Ongwediva