PDM and Venaani Are On the Wrong Side of History

PDM leader McHenry Venaani is among the least qualified to lecture Swapo and its president, Hage G Geingob, on leadership of the country or the ‘Lubango dungeons’.

Venaani’s diatribe in the press following president Geingob’s address at the 63rd Swapo anniversary is nothing more than a feeble attempt to deflect from the blood-stained record of the former DTA, a party deformed by collaboration with the South African apartheid regime.

At the end of 2017, the DTA was renamed the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM). No rebranding, however, can erase the DTA’s record as an obstacle to our independence.

When president Geingob addressed the Swapo anniversary event at Grootfontein on 22 April 2023, he spoke about Swapo’s history.

As legendary pan-Africanist Marcus Garvey said: “A people without knowledge of their past history, origin and culture are like a tree without roots.”

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When celebrating 63 years of Swapo in spearheading liberation and nation-building, it was logical to revisit the past because of its relevance to our present.

Looking ahead, president Geingob also highlighted the Harambee Prosperity Plan II, the 4th Industrial Revolution, green hydrogen, as well as recent oil and gas discoveries, and the positive impact they will have on the lives of Namibians.

‘HOLLOW WINS’

In narrating the glorious history of Swapo, the truth about the DTA/PDM should be expected to come to light.

The tree planted by the DTA/PDM is rooted in a shameful past.

While many Namibians endured oppression, Venaani is arguably a beneficiary of apartheid. It is why he is not keen on revisiting the past.
The fact is the DTA was set up with slush funds from the apartheid security apparatus to oppose Swapo.

Under apartheid, courageous Namibians were imprisoned for standing up against oppression. They included John ya Otto, Andimba Toivo ya Toivo, Kaxumba Kandola, Gerson Veii, and others.

Comrades such as Immanuel Shifidi, Anton Lubowski, as well as those on the battlefield, including at Cassinga, were killed as a result of DTA connivance with the South African regime.

In 1978, Swapo was banned from participating in a sham South West African legislative election characterised by widespread intimidation through the activities of South African troops.

The DTA registered a fraudulent landslide victory and subsequently “governed” as a puppet regime which had to report to the colonial administrator general Louis Pienaar.

ZEROES AND HEROES

Contrary to Venaani’s claim that the DTA/PDM ended draconian apartheid laws, the DTA achieved zero in removing the core shackles of apartheid laws.

Swapo’s heroic struggle for independence culminated in the resounding defeat of DTA-supported South African troops and Unita at Cuito Cuanavale in Angola in 1988.

Despite the infusion of slush funds by the apartheid regime to try and prop up a DTA win, Swapo decisively defeated the party in the UN-supervised 1989 elections.

A new dawn was ushered in for Namibia and its people.

The whitewashing of the DTA’s role by ‘editors’ and ‘academics’ who state “political parties talk about the past when they don’t have anything to offer for the present and future”, should be viewed as misleading attacks on Swapo’s liberation struggle credentials and successful record of maintaining a united and stable Namibia.

When Venaani, who portrays himself as a moral high ground priest, changed the DTA to PDM, he never acknowledged the party’s historical guilt.

On the issue of the dungeons, prior to the 1989 UN elections Swapo and the apartheid regime, of which the DTA was a part, agreed to release all those detained on both sides as an important step in building a new Namibian nation.

‘ONWARD EVER’

As an inclusive leader and statesman who promotes transparency, accountability and prosperity, president Geingob has been at the forefront of nation-building.

The PDM has shown itself to be nothing more than a veteran handmaiden of bad politics. It has no plan or vision other than to oppose Swapo.
During Swapo’s 63rd anniversary event, president Geingob acknowledged things are not perfect.

The damage caused by more than a century of German colonialism and DTA-supported plunder under the apartheid administration cannot be undone in 33 years. However, we are starting to see the light of prosperity at the end of the tunnel through HPP I and II, green hydrogen, the discovery of lithium and other rare earth metals, and recent oil discoveries.

This is the legacy of peace. It is the legacy of Swapo and its leaders – from founding president Sam Nujoma to former president Hifikipenye Pohamba and now president Geingob. A revolutionary legacy second to none. 
 

• Emma Kantema-Gaomas, deputy minister of sport, youth and national service; Marius Sheya, governor, Kunene Region; Emma Theofelus, deputy minister of information, communication and technology; Neville Andre Itope, governor, Erongo Region; James Uerikua, governor, Otjozondjupa Region; Evelyn !Nawases-Taeyele, MP

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