Plan fighters: Why no reparation for their sacrifices?

PEOPLE I come across in Namibia and abroad always confront me with the same painful questions: How did you lose your arm? How long were you imprisoned? Have you ever been compensated? If not, why? I think as long as I live, these kind of questions will never stop because of the visible physical mark I carry – an amputated right arm.

I believe every freedom fighter alive – like myself or worse off – suffers the same questions. With the policy of national reconciliation, the long-awaited issue of compensation or reparation for war victims or freedom fighters in general was never brought up in the open for discussion or anything.Many comrades, like myself, assumed that this issue would automatically be one of the number one priorities to be tackled by the Swapo Government in order to take care of the situation – just like in other countries after their wars of liberation.This, unfortunately, has not happened yet in Namibia – even after 15 years of Independence – and I hope everyone is concerned about this The fact that His Excellency, the President of Namibia, Dr Sam Nujoma, is probably going to step down in March 2005 can indeed worsen these worries.Now the following questions can be raised: Why the silence on the matter? What is wrong with our own people in Cabinet? If they still have good intentions, for how long can this remain the best-kept secret of the party hierarchy? When is the issue going to coming up as a democratic debate for public information? We are also keen to know: What is going to happen to us with regard to the issue of compensation or reparations.With Independence, people who were working under the illegal apartheid administration of South Africa, and some of whom were involved in oppressing their fellow Namibians, demanded their pensions (compensation for that matter) to be paid out.This was done and they continue to receive their pensions from the Swapo Government even today.What is the reason for Swapo denying justice to its own comrades (themselves included)? Countries like Zimbabwe and South Africa have economically empowered their freedom fighters to settle after independence, and they did this without delay because they knew, beyond all doubt, that this was the right thing to do.When the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa issued its 2003 final report on war victims, I was in South Africa.I spoke to former commission members and I have familiarised myself with the way they have handled the situation.It was really great to see how other governments are committed to first look into the plight and rights of their own freedom fighters.It is high time therefore that the Swapo Government does something about the matter before it is too late.Freedom fighters, their children and their supporters are without doubt the backbone of the Swapo party.The better they are taken care of and the more they are economically uplifted and empowered, the longer the Swapo party will live.Therefore they should enjoy priority with the Swapo Government.We were in the service of the Swapo administration from the day we joined the party in exile or the day we landed in prisons for the just cause of the liberation struggle for Namibia.We rendered a variety of services to Swapo without remuneration.These included sacrifices and suffering – all for a better tomorrow.And it was our most fervent hope and strong belief that motivated us with the courage to carry on the struggle to the bitter end.The struggle was long and bitter, but we did not surrender.We braced ourselves and stood firm unmoved as comrades in arms with solidarity until the day of Independence.A job well done indeed! In any part of human history, any distinct or exceptional contribution (or a job well done) is highly appreciated and usually rewarded financially.Even Christians expect to be rewarded by Christ in heaven according to their good deeds on earth.If their expectations are not met, they will be very disappointed.The comrades who were imprisoned for periods of 1 – 15 years or more (including myself for seven years) were motivated and encouraged by hope to keep up their spirit and morale during the struggle – no matter the cost to themselves – for we thought the reward was certain, come Independence.This was believed by the political prisoners in the country or on Robben Island.Every PLAN freedom fighter with no place to sleep, who had to travel far on foot through thick bush, jungle, heavy rains and scorching heat, sometimes without enough food or water, was also motivated by the hope that there would be a brighter future and a reward for their bravery.The same applies to every Swapo member or supporter whose homestead, shop or mahangu field was destroyed by enemy Casspir or burnt down by the notorious Koevoet bandits because of the assistance they gave to PLAN freedom fighters – no matter the loss.In fact, the aim of the struggle was to liberate the country from the colonialists and their surrogates and to improve the quality of the political and economical life of our people.While improving the quality of life, the Swapo Government and party alike were supposed to give priority to those who physically participated in the war for liberation (the ones I call the backbone of Swapo).But their dedication to this just cause that has now made the freedom fighters the most disadvantaged people in independent Namibia.The situation is not supposed to be like this after 15 years of Independence.Therefore, the Cabinet needs to seriously address this issue and to redefine their priorities before it is too late.The issue of compensation for freedom fighters and war victims e.g. must enjoy urgent attention before, for instance, the new State House or the upgrading of the international airport.People must always come first and not luxury ideas.It would be fair and wise therefore to impartially compensate all Swapo freedom fighters who lost employment opportunities in apartheid south Africa’s illegal administration.After all, they were either in jail, under house arrest or forced into exile from where they waged the struggle for liberation.I learnt with dismay that the Swapo party allegedly rewarded the former Robben Island prisoners with 10 head of cattle each – I am speaking under correction.If this was really the case, this was totally unfair and unacceptable.All prisoners must enjoy equal status when it comes to economic empowerment.There are prisoners who suffered much more than the Robben Island prisoners – I don’t need to go into details.The comrades who made sacrifices or died before or after Independence should be honoured and rewarded posthumously.Their children and relatives should have both the right and privilege to share the fruits of their bravery – a job well done.I cannot accept the unfair excuse of lack of funds used by politicians to wipe their hands of the issue.At issue here is the willingness of our cabinet and the silence surrounding the problem.They have had enough time to raise funds for the purpose of compensation or special pensions as they now call it in some countries.Power to the brave steadfast freedom fighters.- Willy Mary Amutenya – MarientalWith the policy of national reconciliation, the long-awaited issue of compensation or reparation for war victims or freedom fighters in general was never brought up in the open for discussion or anything. Many comrades, like myself, assumed that this issue would automatically be one of the number one priorities to be tackled by the Swapo Government in order to take care of the situation – just like in other countries after their wars of liberation. This, unfortunately, has not happened yet in Namibia – even after 15 years of Independence – and I hope everyone is concerned about this The fact that His Excellency, the President of Namibia, Dr Sam Nujoma, is probably going to step down in March 2005 can indeed worsen these worries. Now the following questions can be raised: Why the silence on the matter? What is wrong with our own people in Cabinet? If they still have good intentions, for how long can this remain the best-kept secret of the party hierarchy? W
hen is the issue going to coming up as a democratic debate for public information? We are also keen to know: What is going to happen to us with regard to the issue of compensation or reparations. With Independence, people who were working under the illegal apartheid administration of South Africa, and some of whom were involved in oppressing their fellow Namibians, demanded their pensions (compensation for that matter) to be paid out. This was done and they continue to receive their pensions from the Swapo Government even today. What is the reason for Swapo denying justice to its own comrades (themselves included)? Countries like Zimbabwe and South Africa have economically empowered their freedom fighters to settle after independence, and they did this without delay because they knew, beyond all doubt, that this was the right thing to do. When the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa issued its 2003 final report on war victims, I was in South Africa. I spoke to former commission members and I have familiarised myself with the way they have handled the situation. It was really great to see how other governments are committed to first look into the plight and rights of their own freedom fighters. It is high time therefore that the Swapo Government does something about the matter before it is too late. Freedom fighters, their children and their supporters are without doubt the backbone of the Swapo party. The better they are taken care of and the more they are economically uplifted and empowered, the longer the Swapo party will live. Therefore they should enjoy priority with the Swapo Government. We were in the service of the Swapo administration from the day we joined the party in exile or the day we landed in prisons for the just cause of the liberation struggle for Namibia. We rendered a variety of services to Swapo without remuneration. These included sacrifices and suffering – all for a better tomorrow. And it was our most fervent hope and strong belief that motivated us with the courage to carry on the struggle to the bitter end. The struggle was long and bitter, but we did not surrender. We braced ourselves and stood firm unmoved as comrades in arms with solidarity until the day of Independence. A job well done indeed! In any part of human history, any distinct or exceptional contribution (or a job well done) is highly appreciated and usually rewarded financially. Even Christians expect to be rewarded by Christ in heaven according to their good deeds on earth. If their expectations are not met, they will be very disappointed. The comrades who were imprisoned for periods of 1 – 15 years or more (including myself for seven years) were motivated and encouraged by hope to keep up their spirit and morale during the struggle – no matter the cost to themselves – for we thought the reward was certain, come Independence. This was believed by the political prisoners in the country or on Robben Island. Every PLAN freedom fighter with no place to sleep, who had to travel far on foot through thick bush, jungle, heavy rains and scorching heat, sometimes without enough food or water, was also motivated by the hope that there would be a brighter future and a reward for their bravery. The same applies to every Swapo member or supporter whose homestead, shop or mahangu field was destroyed by enemy Casspir or burnt down by the notorious Koevoet bandits because of the assistance they gave to PLAN freedom fighters – no matter the loss. In fact, the aim of the struggle was to liberate the country from the colonialists and their surrogates and to improve the quality of the political and economical life of our people. While improving the quality of life, the Swapo Government and party alike were supposed to give priority to those who physically participated in the war for liberation (the ones I call the backbone of Swapo). But their dedication to this just cause that has now made the freedom fighters the most disadvantaged people in independent Namibia. The situation is not supposed to be like this after 15 years of Independence. Therefore, the Cabinet needs to seriously address this issue and to redefine their priorities before it is too late. The issue of compensation for freedom fighters and war victims e.g. must enjoy urgent attention before, for instance, the new State House or the upgrading of the international airport. People must always come first and not luxury ideas. It would be fair and wise therefore to impartially compensate all Swapo freedom fighters who lost employment opportunities in apartheid south Africa’s illegal administration. After all, they were either in jail, under house arrest or forced into exile from where they waged the struggle for liberation. I learnt with dismay that the Swapo party allegedly rewarded the former Robben Island prisoners with 10 head of cattle each – I am speaking under correction. If this was really the case, this was totally unfair and unacceptable. All prisoners must enjoy equal status when it comes to economic empowerment. There are prisoners who suffered much more than the Robben Island prisoners – I don’t need to go into details. The comrades who made sacrifices or died before or after Independence should be honoured and rewarded posthumously. Their children and relatives should have both the right and privilege to share the fruits of their bravery – a job well done. I cannot accept the unfair excuse of lack of funds used by politicians to wipe their hands of the issue. At issue here is the willingness of our cabinet and the silence surrounding the problem. They have had enough time to raise funds for the purpose of compensation or special pensions as they now call it in some countries. Power to the brave steadfast freedom fighters.- Willy Mary Amutenya – Mariental