Playing With Our Future?

KINDLY allow me some space in your newspaper to air some views from the South on the current debate concerning the national policy of reconciliation.

It is indeed regrettable that the National Society for Human Rights has taken the path of national destruction by submitting alleged human rights abuse by the Namibian Founding President. The latter has stood firm where others wavered although it is said that his spouse as well as his brother-in-law were negatively affected by the spy drama during the bitter liberation struggle.Those of us who fought from within do not know the inside story of the spy drama, but we want those who were detained by Swapo on allegations of being spies to know that the struggle was tough even for us.The Swapo Party has even taken on board some former colonisers, apartheid beneficiaries and people whom we thought we could never sit together with after Independence, under the policy of reconciliation.Still, when our leadership returned from exile and united with the internal wing of Swapo, they called upon us to forgive and let go of the past, hoping that all sides will forgive each other and move forward in building this nation.This policy does not ask from us to forget, but to close that chapter without any witch-hunting of who did what wrong and right during the liberation struggle.Yes, it is true that two wrongs don’t make a right! That submission by the NSHR is nothing less, nothing more, than a personal vendetta of Phil ya Nangoloh against Sam Nujoma.It was seen coming by many people a long time ago, when he started the “exposé” articles in the Windhoek Observer and believe me, it is only the Board of Directors who can call their Executive Director to order.Where Ya Nangoloh’s freedom ends, the next citizen’s freedom starts and he must bear this in mind when he deals with national issues.He does not have any right to play with the future of the country like that.In conclusion, the Founding Father of the Namibian Nation has the overwhelming support of the Namibian people even if he chooses to retire from the Swapo presidency and we have the right to protect him to enjoy a peace and restful retirement.That way, future Namibian presidents should not worry when their day of retirement comes, because the people will protect their legacy.But, and this is a big but, if the NSHR insists and persists with its submission to the ICC, let it be clear to friend and foe that this country can be in turmoil.The moment the ICC decides to prosecute the Founding Father, the white people can start running, former policemen and women and intelligence workers can start running, former soldiers in SWATF can start running, and the list can go on and on.This ICC submission stands to turn all hell loose in this country, because independent Namibia has also created new factions in both the ruling party and opposition parties.Quo Vadis Namibia? Hannes Karools KeetmanshoopThe latter has stood firm where others wavered although it is said that his spouse as well as his brother-in-law were negatively affected by the spy drama during the bitter liberation struggle.Those of us who fought from within do not know the inside story of the spy drama, but we want those who were detained by Swapo on allegations of being spies to know that the struggle was tough even for us.The Swapo Party has even taken on board some former colonisers, apartheid beneficiaries and people whom we thought we could never sit together with after Independence, under the policy of reconciliation.Still, when our leadership returned from exile and united with the internal wing of Swapo, they called upon us to forgive and let go of the past, hoping that all sides will forgive each other and move forward in building this nation.This policy does not ask from us to forget, but to close that chapter without any witch-hunting of who did what wrong and right during the liberation struggle.Yes, it is true that two wrongs don’t make a right! That submission by the NSHR is nothing less, nothing more, than a personal vendetta of Phil ya Nangoloh against Sam Nujoma.It was seen coming by many people a long time ago, when he started the “exposé” articles in the Windhoek Observer and believe me, it is only the Board of Directors who can call their Executive Director to order.Where Ya Nangoloh’s freedom ends, the next citizen’s freedom starts and he must bear this in mind when he deals with national issues.He does not have any right to play with the future of the country like that.In conclusion, the Founding Father of the Namibian Nation has the overwhelming support of the Namibian people even if he chooses to retire from the Swapo presidency and we have the right to protect him to enjoy a peace and restful retirement.That way, future Namibian presidents should not worry when their day of retirement comes, because the people will protect their legacy.But, and this is a big but, if the NSHR insists and persists with its submission to the ICC, let it be clear to friend and foe that this country can be in turmoil.The moment the ICC decides to prosecute the Founding Father, the white people can start running, former policemen and women and intelligence workers can start running, former soldiers in SWATF can start running, and the list can go on and on.This ICC submission stands to turn all hell loose in this country, because independent Namibia has also created new factions in both the ruling party and opposition parties.Quo Vadis Namibia? Hannes Karools Keetmanshoop