ON January 6, 2011, Mr Dudley Viall produced a crude cartoon of President Hifikepunye Pohamba in The Namibian newspaper.
The cartoon depicts President Pohamba as a cold, uncaring and insensitive person. The President is portrayed as a person whose mind is in chains: closed, unthinking and visionless!Mr Viall based his cartoon on issues such as the marathon treason trial of alleged Caprivi secessionists, the ban on government advertising in The Namibian newspaper and NBC open-line programmes. Let us debunk these claims.Treason TrialistsThe marathon trial of the alleged secessionists is a blot on Namibia’s good reputation. All well meaning citizens would like to see an end to this saga. Could President Pohamba stop it? The answer is a deafening NO!This matter is in the capable hands of the Judiciary. Article 78 (2) of the Namibian Constitution states: ‘ The Courts shall be independent and subject only to this Constitution and the law.’ Article 32 (1) of the Constitution reads in part: ‘As the Head of State, the President shall uphold, protect and defend the Constitution as the Supreme Law.’ Furthermore, Article 32 (d) states that the President shall have the power to ‘pardon or reprieve offenders, either unconditionally or subject to such conditions as the President may deem fit.’ Whereas we all agree that justice delayed is justice denied, the due process of law must take its course. If the trialists are found guilty it is up then to the President to decide whether to pardon or reprieve them. Up to this point they are not yet offenders. Why Mr Viall thinks differently is beyond anyone’s imagination!Advertising in The NamibianTo the best of my knowledge President Pohamba is a fervent reader of The Namibian. I believe every morning he buys a copy of The Namibian. For some time now Government Offices, Agencies, Ministries and State Owned Enterprises have been advertising in The Namibian. Right now I am looking at The Namibian of January 10, 2011, pages 16 and 17. The two pages are occupied by an advertisement from the Namibian Training Authority. Many of the Government instances have been doing the same. I never heard of anyone who has been reprimanded or punished because that person placed an advertisement in The Namibian on behalf of Government. I am quite sure the President must have seen such advertisements. If there has not been a flood of Government advertisements in The Namibian that must have been a case of preferences on the part of those who place Government advertisements in the media!The question to Mr Viall is: Have you ever heard President Pohamba rebuking or reprimanding someone who advertised in The Namibian? The reason why Government agencies are shunning to advertise in The Namibian might be the disrespect the newspaper displays against their elected leaders. To depict President Pohamba as being dumb, cold and uncaring is distasteful and disrespectful. Those who elected him have a right to feel offended!NBC Talk ShowsThe Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC)’s mission is to educate and entertain. Talk Shows should abide by this mission statement. Insults and inflammatory statements over the air area violation of the freedom of speech and expression. Such statements have a potential of disturbing the peace of our nation. NBC as a responsible organization should at all times promote peace and harmony in the nation. I believe Mr Viall is equally committed to responsible freedom of speech and expression. If so, why does Mr Viall want the administration of President Pohamba to allow the State Media to be used by some citizens to provoke other citizens?Namibian is making progressThe East African Magazine has recognized the leadership qualities of President Pohamba. His placing in the fifth spot should be a cause of celebration by all well meaning citizens. To ridicule such an achievement, like Mr Viall has attempted to do is the highest form of insanity.The Irish magazine, International Living, in its Quality of Life Index has classified Namibia as number two in Africa and number 69 out of 192 countries as the most sought after place in Africa and in the world. Looking at the relative freedom and safety, the cost of living, leisure and culture, the International Living magazine scored Namibia 60 points out possible 100 points.Such a rating shall encourage tourists and investors to choose Namibia as a destination. This shall further increase our welfare and quality of living. It is important for us to build on these foundations rather than promote cynicism among our people. We must feel proud, confident and mature. We are all responsible for building this nation. God helps those who help themselves! We must hold each other’s hands and move on!Congratulations President Pohamba! We must all congratulate President Pohamba for a well deserved recognition. He makes Namibia proud!Nahas AngulaPrime MinisterNOTE: Please see editorial on page 9 for for response to PM Angula’s comments on the Government ban on advertising in The Namibian – Ed
