Responsibility And Racism

TO the point is the reaction to an advertisement in The Namibian, which asked for ‘whites only’ to apply for the rent of a flat.

I can understand your reaction that it was a mistake and will not happen again, but I do not think that this is justice to all. Many advertisements were already published by your newspaper which indicated that those who are interested in a certain job must keep in mind that the institution which is advertising is affirmative action friendly. That means that preference would be given to persons who are members of a ‘designated group’. That again means that the skin colour of the applicant must be black or brown. According to the law, if black, brown or white persons would apply and everything is equal according to merit, then the black or brown person must get preference. If the white person is a stronger applicant on merit, nothing can prevent one from appointing him. That, however is not what is happening in practice, especially not as far as the state is concerned. Normally the white applicant is ignored and that, in my opinion, it is not constitutional and not in line with intention of the lawmaker.If your newspaper is therefore, prepared to publish an advertisement which in effect is implicating that only black and brown need apply, what is wrong, in principle, to advertise that ‘whites only’ may apply? The solution for the advertiser is therefore not to say ‘whites only’ may apply, but to put it clearly that his wish, according to his freedom of association, is that only ‘ former advantaged’ persons may apply for the rent of his flat. What is important here is the legal implication of free association. Nowhere is there any provision or definition that there are certain conditions for individual choice in your private preferences or choice.If for example ex-president Sam Nujoma would say that he likes the Chinese more than Europeans and that the Europeans must stay where they are because they are not welcome in his ‘African flat’, nobody would try to corner him. At the end of the day it is about attitude and sensitivity. That is the responsibility of every one of us. That is why since 1989 I am campaigning that we must also include the concept of responsibility in the Constitution of Namibia.J W F PretoriusWindhoekNote: You are absolutely correct that there is a lack of consistency over the concept of ‘racism’ in Namibia, and this does argue for a wider public debate. However, we do try to be sensitive in our own context in this regard, and the example of the ‘flat to rent to whites only’ is something we would prefer to avoid. The owner of the flat in question has the choice as to who to rent to without having to bring race into the equation. Interestingly though, we had a similar example earlier this year from a person who wanted to buy a bakkie, from a ‘white owner’. There was likewise public reaction to this oversight in our classifieds, and when we investigated, it emerged that a Herero-speaking man had placed the advert because he wanted to ensure the vehicle he purchased had been well looked after! Likewise however, this is unacceptable to us, even though it is arguable whether it is still racist seen in this context. Affirmative action is of course, susceptible to the same accusations, although it must be pointed out (the last I heard) that included in the ‘affirmative’ category are white women and of course, the handicapped, so it is not exclusively race-based affirmative action. All of which indicates that the sooner we regard ourselves as Namibians, without the colour qualification, the better for all and a more level playing field. Politicians of course, are also responsible for keeping racism alive, as some of them continue to pinpoint colour and clearly, in their eyes, ‘white’ remains a negative! So there are double standards in abundance. – Ed