The ex-Plan fighters in their own words

While the names Alex Kamwi and Ruusa Malulu often dominate talks surrounding the group of former Plan combatants pressing Government for money they say was promised to them at Independence, these two organisers are not the sum total of the demonstration.

The Namibian on Tuesday spoke to some of the approximately 200 demonstrators who braved icy weather and Police pepper spray on Monday night in an effort to remain true to their promise – that they would not leave the Veterans’ Affairs Ministry until their demands are met. Here is what some of them had to say about their reasons for being there: Victor Nicanor Mandume Mandume says he was 14 years old when he went to Zambia via Angola, and returned to Namibia in 1989.”The United Nations (UN) gave money, but that money was not meant for Government.It was meant for us.Up to now, I’ve received nothing more than N$10, which was given to me upon my return to the country at the camp Doebra,” he says.”I don’t even have a house.I live in (the informal settlement of) Greenwell Matongo.”Monica Gideon (27) “I was sent into exile in 1984 and came back in 1992 only, as I was studying abroad.What I’m looking for is the money from the UN.We never received anything, only ten dollars then.I need that money to settle down.I am responsible for taking care of my mother.I’m a Chief Systems Administrator, but that doesn’t solve all my problems.”Dawid Kaalushu “I was born in Kwanza Sul [Angola].My father died in the struggle and until this day I don’t know where he was buried.I came back here with my mother, my brothers and my sisters.When I came here I went to school until I failed grade 10.Now I try to do a little painting, I work for some construction companies, but that is not enough.”As the eldest child, he says his income feeds not only his mother, brothers and sisters, but also four of his own children.Selma Thomas (42) A Namibian Police officer who applied for leave to take part in the demonstration.”My reason is I want compensation for all the years spent in exile.I left in 1980 and came back in 1989,” she said.Eunice Shalumba (36) Shalumba claims to have been one of the people who made returning exiles fill in forms in which they were promised compensation by the UN.”It (the forms) even made you fill in the names of your family to whom this money should go in case you pass away,” she said.Saima Mathew (26) Mathew describes herself as a war orphan, having lost both her parents during the struggle.”I was born in 1980, although I’m not exactly sure where.My parents are not here to tell me.I’m here because I feel it’s not right.Before they told us that orphans didn’t qualify for reparations.But then what about my parents’ sacrifices? They lost their lives there.”Moses Paulus Kaivanga (60) Kaivanga says he went into exile in 1976 and returned to Namibia in 1989.He would like Government to grant them the money they’re demanding so that he can have more to survive on than his monthly N$500 pension.”I have seven children.None of them work.The bread I eat comes from the N$500 they give me.I think it’s my pension.”Martin Mukele (67) Mukele says he lost his left leg during the struggle, when he apparently stepped on a mine.He said he led a group of ex-combatants who in the late 1990s came from the North to demonstrate at the Windhoek Showgrounds.He was also present at Independence, he said, when a promise was allegedly made verbally by UN representatives that the fighters would be compensated for their sacrifices.Lucy Paulus (42) This Ministry of Finance employee says she was on the front line during the liberation struggle, a duty she assumed between the years 1979 and 1989.”I’m here because I want compensation so I can reach my basic needs.I can’t afford proper accommodation and I’m living with my five children.We live with friends,” she said.Here is what some of them had to say about their reasons for being there: Victor Nicanor Mandume Mandume says he was 14 years old when he went to Zambia via Angola, and returned to Namibia in 1989.”The United Nations (UN) gave money, but that money was not meant for Government.It was meant for us.Up to now, I’ve received nothing more than N$10, which was given to me upon my return to the country at the camp Doebra,” he says.”I don’t even have a house.I live in (the informal settlement of) Greenwell Matongo.”Monica Gideon (27) “I was sent into exile in 1984 and came back in 1992 only, as I was studying abroad.What I’m looking for is the money from the UN.We never received anything, only ten dollars then.I need that money to settle down.I am responsible for taking care of my mother.I’m a Chief Systems Administrator, but that doesn’t solve all my problems.” Dawid Kaalushu “I was born in Kwanza Sul [Angola].My father died in the struggle and until this day I don’t know where he was buried.I came back here with my mother, my brothers and my sisters.When I came here I went to school until I failed grade 10.Now I try to do a little painting, I work for some construction companies, but that is not enough.”As the eldest child, he says his income feeds not only his mother, brothers and sisters, but also four of his own children. Selma Thomas (42) A Namibian Police officer who applied for leave to take part in the demonstration.”My reason is I want compensation for all the years spent in exile.I left in 1980 and came back in 1989,” she said. Eunice Shalumba (36) Shalumba claims to have been one of the people who made returning exiles fill in forms in which they were promised compensation by the UN.”It (the forms) even made you fill in the names of your family to whom this money should go in case you pass away,” she said. Saima Mathew (26) Mathew describes herself as a war orphan, having lost both her parents during the struggle.”I was born in 1980, although I’m not exactly sure where.My parents are not here to tell me.I’m here because I feel it’s not right.Before they told us that orphans didn’t qualify for reparations.But then what about my parents’ sacrifices? They lost their lives there.”Moses Paulus Kaivanga (60) Kaivanga says he went into exile in 1976 and returned to Namibia in 1989.He would like Government to grant them the money they’re demanding so that he can have more to survive on than his monthly N$500 pension.”I have seven children.None of them work.The bread I eat comes from the N$500 they give me.I think it’s my pension.”Martin Mukele (67) Mukele says he lost his left leg during the struggle, when he apparently stepped on a mine.He said he led a group of ex-combatants who in the late 1990s came from the North to demonstrate at the Windhoek Showgrounds.He was also present at Independence, he said, when a promise was allegedly made verbally by UN representatives that the fighters would be compensated for their sacrifices.Lucy Paulus (42) This Ministry of Finance employee says she was on the front line during the liberation struggle, a duty she assumed between the years 1979 and 1989.”I’m here because I want compensation so I can reach my basic needs.I can’t afford proper accommodation and I’m living with my five children.We live with friends,” she said.