The Namibian newspaper team, you deserve more

I must accept I have been wrong for too long about The Namibian newspaper regarding its current standing and history thereof.

Until recently, I did not know about this paper’s patriotism rich history of accurately informing this nations and defending the right of all Namibians especially during those past tough times, war and apartheid times. Wrongly, I was made to understand and perceived The Namibian newspaper as follows: the agent of imperialist, prophet of doom, anti-government, unpatriotic and reactionary Newspaper etcThese have been my perceptions about The Namibia newspaper until recently when I read the magazine marking its 25th anniversary since its launch. I was very impressed while at the same time felt guilty for having been wrong for too long. I could not believe what I was reading. The combinations of the risks taken during those tough times and sacrifices made by The Namibian founding team left me baffled. That was noble, heroic and patriotism at its best! None can take the risks taken and make the sacrifices made, by The Namibian newspaper, without the genuine love for the Namibian nation. In my view, The Namibian newspaper founding team deserves to have its rightful place in the list of Namibian heroes, who made a significant contribution in the process of liberating this country from apartheid, who are being cerebrated today. Unfortunately I never heard of The Namibian being mentioned or linked to any heroic deeds in line with our country’s liberation effort. Shame on us! This paper did more than some of the today’s self-proclaimed liberation heroes, some of whom never heard a war gunshot or smell a bullet powder. In that same 25th anniversary magazine I came to learn of heroic deeds by my own cousin, Nico Kaiyamo, when he had to do the unthinkable, taking the picture of an armoured vehicles (Casspirs) with the bodies of dead Swapo insurgents strapped to the sides and sent them to The Namibian for publications. When I called him, Nico, for explanation he just laughed as I tried to emphasise how heroic what he did was. You had to be very brave to take that picture let alone to publish it in the 80s.In trying to understand the unlikely brave and rich history of this paper, I spoke to my uncle, who is a retired bishop now and knew better, who was with me about the history of this paper and he was quick to say ‘Tala, kakadona oo Gwen Lister okwa hepekelwa oshilongo eshi omolwoshifo shaye osho, ashike omukainhu oo omupenda’, translated in English means ‘listen, that lady Gwen Lister suffered for this country because of her paper, but she has been very brave woman’. I am very proud of this paper, now more than ever. This is a very authentic, patriotic newspaper and really telling it like it is without fear or favor. I wish you continue with this bravery and patriotic spirit. Regardless of what others, who probably to a certain extent misled me, are saying you are a blessing to this country. You are an essential newspaper. My appeal to you, the current The Namibian team is, please keep telling it like it is, keep the paper as authentic as it is/has been, you have a proud history.May God bless you Gwen Lister and your team as you continue to accurately inform the nation. Shikongeni Noah, a teacher by professionvia e-mail- Heartfelt thanks for your words of encouragement. They are greatly appreciated. – The Namibian team

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