Voetsek is a Case for Intellectual Reasoning

• BENEDICT LOUWI HAVE been following posts and comments after this pic went viral (for all its misconceptions), and it saddens me to notice how people have been lulled into a deep sleep of pacifism, gullibility with no brakes, and what Andre du Pisani recently referred to as Namibia, the “undemanding society”.

Let’;s break down the meaning of the word “voetsek”, a word which according to many self-proclaimed intellectuals is disrespectful, and so distasteful a word to be uttered to someone, least when that someone being insulted is the president of the Republic of Namibia, namely Hage Geingob. It’;s important to debunk such false consciousness before it finds roots.

Voetsek, an Afrikaans term with similar alternative forms such as voetsak, voertsek, voertsak, footsack, tsak. Its etymology stems from the Afrikaans language, and relates to voertsek, voortsek, short form (s) of voort sê ek (“go on I say”). (Wiki)

Urban Dictionary defines “voetsek” as ‘;get lost’; or ‘;bog off’;, used by Anglo Africans.

Examples of use include: “get lost! go away!” – an exclamation of dismissal or rejection.

What Henny H Seibeb uttered in the philosophical context of the word “Voetsek Hage Voetsek” accordingly means “Go away Hage, go away!” It does not in any way constitute being disrespectful or ill-disciplined, contrary to what self-proclaimed intellectuals claim.

No credible court would be able to successfully prosecute anyone for uttering the word “voetsek” as an insult or form of crimen injuria. To ask Geingob to “go away” is normal in political contestations.

After all, Henny Seibeb is representing a formation which recently sought registration as a political party, and is more than warranted to utter such words, and not lazy people who are only good as social media revolutionaries, but nowhere to be seen on the front of picket lines when push comes to shove.

Also, moral justifications spewed here by lazy ‘;church people’; are not conclusive, and should be treated with caution because what might be morally justified for one is not necessarily universally applicable. I’;m yet to be proven that there is a new meaning for the word “”. Until such time, we should remind ourselves never to be blinded by loyalty to such an extent that we are rendered completely incapable of intellectual reasoning.

Respect for elders: The idea of respect for ‘;elders’; are symptomatic of ageists (stereotyping of and discrimination against individuals or groups on the basis of their age. This may be casual or systematic).

The phenomenon to respect people older than yourself, despite all the reasons in the world to the contrary (not to respect such a person), is an institutionalised phenomenon which is problematically rooted in the African patriarchal family culture.

“Whatever elders say is right. Elders can’;t be wrong. They are more experienced.” This alpha and omega perception of older people and correctness inhibits many people’;s fundamental freedoms, such as freedom of thought and freedom of speech.

Many unenlightened youth and women are psychologically tormented by the thought of indifference with “elders” out of fear of a social norm meant to suppress dissent, that is the fear of being categorised as a “naughty child”.

This mentality is wrong on so many levels because it instils an inferior complex in an individual based on age differences from a young age, despite the fact that each individual is born with agency (the capacity of individuals to act independently and to make their own free choices). Respect is earned. Respect is mutual.

“To suppress free speech is a double wrong. It violates the rights of the hearer as well as those of the speaker.” – Frederick Douglass

This is my two cents. If you have yours, let’;s debate intellectually, if not, VOETSEK!

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