War Veterans Who played a pivotal role in Namibia’s liberation struggle are departing this earth one by one.
However, it is with profound dismay and deep sorrow that I observe what I see as disrespect towards some of Namibia’s war veterans, whose sacrifices secured the very freedom we enjoy today.
The recent death of one of the founding members of Swapo, freedom fighter Kanana Hishoono – who tirelessly fought for Namibia’s independence – has again exposed a painful situation: the conferral of ‘low burial status’ on an esteemed fighter.
Hishoono is to be buried at the Eenhana shrine.
This not only diminishes the legacy of a fallen hero but symbolises a troubling erosion of respect for those who endured the burden of the liberation struggle.
Such treatment raises serious questions about how the nation honours its history and those who made independence possible.
WHO DECIDES?
I am worried about how our veterans are treated when they die.
It seems the committee, which spearheads and is responsible for ensuring that war veterans’ contributions to Namibia’s liberation struggle are recognised, is either being ignored or, in some cases, veterans are accorded an unfit burial.
Hishoono, who issued and signed the memberships of former president Hage Geingob, and Nahas Angula, is going to be buried at the Eenhana shrine rather than Heroes Acre.
The government, under the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs, has dismally failed to take care of its people while they are alive or even after they are no longer with us on this earth.
What is the war veterans association doing about the conferment of burial status on war veterans in the first place?
Who is the adviser to the president and who makes the final decision on the burial of war veterans?
Hishoono was not just a war veteran; he was a national hero.
His contributions to the independence of Namibia are known to many across the length and breadth of our land. He needs to be buried with honour.
- Matheus Hangula is a Young African Leaders Initiative alumni. The opinions expressed in this article are entirely his own and do not necessarily represent those of any organisation with which he is associated.
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