What Happened To The ‘Jewel In The Crown’

IT was a thrill to arrive in the new Independent Namibia in 1992 when the UN had described its transition as the “Jewel in its Crown”.

We spent two months learning all we could about its rehabilitation and reconstruction, meeting so many people and groups motivated to build a good country. The debates in parliament inspired us by their conciliatory attitudes and determination to meet the problems a developing nation faced.In the schools the children were so eager to learn and workshops throughout the community were the order of the day.We returned to the UK saying “keep your eye on Namibia, it will be an example for Africa.”Four trips and thirteen years later, what do we find? Certainly some good developments such as excellent environmental and tourism policies, fishing stocks recovering due to wise policy, Equal Opportunities Commission, new buildings and businesses in Windhoek, many developments in Katutura, and the Minister of Health announcing a strategic plan to meet the TB epidemic in Namibia.But very soon disappointment to discover that many areas in the north still have no electricity or water supply.Then dismay set in – ‘where are the income generating projects and training facilities for the young people? Why are they begging at the petrol stations and on the streets? Why do energetic lads stand in large numbers tryiing to sell papers and young girls wait by the roads to earn money in the sex industry? So much waste of young lives.You will remember the promises made by your Founding Father.And what reality has been brought to his people’s lives? It is now recognised that Namibia is one of the most unequal societies in the world.The high incomes of the few hide the desperate poverty of the many.The life-style of your founding father, an immensely rich man, is hardly a role model for any country.Sadly the magnanimity of the South African founding father has left no mark on yours.Changing the constitution so he could have a third term sent warning messages to the international community.A hero for Independence maybe, but hidden horrors about torture in prisons were kept secret for far too long.Meanwhile UNICEF reports a ‘complex crisis is emerging, consisting of worsening of HIV/AIDS, deepening food insecurity and weakening capacities at national, community and household levels.’ Another NGO reports that the scale of domestic violence is an overwhelming problem; stating that in 2003 ‘a third of women have suffered physical or sexual abuse at the hands of an intimate partner’.This NGO has succeeded in bringing in crucial legislation to help combat this but the need to educate women about their rights is paramount.New laws will be needed to protect children.However the underlying problem remains – poverty, and this is closely related to rising crime, alcoholism and abuse.The urgent need for infrastructure that will provide employment has not been a priority for your Founding President and his Government.Is it not time for Namibians to examine Swapo’s achievements objectively and to press its leaders to pursue policies that will bring a reasonable quality of life to all its people? There are leaders and voices coming from Civil Society and unless they are heeded by your citizens the rest of the world will forget Namibia was ever a ‘jewel’.Dr & Mrs B R Halson UKThe debates in parliament inspired us by their conciliatory attitudes and determination to meet the problems a developing nation faced.In the schools the children were so eager to learn and workshops throughout the community were the order of the day.We returned to the UK saying “keep your eye on Namibia, it will be an example for Africa.”Four trips and thirteen years later, what do we find? Certainly some good developments such as excellent environmental and tourism policies, fishing stocks recovering due to wise policy, Equal Opportunities Commission, new buildings and businesses in Windhoek, many developments in Katutura, and the Minister of Health announcing a strategic plan to meet the TB epidemic in Namibia.But very soon disappointment to discover that many areas in the north still have no electricity or water supply.Then dismay set in – ‘where are the income generating projects and training facilities for the young people? Why are they begging at the petrol stations and on the streets? Why do energetic lads stand in large numbers tryiing to sell papers and young girls wait by the roads to earn money in the sex industry? So much waste of young lives.You will remember the promises made by your Founding Father.And what reality has been brought to his people’s lives? It is now recognised that Namibia is one of the most unequal societies in the world.The high incomes of the few hide the desperate poverty of the many.The life-style of your founding father, an immensely rich man, is hardly a role model for any country.Sadly the magnanimity of the South African founding father has left no mark on yours.Changing the constitution so he could have a third term sent warning messages to the international community.A hero for Independence maybe, but hidden horrors about torture in prisons were kept secret for far too long.Meanwhile UNICEF reports a ‘complex crisis is emerging, consisting of worsening of HIV/AIDS, deepening food insecurity and weakening capacities at national, community and household levels.’ Another NGO reports that the scale of domestic violence is an overwhelming problem; stating that in 2003 ‘a third of women have suffered physical or sexual abuse at the hands of an intimate partner’.This NGO has succeeded in bringing in crucial legislation to help combat this but the need to educate women about their rights is paramount.New laws will be needed to protect children.However the underlying problem remains – poverty, and this is closely related to rising crime, alcoholism and abuse.The urgent need for infrastructure that will provide employment has not been a priority for your Founding President and his Government.Is it not time for Namibians to examine Swapo’s achievements objectively and to press its leaders to pursue policies that will bring a reasonable quality of life to all its people? There are leaders and voices coming from Civil Society and unless they are heeded by your citizens the rest of the world will forget Namibia was ever a ‘jewel’. Dr & Mrs B R Halson UK