What Is Wrong With Namibians? An open letter to President Pohamba

AS a Namibian living in the Diaspora, I have to register my utmost disgust and disappointment at recent remarks made both by you and some so-called diehard Swapo supporters about the NSHR/ ICC submission.

Mr President, I believe the above-mentioned issue that has become a top agenda issue for Namibia now. Given the magnitude, can you, Mr President, imagine the uncertainty and effect this issue is causing to Namibia and most importantly the donors (our breadwinners)? At the moment, I believe the issue has got nothing to do with us – please leave it for the ICC to sort out.I still remember your speech in London to fellow Namibians – you urged us to study hard and return to Namibia in order to contribute to the development of our country.I doubt if there are many Namibians who live abroad and wish to return to Namibia at the moment.Who on earth wants to return to a country where democracy is totally under threat? Yes, I said under threat.Your Swapo Youth League was threatening us with war a few weeks ago; Jhonny Hakaye is threatening to table some sick motion in order to regulate some independent media who are accused of insulting the Government etc.Can you please remind Hakaye that his planned motions are contrary to Article 21 of the Namibian Constitution? Doesn’t it bother you at times why so many young and old Namibians are going abroad in hundreds? I won’t be surprised if Namibia ends up on the same path as Poland.Mr President, in London, you asked us to promote and represent Namibia whilst here.I suppose this is a very simple task and it’s definitely not rocket science at all, but how can we carry out this simple task when we have some Namibians at home (the likes of Hon Hakaye and others) doing the very opposite.I urge you, Mr President, to please articulate and turn your administration’s attention to other important issues.We need scholarships, people at home depend on our very meagre (pounds) we send home, there are no jobs, crime is high, corruption is a well-known practice, people die on a weekly basis as a result of poor road infrastructure etc.I am sure these are all eminent issues of national importance and no one in Namibia needs to be reminded about them.The NSHR and their ICC story has got nothing to do with you or the Government so please don’t try and make this a national issue.I am not sure how many Namibians really want to return home, in the meantime, I shall wish you the best of luck Mr President.J. Tjiueza London, UKGiven the magnitude, can you, Mr President, imagine the uncertainty and effect this issue is causing to Namibia and most importantly the donors (our breadwinners)? At the moment, I believe the issue has got nothing to do with us – please leave it for the ICC to sort out.I still remember your speech in London to fellow Namibians – you urged us to study hard and return to Namibia in order to contribute to the development of our country.I doubt if there are many Namibians who live abroad and wish to return to Namibia at the moment.Who on earth wants to return to a country where democracy is totally under threat? Yes, I said under threat.Your Swapo Youth League was threatening us with war a few weeks ago; Jhonny Hakaye is threatening to table some sick motion in order to regulate some independent media who are accused of insulting the Government etc.Can you please remind Hakaye that his planned motions are contrary to Article 21 of the Namibian Constitution? Doesn’t it bother you at times why so many young and old Namibians are going abroad in hundreds? I won’t be surprised if Namibia ends up on the same path as Poland.Mr President, in London, you asked us to promote and represent Namibia whilst here.I suppose this is a very simple task and it’s definitely not rocket science at all, but how can we carry out this simple task when we have some Namibians at home (the likes of Hon Hakaye and others) doing the very opposite.I urge you, Mr President, to please articulate and turn your administration’s attention to other important issues.We need scholarships, people at home depend on our very meagre (pounds) we send home, there are no jobs, crime is high, corruption is a well-known practice, people die on a weekly basis as a result of poor road infrastructure etc.I am sure these are all eminent issues of national importance and no one in Namibia needs to be reminded about them.The NSHR and their ICC story has got nothing to do with you or the Government so please don’t try and make this a national issue.I am not sure how many Namibians really want to return home, in the meantime, I shall wish you the best of luck Mr President.J. Tjiueza London, UK