Dear Adv. Mbako, New Era and journalist Petronella Sibeene In response to the article titled ‘Namibia: Govt Pans Seal Rights Body’, I would hereby like to point out the following very important facts to you to set the record straight. I quote: “Mbako said that in 1995, the ministry invited any entity that would provide any alternative approach for harvesting seals, but to no avail.” Adv. Mbako, 1995 was 12 years ago. Have you extended the same invitation since then, or even recently? I would have thought that if you were serious about the issue (and in light of all the controversy), you would have at least by now re-extended that invitation. But you have not. Instead, we have made contact with you to invite you to a sit-down in order for all parties concerned to discuss the matter peacefully. You have ignored this invitation and this request. We have demonstrated from our part that we would like to find a resolution to the situation. So I implore you to not openly flaunt your hypocrisy by saying that twelve years ago you were willing to discuss alternatives to culling and no one has come to the table. Twelve years ago, this so-called seal rights body you refer to (Seal Alert SA) did not EXIST, and we HAVE come to the table, Advocate Mbako. YOU were the ones who dismissed any opportunity for a resolution. Petronella, perhaps New Era can publicly inform the Namibian people of the truth, and you could perhaps also inform them that international boycott action against Namibian tourism, industry and business is in the process of being launched simply because the likes of Advocate Mbako are not willing to be reasonable. Kind Regards, (Ms) Nikki Botha Seal Alert South Africa – Spokesperson OH and PS: I just read in New Era that a donkey butchery has shut down … Won’t that constitute a loss of jobs? You are so terribly worried about taking away sealing because people would be jobless?…..!