Dear Editor
I refer to the Minister of Youth, National Service, Sport and Culture, John Mutorwa’s letter or press statement in connection with my column, “Parliamentary Potholes” in the Windhoek Observer, 31 March 2007.
To me, this is a positive development. For the first time in five years, somebody reacts to my column and opens the opportunity for mutual debate in national interest.
But he reacted only to that part of my article about my expectations in connection with the National Youth Service, during the time that he and his deputy (under delegated powers) will be in charge.
I am still trying hard, against the background of my 47 years of full-time experience in politics, not to doubt the good intentions of any opponent.
I cannot see in his heart and in any case I acknowledge his right on an own viewpoint. It will nevertheless not be honest to keep quiet about any objections when I believe the facts and conclusion are wrong.
I am thankful that that was also the approach of the honourable Minister by putting question marks only behind my conclusions and not my integrity.
Furthermore, I do not believe that any person, including myself, can be absolutely objective and neutral.
Your specific background and knowledge will always colour the picture. One can only try to be fair in your judgment. But then it is also good if everyone gets the opportunity to listen to different viewpoints.
Remember how the poet put it in Proverbs 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, so man sharpens the countenance of his friend.”
The Honourable Minister also refers to the promise in my article by saying: “Hopefully, he will factually clarify his allegations, regarding the NYS, sometime, in the future, as he promised.”
I am yearning to do it, but there is one important stumbling block – certain documentary evidence is missing!
The Hansards, the minutes of the National Assembly, including the verbatim reports of the debates in connection with the “National Youth Service Act, 2005” (Act 6 of 2005) are not available. This after two years have lapsed!
My friendly request to the Honourable Minister is therefore to help me to get the minutes of the National Assembly for the period from July 2004 to September 2005.
I want to refresh my memory and to quote documentary proof in connection with my conclusions about the future of the National Youth Service.
I am looking forward to the help of the Minister or anybody else in this connection.
I am also looking forward to the day when I would be in a position to encourage my “constituency” (whoever they may be – including those from the North) to feel free to take part in all activities of the state because there will be no more racial discrimination in Namibia. Also not disguised discrimination as a result of the wrong implementation of affirmative action.
J.W.F. Pretorius, Chairman of Monitor Action Group