In his book ‘The Accusing Finger’, Nyambe Wina (1992), a Zambian novelist, narrates an incident in which an officially engaged lady points an accusing finger at her fiancé for having put her in a woman way, despite his denial.
The truth is revealed when the lady gives birth to a child of colour. Similarly, it is believed that when one finger points at a person in accusation, the other three are pointing at the accuser.
So, goes on the Biblical incidence of a woman caught in adultery whom the scribes and Pharisees failed to stone to death because of their own sins. Or trying to remove a small particle in one’s eye, leaving a beam in your eye. Whereas it is proper to critique the repressive regime for its crimes against humanity in Namibia, it is just to look at the roles of all stakeholders in the liberation struggle retrospectively.
Surprisingly, since the dawn of nationhood, some debates in the august house even today still hinge on the role of alleged spies during the war. In extreme instances, some honourable members would stoop low by humiliating other distinguished colleagues. Yes, it is politics, but the discussions and debates should address the poverty and racial gaps and heal the hatred scars.
As the proverb goes that two hoes will always touch each other when used in the field. It is understandable that the political leaders will regularly differ in that house, but the arguments should be constructive. It was immoral and illegal for the South African racist regime to occupy Namibia.
It was crueller for the same authority to commit heinous crimes and atrocities in the country. In a similar vein, it was unjust for the liberating forces to apply the same South African
tactics against their comrades. If
Ndeikwila (2014), in ‘The Agony of Truth’ and Oiva Angula (2021) in ‘SWAPO
Captive: A Comrade’s Experience of Betrayal and Torture’, are any books to go by, then some high profiled politicians and senior officials should stop pointing accusing fingers at others for partaking in the torturing and killing of Namibians. Some of these high ranking members of parliaments and ministers, including some governors actually presided over the maiming, imprisoning and killing of some innocent Namibians in exile.
It is understandable it was war and in any war situation, there ought to be casualties. Indeed, there were many casualties, but unfortunately, innocent Namibians were caught in the struggle dragnet.
It is equally true the Koevoet and SWATF agents committed heinous crimes during the liberation struggle, and their activities cannot be condoned in any way.
But after more than 32 years of independence, there are still heated debates in the august house to undermine other groups of people in some sections of society. People on both sides of the war fence suffered, but Namibians came out with Article 10(2) which clearly states that: No person should be discriminated against on the grounds of sex, race, colour, ethnic origin, religion, creed or social or economic status. Maybe the constitution should be revisited and better clauses be inserted to cater for other groups, who seem to be more Namibian than others. It seems the undocumented policy of national reconciliation, which was supposed to feature in the parliament has become extinct.
Honestly speaking, it is provocative indeed for any minister or high-ranking officer who presided over Lubango dungeons to start pointing accusing fingers at others when his hands are still dripping with the blood of innocent Namibians.
Equally, the mentality that it was only people in exile who contributed to the liberation struggle of the country should be downplayed. Take a scenario case in the north where a PLAN combatant is being pursued by the South African forces and by luck, the pursued is concealed by the villagers. Shortly thereafter, the pursuers descend on the village and start beating and torturing everybody in sight, including the children and livestock.
From there, the cassipirs razor down the field and the homestead, and then leave the village with the helpless wounded and terrified people. Then there are cases of Induna Masida and others who were roasted over a burning fire. Add the liberation struggle icons like Simbwaye, Lyabboloma and others who remain missing since they were captured by the South African forces for supporting the PLAN combatants.
There were also students and teachers who sacrificed their lives inside the country but who have been forgotten. How can one forget professor Joseph Diescho’s contribution towards the formation of Nanso?
What about Charles Tubalike and other students from the Academy for Tertiary Education (now Namibia University for Science and Technology) who were beaten to pulp by the South African security forces? What the honourables should be doing is to concentrate on programmes, which should assist the youth in terms of finding employment. They should go the extra mile by rooting out corruption and other evils affecting the country.
Developed and civilised countries fail to relish their sentiments on the past, but forgive and forget and continue with issues of development. The devastating Second World War ended 78 years ago, but look at the developments Europe and the USA have made, even landing people on the moon. Namibian politicians still see the need to point accusing fingers at others, when they are supposed to attend to pressing issues. Maybe they have run out of fresh ideas!