2008-02-05Staff Report 2 When the news of Adv. Bience Gawanas' reappointment as the African Union Commissioner for Social Affairs reached me and many others last Saturday, there was a cloud of overwhelming happiness on the Namibian sky for the trust and confidence the people of Africa has in this great Namibian woman. So were our President and many Namibians happy. Her reappointment is indeed a victory for Namibians and all African friends both on the continent and those in the Diaspora. I for the first time met this enthusiastic woman in the middle of the 1990's and since then have been inspired by her courage and determination. She inspired many of us that as long as you have an iron will, you can turn misfortune into advantage. Adv. Gawanas is a great human being, full of energy, with indomitable spirit and, above all a person of action. She is an all-weather friend, indeed a person who has gained respect from many of us, by only living to the principals of being true to yourself. She is a role model for the present day generation of Namibians and a true embodiment of what the women of our ancient times represent. During her tenure of being the Ombudsman of Namibia, I had observed one remarkable thing that makes this great woman an outstanding icon for the protection of basic human rights that always encourages people through her deeds and actions that you should be tolerant of those who have views that are different to yours, because at the end, you will win by the correctness of the position that you take. Women of this calibre are very rare in our society and it is incumbent upon us today's generation of Namibians to follow in the footsteps of. Adv. Gawanas and many other Namibians, both men and woman. Life is a journey and it is only what you make out of what you have, not what you are given, that separates you from another person. It is only after climbing a great hill, that one finds that there are many more hills to climb. Adv. Gawanas remember that we're right behind you even in Addis Ababa to make sure that there will be many more hills of prosperity for you to climb. Keep up the good work, Keep the Namibian flag high, and remember that you are what you ought to be. I wish you God's guidance and blessings. Ta /goresa /uru Simon J. /Uirab 2008-02-05Staff Report 2
