EDITORIAL: In search of contemporary heroes

Namibia needs new heroes. It is often said lately that we are in the middle of a new war – an economic one. If the liberation struggle had heroes, so should economic warfare.

The liberation struggle is a very important chapter in our history books. It is, in fact, the most important chapter in any Namibian book chronicling the journey we have walked. And it has produced countless heroes for our country.

Sadly, many of these heroes have turned into villains as time has passed.

They have gotten drunk off their gloated sense of self-importance and the idea that the country owes its entire being to them.

This ‘strong man’ mentality has made these former heroes unaccountable to anyone – and anyone who dares question their erratic behaviour is labelled a threat to the gains of the country’s freedom and independence.

They pile accolades, street names and good positions upon themselves and demand respect, even where it is not warranted. They believe their respect has already been gained and nothing they do today can undo their war exploits.

It’s a sad African habit that heroes drop the ball halfway and become even worse than the enemy who took them to war in the first place.

But when this is replaced with grand-scale thievery, nepotism and the corrupt manner in which the rest of the nation is left licking its wounds, so-called heroes become villains. The current struggle must birth new martyrs, people who are hellbent on safeguarding present generations and their future.