Self-imposed amnesia

RED ELEPHANT WRITES:

The self-imposed amnesia of Namibians totally eludes my mind.

Is it really Swartbooi and co that divide the nation? Let me remind the nation of consistent attacks by prominent Swapo leaders on minorities in the past.

Only after looking at this record of abuse of freedom of speech, and power and position on the part of fear-instilling Swapo leaders, should we have the privilege of hurling stones at Swartbooi. Swapo has for too long been abusing and disrespecting the nation and others in all forms, levels and degrees with the least deterrence and self-discipline.

When we even deny that fact, then we ourselves are the real thugs and liars.

Here is what transpired over the years in the form of a few examples as to how prominent Swapo leaders hurled ferocious attacks on others and thereby caused much harm in Namibian communities:

“Namibia: Nujoma attacks Homosexuals” (Outright Petition International; 1 January 1991).

"Threats against the press by the prime minister" (Attacks on the press 2000: Namibia, Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ); 19 years ago)

Denouncing and threatening homosexuals by Jerry Ekandjo, Helmut Angula, Nahas Angula and Hadino Hishongwa (“The Bermuda Triangle of African Homophobia”, The Gully, 28 March 2001).

Lashing out against gays, lesbians and “Boers” (“Nujoma lashes out at editor”, News24; 30 August 2003)

Hates speech against whites (“DTA kap Kapenda oor haatspraak”, Republikein; 17 November 2003).

Attacks on minorities ("Minder haatspraak uit regeringsgeledere", Republikein; 30 May 2006).

Hate speech and veiled death threats against members of the Committee on Welfare of Ex-Combatants (“Nujoma in hate speech row”, The Namibian; 01 August 2006).

“Nujoma lashes out at the opposition” (The Namibian; 12 February 2008).

Hate speech and threats against British people (“Nujoma hate speech complaint withdrawn”, The Namibian; 2 October 2009).

Ithana calls the Namibian daily newspaper a 'big snake in Namibia' (Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA); 13 October 2009).

Racial hate speech by Pendukeni Ithana (“Katjiuongua takes on Ithana”, The Namibian; 30 October 2009).

Hate speech by Jerry Ekandjo (Editorial: “Mind your speech”, The Namibian; 23 November 2012).

Inflammatory remarks against the LGBTI community by Sam Nujoma (“He's My President”, Journeyman.TV; date unknown).

As can be seen from the record of abuse above, Swapo leaders are the very ones who set the president. And the very Founding Father has been at the forefront of gravely marginalizing minorities as if they were not Namibians and humans.

This abuse has been happening a long time in Parliament too and has spilled over into communities in all manners. So let me ask again: Who is the thug and liar when we turn a blind eye towards these human rights abuses? Who is the actual one that disturbs the peace and is without manners when thousands out there get abused by the more powerful, the more privileged, the more important and the more empowered as a result of the examples set by Swapo leaders.