EDITORIAL: European colonialism vs apartheid
President Hage Geingob’s thinly-veiled assertion that the apartheid chapter of our history was worse than the genocide suffered by the Nama and Ovaherero at the turn of the century cannot go unchallenged.
First of all, the parallels the head of state drew were offensive. This isn't a beauty pageant, where a winner must be inevitably declared. These are tragedies our country as a whole experienced over two distinct times of our history.
Drawing comparisons is completely unacceptable, more so when it’s coming from the head of state. But if we were compelled to juxtapose the two, it’s hard to see how apartheid would come out on top.
It’s easy to see why Geingob thinks the liberation struggle, in which he was an active participant, represents a more brutal period of our history. This is so that his own heroic acts in the jungle, his expeditions, medals and bravery are glorified – and naming every second street after him is justified.
But unlike during apartheid, the Nama and Ovaherero of the genocide era had no choice to even to become a puppet. Or hold sham elections.
With apartheid, those who danced to the tune of the master were guaranteed safety. On the other hand, the two tribes were targeted for total extinction. Men, women, children and babies were to be shot on sight. They were not spared if they acted in a particular way or pledged any allegiance.
First of all, the parallels the head of state drew were offensive. This isn't a beauty pageant, where a winner must be inevitably declared. These are tragedies our country as a whole experienced over two distinct times of our history.
Drawing comparisons is completely unacceptable, more so when it’s coming from the head of state. But if we were compelled to juxtapose the two, it’s hard to see how apartheid would come out on top.
It’s easy to see why Geingob thinks the liberation struggle, in which he was an active participant, represents a more brutal period of our history. This is so that his own heroic acts in the jungle, his expeditions, medals and bravery are glorified – and naming every second street after him is justified.
But unlike during apartheid, the Nama and Ovaherero of the genocide era had no choice to even to become a puppet. Or hold sham elections.
With apartheid, those who danced to the tune of the master were guaranteed safety. On the other hand, the two tribes were targeted for total extinction. Men, women, children and babies were to be shot on sight. They were not spared if they acted in a particular way or pledged any allegiance.
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