Defending the legacy of General Dumeni Solomon ‘Jesus’ Hawala
OPINION
Taddeus Ndeyatila Shithigona
In the wake of the passing of Lieutenant General (retired) Dumeni Solomon ‘Jesus’ Hawala, a towering figure in Namibia’s liberation struggle, it is utterly disgraceful and historically myopic that detractors continue to smear his name with baseless epithets like ‘the Butcher of Lubango’.
These cowardly attacks, often peddled by those who sat comfortably while others bled for freedom, ignore the brutal realities of war and seek to rewrite history for petty political gain. Hawala was a warrior who dedicated his life to dismantling the apartheid regime, serving as deputy commander of the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) under the revered H.E. Dr Sam Nujoma, and later as the chief of the Namibian Defence Force in our independent nation. His sacrifices – leaving home, enduring exile, and facing death daily – paved the way for the sovereignty we now enjoy.
Let us therefore be clear: there is no war without casualties, no liberation without painful choices. The dark days of the struggle saw infiltrators and spies, hired by the apartheid machine, embedded within Swapo’s ranks to sow discord and derail our fight against colonial minority rule.
These traitors, funded by Pretoria’s blood money, threatened the very existence of our movement. Commanders like Hawala, tasked with safeguarding the revolution in the harsh exile camps of Lubango, Angola, had to make impossible decisions to protect the greater cause.
Accusations of killing innocents are exaggerated propaganda, often amplified by former enemies or disgruntled elements who refuse to accept the necessities of anti-colonial resistance. Human Rights Watch and other reports acknowledge the context of paranoia and real threats from South African intelligence, yet critics cherry-pick to vilify heroes while ignoring the systemic atrocities of the oppressor.
Extend the same
If our nation has chosen the path of reconciliation, forgiving the architects of apartheid like F.W. de Klerk, who oversaw a regime that murdered thousands, and pardoning the notorious Koevoet and SWATF mercenaries who slaughtered Namibians for mere beef and biscuits in exchange for loyalty to white supremacy, why do we not extend the same understanding to our own commanders?
In fact, De Klerk received a Nobel Prize and global acclaim despite his hands being stained with the blood of innocents; Koevoet killers walk free in our society. Yet General Hawala, who fought for our dignity and independence, is hounded by hypocrites who demand perfection from the oppressed but amnesty for the oppressors. This double standard is not justice; it is a betrayal of our history.
Legacy to be honoured
As a nation, we must praise and immortalise Hawala’s brave legacy: a gallant son of the soil who rose from humble beginnings to lead PLAN’s forces, ensuring Swapo’s survival against overwhelming odds. His strategic acumen in the bush war, his unwavering loyalty to the cause of the national liberation struggle, and his post-independence role in building a professional defence force are testaments to his patriotism.
It is not by accident that he is honoured with Namibia’s highest awards, including the Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis. General Hawala’s contributions far outweigh the unproven smears lobbed by armchair critics. To those who call him a butcher: examine your own complicity in perpetuating division, and remember that without men like General Hawala, Namibia would still be under the boot of apartheid.
His sacrifice therefore demands respect, not revisionism. May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may his enduring legacy inspire us all to unite rather than divide.
In the wake of the passing of Lieutenant General (retired) Dumeni Solomon ‘Jesus’ Hawala, a towering figure in Namibia’s liberation struggle, it is utterly disgraceful and historically myopic that detractors continue to smear his name with baseless epithets like ‘the Butcher of Lubango’.
These cowardly attacks, often peddled by those who sat comfortably while others bled for freedom, ignore the brutal realities of war and seek to rewrite history for petty political gain. Hawala was a warrior who dedicated his life to dismantling the apartheid regime, serving as deputy commander of the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) under the revered H.E. Dr Sam Nujoma, and later as the chief of the Namibian Defence Force in our independent nation. His sacrifices – leaving home, enduring exile, and facing death daily – paved the way for the sovereignty we now enjoy.
Let us therefore be clear: there is no war without casualties, no liberation without painful choices. The dark days of the struggle saw infiltrators and spies, hired by the apartheid machine, embedded within Swapo’s ranks to sow discord and derail our fight against colonial minority rule.
These traitors, funded by Pretoria’s blood money, threatened the very existence of our movement. Commanders like Hawala, tasked with safeguarding the revolution in the harsh exile camps of Lubango, Angola, had to make impossible decisions to protect the greater cause.
Accusations of killing innocents are exaggerated propaganda, often amplified by former enemies or disgruntled elements who refuse to accept the necessities of anti-colonial resistance. Human Rights Watch and other reports acknowledge the context of paranoia and real threats from South African intelligence, yet critics cherry-pick to vilify heroes while ignoring the systemic atrocities of the oppressor.
Extend the same
If our nation has chosen the path of reconciliation, forgiving the architects of apartheid like F.W. de Klerk, who oversaw a regime that murdered thousands, and pardoning the notorious Koevoet and SWATF mercenaries who slaughtered Namibians for mere beef and biscuits in exchange for loyalty to white supremacy, why do we not extend the same understanding to our own commanders?
In fact, De Klerk received a Nobel Prize and global acclaim despite his hands being stained with the blood of innocents; Koevoet killers walk free in our society. Yet General Hawala, who fought for our dignity and independence, is hounded by hypocrites who demand perfection from the oppressed but amnesty for the oppressors. This double standard is not justice; it is a betrayal of our history.
Legacy to be honoured
As a nation, we must praise and immortalise Hawala’s brave legacy: a gallant son of the soil who rose from humble beginnings to lead PLAN’s forces, ensuring Swapo’s survival against overwhelming odds. His strategic acumen in the bush war, his unwavering loyalty to the cause of the national liberation struggle, and his post-independence role in building a professional defence force are testaments to his patriotism.
It is not by accident that he is honoured with Namibia’s highest awards, including the Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis. General Hawala’s contributions far outweigh the unproven smears lobbed by armchair critics. To those who call him a butcher: examine your own complicity in perpetuating division, and remember that without men like General Hawala, Namibia would still be under the boot of apartheid.
His sacrifice therefore demands respect, not revisionism. May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may his enduring legacy inspire us all to unite rather than divide.
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