Melber quits Swapo over Hawala hero recognition
Nikanor Nangolo
Windhoek
Sweden-based Namibian academic Henning Melber on Saturday resigned from Swapo, citing the party’s recent posthumous recognition of former Namibian Defence Force (NDF) chief Solomon ‘Jesus’ Hawala as a key reason for his departure. Melber said the move reopened painful memories of Swapo’s past.Hawala has been accused by some of presiding over atrocities in the so-called Lubango dungeons during Namibia’s liberation struggle in Angola. Nevertheless, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, acting under the Namibian Constitution and the Conferment of National Honours Act, 2012 (Act No. 11 of 2012), posthumously conferred national hero status on Hawala and accorded him a state funeral, scheduled for 6 September in Ongwediva.
“President Nandi-Ndaitwah recognises [Hawala] for his distinguished military service, steadfast leadership, and unwavering dedication to the cause of Namibia’s liberation and nation-building. His legacy remains a symbol of courage, patriotism, and commitment to the ideals of freedom and independence,” State House said last week.
Melber, who had been a Swapo member for over 50 years, addressed his resignation to Nandi-Ndaitwah, saying he had “fooled himself as much as Swapo has betrayed the people.”
Born in 1950 in Stuttgart, Germany, Melber moved to Namibia in 1967. He joined Swapo in 1974, describing it as “a change of life I never regretted.” However, in his resignation letter, he said:
“For the same values and fundamental ethical and moral principles that motivated me to support the fight for self-determination and human dignity, I now have to part from an organisation that was, for many years, like a family to me.”
He specifically referenced the government’s decision to honour Hawala with a state funeral:“Comrade President, your recognition of the late Solomon Hawala brought back painful memories of the darkest chapter in Swapo’s history, which we have yet to acknowledge or take responsibility for. You praised him as an iconic figure of the Namibian revolution, celebrating his life in pursuit of freedom, peace, unity, and prosperity. Despite knowing better, you bestowed upon him the honour of a state funeral.”
Melber reflected on his decades-long commitment to Swapo and the ideals of solidarity, freedom, and justice:“There were many occasions when, ever since I became aware of the infamous dungeons, I had concerns that my belief served as an excuse for not parting with Swapo. The time has come to admit that I fooled myself as much as Swapo has betrayed the people. As a matter of restoring personal integrity, it is ultimately time for me to part. My love for Namibia and her people remains intact, and I remain loyal to the spirit of solidarity, freedom, and justice.”
From 1975 to 1989, Melber was banned from entering Namibia, and until 1993 from South Africa. After Namibia’s independence in 1990, he returned to the country. He relocated to Sweden in 2000.
Swapo Secretary General Sophia Shaningwa did not respond to requests for comment by publication time.
Last week, Namibian Sun reported that government officials were divided over granting Hawala a hero’s funeral due to the alleged atrocities. Last night on NTV talk show The Agenda, Breaking the Wall of Silence (BWS) coordinator Pauline Dempers cautioned against viewing Hawala’s actions in isolation:
“We cannot look at Jesus Hawala as this one man who brutalised, tortured, and killed Namibians. These actions were part of decisions, possibly by Swapo’s central committee or politburo, targeting spies. Yes, he was brutal, but he was carrying out a task,” Dempers said.
Windhoek
Sweden-based Namibian academic Henning Melber on Saturday resigned from Swapo, citing the party’s recent posthumous recognition of former Namibian Defence Force (NDF) chief Solomon ‘Jesus’ Hawala as a key reason for his departure. Melber said the move reopened painful memories of Swapo’s past.Hawala has been accused by some of presiding over atrocities in the so-called Lubango dungeons during Namibia’s liberation struggle in Angola. Nevertheless, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, acting under the Namibian Constitution and the Conferment of National Honours Act, 2012 (Act No. 11 of 2012), posthumously conferred national hero status on Hawala and accorded him a state funeral, scheduled for 6 September in Ongwediva.
“President Nandi-Ndaitwah recognises [Hawala] for his distinguished military service, steadfast leadership, and unwavering dedication to the cause of Namibia’s liberation and nation-building. His legacy remains a symbol of courage, patriotism, and commitment to the ideals of freedom and independence,” State House said last week.
Melber, who had been a Swapo member for over 50 years, addressed his resignation to Nandi-Ndaitwah, saying he had “fooled himself as much as Swapo has betrayed the people.”
Born in 1950 in Stuttgart, Germany, Melber moved to Namibia in 1967. He joined Swapo in 1974, describing it as “a change of life I never regretted.” However, in his resignation letter, he said:
“For the same values and fundamental ethical and moral principles that motivated me to support the fight for self-determination and human dignity, I now have to part from an organisation that was, for many years, like a family to me.”
He specifically referenced the government’s decision to honour Hawala with a state funeral:“Comrade President, your recognition of the late Solomon Hawala brought back painful memories of the darkest chapter in Swapo’s history, which we have yet to acknowledge or take responsibility for. You praised him as an iconic figure of the Namibian revolution, celebrating his life in pursuit of freedom, peace, unity, and prosperity. Despite knowing better, you bestowed upon him the honour of a state funeral.”
Melber reflected on his decades-long commitment to Swapo and the ideals of solidarity, freedom, and justice:“There were many occasions when, ever since I became aware of the infamous dungeons, I had concerns that my belief served as an excuse for not parting with Swapo. The time has come to admit that I fooled myself as much as Swapo has betrayed the people. As a matter of restoring personal integrity, it is ultimately time for me to part. My love for Namibia and her people remains intact, and I remain loyal to the spirit of solidarity, freedom, and justice.”
From 1975 to 1989, Melber was banned from entering Namibia, and until 1993 from South Africa. After Namibia’s independence in 1990, he returned to the country. He relocated to Sweden in 2000.
Swapo Secretary General Sophia Shaningwa did not respond to requests for comment by publication time.
Last week, Namibian Sun reported that government officials were divided over granting Hawala a hero’s funeral due to the alleged atrocities. Last night on NTV talk show The Agenda, Breaking the Wall of Silence (BWS) coordinator Pauline Dempers cautioned against viewing Hawala’s actions in isolation:
“We cannot look at Jesus Hawala as this one man who brutalised, tortured, and killed Namibians. These actions were part of decisions, possibly by Swapo’s central committee or politburo, targeting spies. Yes, he was brutal, but he was carrying out a task,” Dempers said.
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