Apartheid soldiers and their demands

Former SWATF/Koevoet soldiers have heightened their demands to be registered as war veterans and to benefit from the Ministry of Veterans' Affairs funding programme. Of late, the issue over whether there is justification for a pension payout, among others, for ex-SWATF/Koevoet soldiers has divided public opinion, with many saying there was no need to compensate fighters who were against Namibia's independence. On the other hand, the group of ex-SWATF soldiers feel they are being sidelined and marginalised by government in an independent Namibia. There is no doubt that the former apartheid soldiers are accepted as normal members of society. Even though some claim they are oppressed and discriminated against, many former fighters have gone on to secure jobs, including in government and the private sector, just like other ordinary Namibians. Those of old-age are registered with government and receive the monthly old-age grant, while still others receive free counselling services. The plight of the former fighters is a complex one and although the Swapo-led government inherited the republic from the South African authorities, it will be unfair to expect the government of the day to give in to their demands. Well, it is the moral duty of any government to ensure that all citizens have access to basic services such as safety, education and healthcare, among others. As much as the ex-soldiers are trying to shed their dark past as regiments which helped the South African Defence Force in military operations against the nationalist guerrilla force, they have never been declared persona non grata in this country. Thus we can't take for granted the fact that government has absorbed many of these former soldiers into various state departments. There are many Namibians who have been hunting for hope and courage over the years, but poverty still stalks them. Yet, we don't see them making abhorrent demands against government despite their not-so-well livelihood. As a country we have adopted the policy of national reconciliation where perpetrators of brutal acts have been given the opportunity for amnesty and that should be respected by all even by those threatening to take up arms in retaliation.