Betraying the Cassinga sacrifice

When looting national resources through scandals like Fishrot, we are betraying those who sacrificed their precious blood in wars fought to defend and free Namibia.

We are betraying the heroes of Cassinga – and indeed others who perished in other battles in defence of the motherland – when resettlement farms are distributed among cronies.

Indeed, it is a betrayal of the aspirations of freedom when women and children are at the receiving end of physical abuse, rape and murder.

When youth unemployment stands at 43% and graduates are unable to enter the job market, Cassinga heroes, dead and alive, are betrayed.

Namibians at Cassinga did not fight the enemy for eight straight hours to pave way for cronyism and patronage.

Those gallant sons and daughters put their lives on the line in defence of a Namibia where national identity should supersede tribal distinctiveness and all races are equal – and enjoying the same level of access to national resources.

Indeed, when clinics run out of medical supplies, and mothers cannot get anaesthetic injections to undergo caesarean sections, it is betrayal.

Cuban troops did not rush to Cassinga to protect pregnant mothers, minor children and the maimed from merciless shelling by apartheid South African troops so that thievery can thrive.

Until integrity, uprightness and moral solidarity with the downtrodden become our daily standard operating procedure, this unsolicited betrayal will continue unabated.

The 42nd commemoration of Cassinga Day must thus serve as a springboard for the betterment of humanity.