EDITORIAL: Heroes who are not
In two weeks, we will be celebrating our independence and a lot will be said about our liberation heroes.
The country has no shortage of heroes – whether from the wartime era or from other equally befitting acts away from liberations and gunpowder.
As is the case every year, questions will again be asked as to who is a hero and for what deeds? These are legitimate questions.
More so because today, any Joe Blow is considered a hero for just doing their regular job, as being a citizen requires. There is simply nothing that separates these Average Joes from the pack in terms of their deeds.
The manner in which ‘hero’ is bantered about for just about any stupid populist reason cheapens the meaning and standards of being a hero.
In 2018, Tulonga Neputa - who rescued a baby from a burning vehicle after an accident that killed five people - refused to be called a hero. She said she was only a parent whose motherly instincts summoned her to act.
If the standards of heroism are being reduced to the shocking levels we have seen in recent years, we are dishonouring Namibian men and women of exceptional courage who genuinely are worthy of the title.
True, the prerogative often lies with the president. But citizens too have an obligation to question what they may perceive as dubious popularity-fuelled decisions.
The country has no shortage of heroes – whether from the wartime era or from other equally befitting acts away from liberations and gunpowder.
As is the case every year, questions will again be asked as to who is a hero and for what deeds? These are legitimate questions.
More so because today, any Joe Blow is considered a hero for just doing their regular job, as being a citizen requires. There is simply nothing that separates these Average Joes from the pack in terms of their deeds.
The manner in which ‘hero’ is bantered about for just about any stupid populist reason cheapens the meaning and standards of being a hero.
In 2018, Tulonga Neputa - who rescued a baby from a burning vehicle after an accident that killed five people - refused to be called a hero. She said she was only a parent whose motherly instincts summoned her to act.
If the standards of heroism are being reduced to the shocking levels we have seen in recent years, we are dishonouring Namibian men and women of exceptional courage who genuinely are worthy of the title.
True, the prerogative often lies with the president. But citizens too have an obligation to question what they may perceive as dubious popularity-fuelled decisions.
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Namibian Sun
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