EDITORIAL: Many Namibians brainwashed on China

Namibia has reciprocal visa-free entry arrangements with several countries – and reciprocity is the keyword here.

For example, British nationals can enter Namibia for a holiday or private visit of up to 90 days without a visa. Namibian citizens do not need a tourist visa when travelling to the United Kingdom either.

We are thus dumbfounded by the brouhaha around similar arrangements being made between China and Namibia.

China is not a perfect state, but as a country, they have never wronged Namibia.

While there have admittedly been unpleasant islands of displeasure with how certain Chinese individuals and businesses have conducted themselves here, the state itself has never conducted itself in similar fashion towards Namibia.

Nations with uglier pasts in their dealings with Namibia have been granted similar entry privileges, but there has never been this level of noise. Namibians have been brainwashed to think that the West has the best intent in our country, while China’s agenda is nefarious. The West must be gloating in this ignorance.

China is recognised as the biggest outbound tourist market in the world and its people have their eyes firmly set on Africa. We must capitalise on this.

We can bet our lives that the outrage observed this week following the revelation of ongoing visa negotiations is coming from people who have been manipulated to think everything Chinese must be handled with a pair of tongs.