EDITORIAL: The dark shadow of racism

The bile spewed by self-proclaimed Polish racist Janusz Walus since returning to his native country is a chilling reminder that the toxic roots of white supremacy still thrive, nourished by the prejudices of a bygone era.Walus, who spent nearly 30 years in a South African prison for the cold-blooded assassination of South African revolutionary Chris Hani in 1993, has not only failed to show remorse but has doubled down on his vile beliefs. In 2025, he still spews rhetoric about black inferiority, advocating for the segregation of black people into homelands.These views are not relics of history – they persist, emboldened by a resurgent far-right movement on the global stage. The ripple effects of Donald Trump’s recent return to power in the USA are evident, with figures like tech billionaire Elon Musk lending credence to such ideologies. Over the weekend, Musk addressed a far-right gathering, urging them to "move beyond" the guilt associated with Nazi atrocities.But what does "moving beyond" mean for communities like the Nama and Ovaherero in Namibia, who continue their fight for reparations from Germany over the genocide that decimated their ancestors more than a century ago? For them, justice remains elusive, their wounds unhealed. Musk’s rhetoric, like that of Walus, implies that black Africans should abandon their pursuit of accountability, cloaking the injustice of history under the guise of progress and reconciliation.The narratives propagated by these individuals leave black Africans grappling with painful contradictions. On one hand, they are urged to forgive their oppressors in the spirit of reconciliation. On the other, they confront persistent reminders of a world unwilling to confront its past.Reconciliation cannot exist in a vacuum. It must be anchored in truth, justice and accountability.

EDITORIAL: The dark shadow of racism

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-05-02

Please login to leave a comment

EDITORIAL: The dark shadow of racism

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-05-02

Please login to leave a comment

Login