SA outrage will not generate extra voltage – Hengari
Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) member of parliament Inna Hengari says South Africa’s official condemnation of her dig at that country’s perpetual power supply problems will not “generate extra voltage”.
Her remark, made in jest on Twitter to welcome Nigerian superstar Burna Boy to Namibia on Sunday, sparked a reaction from that country’s department of international relations, which they said was in bad taste.
Sparks flew on Twitter between Namibians and South Africans over the weekend after Hengari tweeted: “Burna driving from the airport and wondering where everyone’s at. Empty country, this one. Welcome to Namibia, Burna Boy. Here, there’s no load shedding. Have massive electric fun”.
Although she did not explicitly refer to Namibia’s neighbour in her now-infamous tweet, South Africans immediately took offence, and the matter has since escalated to that government demanding an apology.
SABC news yesterday reported that Clayson Monyela, spokesperson of South Africa’s department of international relations, condemned Hengari’s remarks.
“If this was a joke, I think it was in bad taste, particularly coming from a member of parliament. The energy challenges in South Africa are being addressed and this will benefit not just the people of South Africa, but - I argue - the entire SADC region, if you consider [how] interconnected our economies are.
“So, jokes aside, the work we have is quite serious and I think we need to focus on that,” he is quoted as saying.
Monyela has also responded to Hengari on Twitter, telling her to “behave” and that Burna Boy comes from Nigeria and is familiar with load shedding.
Reacting to the outrage in South Africa, Hengari yesterday told Namibia Sun: “I will issue a formal response and that does not mean I must be quick and hasty”.
Having a further dig at the neighbouring country’s power failures, she added: “In any case, a response today will not generate extra voltage. Load shedding will still occur between 00:00 and 16:00 Wednesday and Thursday”.
Truth is truth
Former ambassador and veteran diplomat Tuliameni Kalomoh said Hengari’s remarks were clearly made in jest, adding that it is unfortunate that the South African government is taking aim at her right to freedom of expression.
“One thing about us Africans and the reason why we are not making progress is because we don’t want to be told the truth. The negative impact of load shedding in South Africa is not a secret at all and we should - as African leaders - instead resolve to address it.
“Another thing is, South Africa has entrenched freedom of expression and it should not be prohibiting free people to make free speech,” he said.
Currently, Namibia imports most of its electricity from South Africa and other countries in the region. A special arrangement between NamPower and Eskom, the South African power utility, enables Namibia to buy and utilise its surplus energy at affordable rates.
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Her remark, made in jest on Twitter to welcome Nigerian superstar Burna Boy to Namibia on Sunday, sparked a reaction from that country’s department of international relations, which they said was in bad taste.
Sparks flew on Twitter between Namibians and South Africans over the weekend after Hengari tweeted: “Burna driving from the airport and wondering where everyone’s at. Empty country, this one. Welcome to Namibia, Burna Boy. Here, there’s no load shedding. Have massive electric fun”.
Although she did not explicitly refer to Namibia’s neighbour in her now-infamous tweet, South Africans immediately took offence, and the matter has since escalated to that government demanding an apology.
SABC news yesterday reported that Clayson Monyela, spokesperson of South Africa’s department of international relations, condemned Hengari’s remarks.
“If this was a joke, I think it was in bad taste, particularly coming from a member of parliament. The energy challenges in South Africa are being addressed and this will benefit not just the people of South Africa, but - I argue - the entire SADC region, if you consider [how] interconnected our economies are.
“So, jokes aside, the work we have is quite serious and I think we need to focus on that,” he is quoted as saying.
Monyela has also responded to Hengari on Twitter, telling her to “behave” and that Burna Boy comes from Nigeria and is familiar with load shedding.
Reacting to the outrage in South Africa, Hengari yesterday told Namibia Sun: “I will issue a formal response and that does not mean I must be quick and hasty”.
Having a further dig at the neighbouring country’s power failures, she added: “In any case, a response today will not generate extra voltage. Load shedding will still occur between 00:00 and 16:00 Wednesday and Thursday”.
Truth is truth
Former ambassador and veteran diplomat Tuliameni Kalomoh said Hengari’s remarks were clearly made in jest, adding that it is unfortunate that the South African government is taking aim at her right to freedom of expression.
“One thing about us Africans and the reason why we are not making progress is because we don’t want to be told the truth. The negative impact of load shedding in South Africa is not a secret at all and we should - as African leaders - instead resolve to address it.
“Another thing is, South Africa has entrenched freedom of expression and it should not be prohibiting free people to make free speech,” he said.
Currently, Namibia imports most of its electricity from South Africa and other countries in the region. A special arrangement between NamPower and Eskom, the South African power utility, enables Namibia to buy and utilise its surplus energy at affordable rates.
- [email protected]
Comments
Harry Tjihukununa
We should resolve the electricity issue tainted by abuse by ourselves, as Africans. Stay out from reacting to petty issues, just get the load shedding right, as ordinary South-Africans are suffering!