EDITORIAL: Diplomacy got us into this mess
President Hage Geingob’s remarks yesterday about South Africa’s attitude in SACU and on the Orange River jurisdiction – described by senior government officials as undiplomatic – should actually be applauded.
Except, we don’t know if Geingob is brave enough to say this to the face of his ‘brother’ Cyril Ramaphosa. He must look Ramaphosa in the eye, like a real man, and tell his counterpart about Namibia’s concerns in both regards. Radical honesty is a moral imperative.
If Geingob has said these things to the South Africans in their bi-national meetings, well and good. But if he shields himself with the Korean walls of State House before he spits fire in the manner he did yesterday, South Africa will never loosen her grip on SACU.
A bully will never surrender power to those who speak while looking the other way. We are neighbours and partners in business. The proverbial ‘big brother’ must give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar. Just like Namibia did with Kasikili Island, which we surrendered to Botswana in 1999 after a protracted International Court of Justice battle. We came out of that fight with bloodied noses, but we’ve cleaned up and moved on in the name of respecting international law and maintaining good neighbourliness.
Never be silenced, Mr President. Speak truth to the regional power that is South Africa. The good people south of the river will listen!
Except, we don’t know if Geingob is brave enough to say this to the face of his ‘brother’ Cyril Ramaphosa. He must look Ramaphosa in the eye, like a real man, and tell his counterpart about Namibia’s concerns in both regards. Radical honesty is a moral imperative.
If Geingob has said these things to the South Africans in their bi-national meetings, well and good. But if he shields himself with the Korean walls of State House before he spits fire in the manner he did yesterday, South Africa will never loosen her grip on SACU.
A bully will never surrender power to those who speak while looking the other way. We are neighbours and partners in business. The proverbial ‘big brother’ must give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar. Just like Namibia did with Kasikili Island, which we surrendered to Botswana in 1999 after a protracted International Court of Justice battle. We came out of that fight with bloodied noses, but we’ve cleaned up and moved on in the name of respecting international law and maintaining good neighbourliness.
Never be silenced, Mr President. Speak truth to the regional power that is South Africa. The good people south of the river will listen!
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