EDITORIAL: The systemic exclusion of Ovambadja
Maybe it's electioneering. But the exclusion of Ovambadja people from mainstream political and executive roles, as raised by Namibian Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) leader Epafras Mukwiilongo, is a fact and can no longer be ignored with impunity.
It cannot be by pure coincidence that, for 34 years, no member of this language group has ever been appointed to a senior government job – even as a deputy minister.
There's clear and systemic exclusion, perhaps exacerbated by the fact that Ovambadja have never climbed mountaintops to herald their presence in a country whose excessive tokenism has so far eluded them.
While we discourage tokenism as fodder for political inclusion, it is still imperative that our state and political structures should fully display the diversity of our nation.
Ovambadja don't need favours. But their existence must be acknowledged in the manner that everyone else in the country has.
What do Ovambadja lack, apart from a sense of entitlement? Their role in the liberation of our country is indelible; their education speaks to Namibia's skills requirements, and – for what it's worth – an overwhelming majority of them have been loyal to those running the country as electoral results have shown time and again.
Being a border community, Ovambadja lived in a war zone. They have sacrificed lives, limb and assets for Namibia. And still, Namibia has now turned its back on them.
*Disclaimer: This author is a member of the Ovambadja community.
It cannot be by pure coincidence that, for 34 years, no member of this language group has ever been appointed to a senior government job – even as a deputy minister.
There's clear and systemic exclusion, perhaps exacerbated by the fact that Ovambadja have never climbed mountaintops to herald their presence in a country whose excessive tokenism has so far eluded them.
While we discourage tokenism as fodder for political inclusion, it is still imperative that our state and political structures should fully display the diversity of our nation.
Ovambadja don't need favours. But their existence must be acknowledged in the manner that everyone else in the country has.
What do Ovambadja lack, apart from a sense of entitlement? Their role in the liberation of our country is indelible; their education speaks to Namibia's skills requirements, and – for what it's worth – an overwhelming majority of them have been loyal to those running the country as electoral results have shown time and again.
Being a border community, Ovambadja lived in a war zone. They have sacrificed lives, limb and assets for Namibia. And still, Namibia has now turned its back on them.
*Disclaimer: This author is a member of the Ovambadja community.
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Namibian Sun
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