The tragic death of Magdalena

Pragmatist from Windhoek writes:
 
ANYBODY who was in Namibia on the day of 27 July 2010 has surely by now heard of the tragic and shocking murder of Magdalena Stoffels in a river bed on her way back from school. Her death was really a tragic event but it could serve as a catalyst to all Namibians, especially the national leaders, spiritual leaders and civic organisations for urgent and drastic action.

Maybe the best way to fittingly remember Magdalena Stoffels’ soul is by resolving that every Namibian must do something to change the horrible phenomenon of baby dumping, murder, crime and suicide in our country.

It is within this context that I write this letter as my contribution of doing something with regard to the afore-mentioned phenomena. Junias Fillipus (alleged suspect) might have committed a terrible crime, but what should be, at the moment, haunting the Namibian nation’s collective conscience is the fact that we (Namibian society at large) have terribly failed both Magdalena Stoffels and Junias Fillipus.

As normally the case with these kinds of horror incidents, many people and groups tend to ask searching questions, offer explanations and provide solutions in trying to avoid a repeat of similar incidents in future.

Consistent with this norm, many individuals and groups have also, since the tragic murder of Magdalena Stoffels, suggested views, offered explanations and provided solutions as to what must be done to solve horrific crime and murders.

Perusing daily newspaper reports, some of these views, are as follows:

1. Faith-based organisations (CCN and Church Alliance for Orphans): “Sick society – symptoms of the actions happening amongst us are because of a sick society” (The Namibian, 30 July 2010: 7).

2. Political analysts – (Alfredo Hengari): Lack of political will and indifferent attitude. “...I am not sure whether it will be a subject that would enjoy the priority of the Head of State, Hifikepunye Pohamba, or the Cabinet Committee on Security. I don’t know if it gives theMinister (of Safety) sleepless nights or if it spurs him to action...” (The Namibian, 30 July 2010: 9).

3. General public - (5th year Unam Law student): “bring back the death penalty”. “We are also calling on the churches, who have access to the community, to start advocating for the death penalty.” (The Namibian, 30 July 2010: 2).

4. Political parties (Swapo Youth League) – More visible policing “The Ministry of Safety and Security should make sure that the country has more police officers on bicycles, cars and on foot, patrolling our cities, towns and villages.” (New Era, 30 July 2010: 4).

Analysing the above views and suggestions, a conclusion is clear that Namibians do not yet have, at best, a consensus of what must be done and, at worst, are still in a denial stage that the country faces a serious and demonic problem in the form of crime, rape and murders. The solution to the phenomena of baby dumping, murder, crime and suicide in the country is not, contrary to what Swapo Youth League suggests, by having more police officers. Nor could the problems be solved by “bringing back the death penalty”.

In fact, the suggestion to have more police officers is, in itself, an illogical and cynical proposition, mainly, because of financial implications and geographical considerations (“wide-open spaces” of Namibia).

The death penalty cannot be brought back because it is one of the sections in the Namibian Constitution that cannot be amended. A 5th year Unam law student should know that reality better. The seemingly accurate assessment seems to be the one from the faith-based organisations – that serious crime and horrific rape and murders is a manifestation of a sick society.

If we have to solve this problem, all Namibians, especially the national leaders (if national leaders sneeze, the whole Namibia catches the cold) must first admit that our society is, like the CCN suggests, sick. National leaders must, as a matter of urgency, admit that they are presiding over a sick society and, thus, have to come up with urgent and drastic measures to cure and heal the societal sicknesses and diseases. The Minister of Justice and Secretary General of Swapo, Ms Pendukeni Ithana, came close to that admission in a NBC TV news interview on 29 July 2010. However, she lamented that “during our times, we feared God; people must go back to their Christian norms”. That an influential national leader is, seemingly, longing for past (colonial) times were people feared God but yet is “powerless” in creating similar conditions today is disturbing.

A national leader must not, unlike an ordinary citizen, look for answers on national television but must provide hope and answers in response to national disasters and tragedy.

Kosie Pretorius wrote (excuse me if quotation is not exact because I had to rely on my hand-written notes) in the Windhoek Observer of 15 November 2008, page 11 as follows: “Some people in Namibia blame the high levels of crime and lack of discipline on the lack of religious instruction in our schools. Most people miss the point that the huge step backwards in lack of morals is a case of confusion. If the child is not educated at school in the same way as they are in church or at home, then you confuse the child for the rest of his/her life. The country became a secular state at independence. The Bible was removed from the education system and the knowledge of God is thus no longer instilled in the children. This has brought a big change in the upbringing of our children at schools. Children have been denied the understanding of what God desires from them, as His creatures, in relation to Him, to their fellow men, to themselves and to the whole creation.”

What more correct and truthful assessment could one get as the above? These views of Mr. Pretorius are Holy-Spirit inspired. It might correctly explain the root causes of the terrible occurrences we are witnessing today.

If today’s political elite have the power to re-introduce and/or improve religious instruction, ethics and morality in our schools, instead of Ms Ithana longing for past times (probably colonial times) where people had morality and the fear of God, why not affect those changes now?

Because Mr. Pretorius is a white man, we do not listen to him even if he suggests plausible solutions to our national problems. This is exactly where the problem is – lack of political will, hypocrisy, double standards and arrogance of political power in affecting the required societal changes and brings about improvements in people’s socio-economic conditions.

Until we acknowledge and move to address this issue of a sick society because of indifferent attitude, lack of political will, arrogance of political power and failure to heed good advice irrespective of who offers it (whether a member of an opposition party, white man, “imperialist”, “collaborator” or “stooge”), Namibia will remain a sick society where horrific crime, rape and murders are the norm.

Confusion, more often than not, to innocent people is the biggest enemy of stability. In conclusion, it is up to the Honourable members to go back to the drawing board, search and think authentically for answers to the current challenges and then provide security and hope to the Namibian citizenry.

It is not good enough to wait until a tragedy happens and then “perform” public relation exercises by visiting grief-stricken families (probably with a deceitful motive of presidential ambitions).

As national leaders, we have to provide upfront and honest solutions to societal challenges and not wait until fait accompli, e.g. after a tragedy.

(Letter shortened – Editor)