Development force vs defence force

CEES STRIJBIS WRITES:

Dear Comrade President

You and I disagree about a great many things, but on one fact we certainly agree and that is that Namibia is in a terrible mess after the 30 years of comrades' rule.

But there is light in the tunnel if Swapo agrees to the following:

Stop the defence force and start a development force. (I refer to the articles in The Namibian from November 1989 to January 1990 and also to a letter to the then President to-be, the honorable now father of the Nation, comrade Nujoma), an excerpt from which I attach below. Use the Navy and the Air force to control our fishing grounds to keep away people who plunder our fish.

Limit the number of Ministers to 12-14.

Limit the number of state officials to 50 000 (there are ± 130 000 now).

Cut salaries of all state officials (including ministers, deputies etc. and yourself) in half. I am sure you can live on N$500 000 a year).

Up the minimum wage and old age and disability pensions at least to N$3 000 per month.

If Swapo does not agree to implement these 5 suggestions I am afraid that the South West Africa People's Organization will become history like the name South West Africa and then the opposition parties will implement the suggestions.

As I said in 1990: let us startle the world by stopping the defence force and starting a development force.

Development in the third world is only possible when destruction is stopped and if Namibia is the first to bring this reality to realization, all peace loving countries, all peace loving people and all peace loving organizations will help us generously to develop Namibia. The politicians need not to show the importance of power any longer – they will have to show results only.

Where do all the unemployed (ex-ministers and ex state officials) go?

The oldies go on pension (to enjoy the N$3 000 state pension) and the others join the development force to get decent training to get decent jobs.

Only two weeks ago we found a leaflet in our post-box inviting us to vote for the IPC. Their president is Dr Panduleni Itula (he is a real Doctor). We were so impressed that I and my wife immediately became members of the IPC (and thus wish to express ourselves as patriots).

I would suggest, comrade president, that you and all Swapo supporters do the same and help Dr. Itula to bring change and restore dignity to Namibia.



8th January 1990

Dear Mr. Nujoma

By means of this letter I once again appeal to you, your future government and all Namibians not to start a Defence Force but a Development Force instead.

I need not tell you that Namibia needs every cent it can find for survival and development. It does not take a prophet to predict that hard times lie ahead for us all. Africa is experiencing the most disastrous period it ever has gone through, and more disasters like droughts, corruption and violence will follow. Let us not add to the disasters – let us add to the solutions.

An effective and strong police force is the solution to the security of the country and its inhabitants. This professional force could include ex-Plan and Koevoet members combined into a special red beret border unit.

A good and strong Development Force is the solution to rapid development. This could be a combination of state and private sector effort with conscription for 12 – 18 months.

Strong discipline, a tougher judiciary with corporal punishment for theft, vandalism, violence etc., rather than burdening the taxpayer with the expense of full jails, is the solution for a healthy community. (I heard the other day that in Chile the family members of a convict have to supply him or her with food and pay for other costs incurred in jail.) The weak Western style of punishment is a frustration to all but the guilty one.

Sir, Africa is in big trouble and it is Africa which is at fault. Africa has allowed itself to become a parasite and tends to wait for grants and gifts only instead of working towards a future.

No one can convince me that Africa is not able to develop, or is not able to be productive enough. Africa must learn to work – and let me tell you Sir – the people of Africa can work like few Europeans can.

Sir, we cannot afford a Defence Force and we don't need a Defence Force because there is no aggressor and there won't be an aggressor. Aggressive individuals or groups can easily be handled by a good Police Force.

Let us not wait for grants and gifts only, let us not think that Europe or America are going to feed us; the Honeckers, Husaks and Caucescues have left enough problems already. Let us get enough money for our needs and use it for genuine development only. Let us start to feed the nation properly. Let us cure ALL sick, let us start to build enough houses, and let us start to create enough work for all – and note my order Sir – let us also make sure that every Namibian has the opportunity to be suitably and appropriately educated.

Let us first and foremost seek to ingratiate ourselves with God. After all, He can bless us or withhold His blessing. Let us admit to be weak, to be in His hands. Our breath of life is the most powerful possession we have… we can only cut this breath off, we cannot keep it going. What power do we have but to obey God?