Justicia Shipena
Political analyst Ben Mulongeni says the conduct of National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo) member of parliament Vetaruhe Kandorozu in the National Assembly on Wednesday appears to be an attempt to gain popularity.
During the session, chaos erupted in the chamber after Kandorozu refused to withdraw comments questioning the citizenship of deputy minister of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture Dino Ballotti.
“Now he is trying to wake up when the fight is over. That fight is over; that era is over. I think he’s trying to be popular,” Mulongeni said in an interview with the Windhoek Observer.
During the heated exchange, Kandorozu said Ballotti does not look Namibian.
“Namibia does not look like that,” Kandorozu said.
When asked to withdraw the statement, he questioned the request.
“Withdraw what? Is he not from Italy? What is the problem with that? Yes, I said those words. I said he is from Italy. What is the problem? I am from Central Africa. What is the problem?” he said.
Deputy speaker of the National Assembly Phillipus Katamelo, who was presiding over the session, rejected the remarks.
“The words are first unparliamentary, and it is not in the interest of building a nation, and I ask you to withdraw that statement,” Katamelo said.
Kandorozu continued to defend his position.
“What makes the statement unparliamentary? No, let’s speak reality. So for the sake of progress, I will withdraw, but he is not a Namibian. These white people that have colonised us took our land and destroyed our culture. I am not going to have respect for them,” he said.
“A white man is a white man; they are not Namibian whether you like it or not.”
Minister of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture Sanet Steenkamp reacted with anger to the remarks by Kandorozu.
“Honourable Kandorozu, I have never been insulted in my life in the manner that you did today. You take away my right as a full Namibian and make it as if I, as a member of this House, do not have a history, do not have an identity, and do not serve this country with the integrity and dignity that I feel I stand on,” Steenkamp said.
“You have no right to make such a remark. What does it mean… How dare you, honourable member, say, ‘Namibia does not look like this’? How dare you? I am Namibian; we are Namibian; you are Namibians in full. You will not tell me I am not Namibian. And I want an apology. We are not your children,” Steenkamp expressed.
After the exchange, deputy speaker Katamelo said Kandorozu’s conduct would be referred to the standing committee on rules for consideration.
Swapo members of parliament objected and staged a walkout in protest.
Steenkamp and health minister Esperance Luvindao were the first to leave the chamber. The walkout left the House in disorder, forcing the session to come to an end.
Mulongeni said the remarks undermine the spirit of national unity.
“I think what the honourable did is unparliamentary and very childish, unpatriotic and against the spirit of the Namibian House,” he said.
“Whichever way you put it, I don’t think you will get support from anyone, not even from black Namibians.”
He said Namibia’s liberation struggle was fought against colonial rule and was later followed by reconciliation.
“The time when Namibia was under foreign occupation, when the youth of Namibia stood up to say down with colonialism. Of course, colonialism was spearheaded by white people,” he said.
Mulongeni said modern Namibia is being built by citizens committed to the country.
“Everybody’s from somewhere, or everybody has got ancestors from somewhere. But today we are building Namibia with everybody who can make a contribution, who is committed to the development of Namibia and believes in Namibia,” he said.
Sensitivity
Another political analyst Sackaria Johannes said discussions about identity are sensitive but should be handled carefully.
“What Mr Kandorozu said is sensitive. Even what the deputy speaker said was honest. The problem is that we sometimes avoid honesty to please society,” he said.
Johannes said historical realities should be acknowledged while maintaining national unity.
“Truth pains, but history must be told as it is. At the same time, we must respect the reality that people born in Namibia are Namibians and part of the nation,” he said.
Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah said racial remarks distract parliamentarians from their main responsibility of passing laws.
“For me the question is how does that language contribute to passing bills in Parliament and making laws. They must focus on language that helps Parliament and the House pass important laws that are needed in the lives of many Namibians,” Kamwanyah said.
He said turning to racial or ethnic rhetoric weakens parliamentary debate.
“For me it is important for Parliament to realise that when you resort to race or ethnicity, you have lost the debate,” Kamwanyah stated.
