( /1P Jan 1959 JUNE 1989 1

Editorial Welcome, New Readers For over 70 years, the people of the southern African territory of have endured the agony of oppression and racial injustice under South African colonial rule. Today, under the terms of an international agreement, Namibia finally stands at the threshold of freedom. For American Christians, who have long worked with Namibian Christians to end the suffering of South African occupation, this is a time of new joys and new challenges. And it has nurtured a new avenue for partnership among American Christians as, together, they support their Namibian brothers and sisters in the final steps to freedom. One result of that partnership is this Worshippers at a Roman Catholic church in northern Namibia. issue of Dateline:Namibia. For many years a resource of the Lutheran ON DAY OF PEACE, MORE TERROR IN NAMIBIA Church in America, the newsletter will now be published ecumenically For the people of Namibia, April 1 broke out between South African and by The Africa Fund in cooperation was to have been the day of deliverance. SWAPO forces near the border between with The Episcopal Church, the After 75 years of suffering and pain Namibia and its northern neighbor, Evangelical Lutheran Church in under South Africa's apartheid colonial Angola. South Africa blamed SWAPO America, the National Council of rule, the blue-helmeted peacekeeping for the violence, saying that hundreds Churches, and other denominations forces of the United Nations had arrived of SWAPO "terrorists" had invaded and ecumenical groups. to monitor the last steps toward free- Namibia from Angola in violation of For new readers, this first issue dom and independence. the UN independence plan . South Af- focuses on the history and Under UN supervision, the long war rica insisted that its soldiers be allowed background of Namibia and its between guerrilla soldiers of the South to repel the "invaders," and the UN, people, and on the role of the West Africa People's Organization with only a handful of its peacekeeping territory's Christian churches in the (SWAPO), Namibia's independence troops in place — and none in the sen- struggle for independence. movement, and South Africa's occupa- sitive border area — agreed to South The Africa Fund hopes that tion army was to end . South African Africa's demand. Dateline:Namibia will support soldiers were to go home and free elec- Joy turned to terror as the South ongoing denominational education tions in November were to pave the way African army, now fighting under the and advocacy efforts for justice in for a democratic Namibian govern- UN flag, killed SWAPO fighters and southern Africa, and serve as a ment. For Namibians, the vast majority civilians alike in what one South Afri- catalyst for new forms of Christian of whom are Black and Christian, can commander described as a "turkey witness. For though it may seem that April 1 was a joyous day, a day to thank shoot." By the time the fighting slack- the struggle is almost at an end, there God for the long-awaited blessing of ened, over 300 lives had been lost and has never been a more critical time peace and freedom. the freedom plan for Namibia was in for Americans to stand with the But there was to be no peace . In the shambles. Namibian people than today . early hours of April 1, heavy fighting continued on page 7 Background UNFLINCHING WITNESS : THE CHRISTIAN CHURCHES OF NAMIBIA

Introduction The Council of Churches in Namibia The diocese's work is centered in , where a church school, semi- The Council of Churches in Namibia, The Christian churches of Namibia nary, and hospital are located . These are formed in 1978, consists of the follow- have played a profound, even pivotal, now closed because of a bomb explo- ing denominations : African Methodist role in the freedom struggle of the sion in 1981, explained by the govern- Episcopal Church; Anglican Church Namibian people . It is a role they never ment as "the work of unknown arson- ( — Church of the asked for. But mounting South African- ists," although it is generally believed Province of Southern Africa); Evan- sponsored violence demanded of that these bombings and the destruction gelical Lutheran Church of South-West Namibian Christians a serious reexami- of the ELOC printing press were closely Africa/Namibia — Rhenish Mission; nation of the gospel, resulting in their linked. Only the church in the corn- Evangelical Lutheran Church of South- conviction that a life of terror and op- pound continues to function, and only West Africa/Namibia; German Evan- pression is not the will of a just and on Sundays. Today the medical clinic gelical Lutheran Church in South-West merciful God. For Namibians, there- has been renovated and is ready to re- Africa; Methodist Church of Southern fore, living out the gospel has meant open. Africa; Roman Catholic Church in standing in opposition to the evil and The Anglican church- has suffered Namibia; United Congregational injustice of South African apartheid and grievously under the administration of Church of Southern Africa . The coun- colonial rule. the South African government, and has cil's membership represents approxi- The first public expression of this seen five of its leaders deported in the mately 70 percent of Namibia's theological stance came in 1971, in the period from 1968 to 1978, including the 1,500,000 population . Its current presi- form of a historic open letter from influential activist British bishop, Colin dent is the Rev. Hendrik Frederik Namibian church leaders to Prime Winter. Minister B .J. Vorster of South Africa, (Lutheran), who recently succeeded the after the International Court of Justice Anglican Bishop James Kauluma. The at the Hague ruled that the continued Rev. Dr. Abisai Shejavali, also Lu- The Evangelical Lutheran Church presence of South Africa in Namibia theran, serves as general secretary. in South-West Africa/Namibia was illegal. The letter listed the injus- CCN has consistently called for a (ELCIN) ceasefire and the implementation of the tices and inequities of the prevailing ELCIN, formerly the Evangelical international blueprint for free elections system, and urged the South African Lutheran Ovambokavango Church and independence, United Nations government to take immediate steps (ELOC), has a membership of 360,653 Security Council Resolution 435, as the toward assuring South-West Africa its people in 60 parishes, more than 110 will of the Namibian people. The coun- rightful status as a "self-sufficient and pastors, and 220 evangelists and dea- cil's statements have been powerful independent state." cons. The bishop is the Rt . Rev . Kle- instruments in alerting Christians Since then, the churches of Namibia opas Dumeni, who in 1979 succeeded worldwide to Namibia's plight . Cur- have consistently exposed and con- the first Namibian bishop, the late rently, the council is deeply involved in demned violations of human rights in Leonard Auala. the many steps leading to fair elections, Namibia — and reaped the wrath of ELCIN's wide network of institu- repatriation of exiles, and, finally, to their South African oppressors. tions includes ELOC Press, which independence and freedom for Na- Over the past fifteen years, hundreds publishes Bibles, hymnals, educational . The largest of the council's of pastors and priests, lay leaders and mibia materials, and a newspaper, Omu- member bodies are the African Meth- congregants, have been arrested, kwetu; Paulinum Theological Semi- odist Episcopal, Anglican, Lutheran, beaten, tortured or even killed by the nary, a joint ELCIN/ELC institution; and Roman Catholic churches. South African army and police . Wor- Engela Parish Institute ; Kavango Bible ship services have been attacked or School, Oshigambo High School, as disrupted, church buildings damaged or Anglican Church, well as 60 elementary schools; and the desecrated, and foreign missionaries Diocese of Namibia Lutheran Medical Mission, a network expelled in an effort to silence the voice of 12 hospitals and 21 clinics, including of the church. The Anglican Church of Namibia has a training center for nurses and mid- The following paragraphs provide a an integrated membership approaching wives. brief look at the Council of Churches in 100,000, including about 1,000 whites. ELCIN runs the Ongwediva Youth Namibia, and several of Namibia's Twenty parishes, 14 of them in the and Conference Center, specializing in major churches and their leaders, their north, are served by 320 priests, cate- music education, and has carried out . The diocese also mission, and their faithful, effective and chists and evangelists mission work in Angola and Senegal committed ministry to the Namibian runs two schools, is ready to open an- since 1963 and 1976, respectively. people. other, and is developing a farm commu- Profiles of other Namibian church nity and theological college. John Liebenberg, the Namibian photographer bodies will be featured in subsequent The bishop is the Rt. Rev. James who took many of these pictures, narrowly sur- issues of Dateline:Namibia Kauluma. vived an assassination attempt on May 7.

2 Special Background Feature QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT NAMIBIA What is Namibia? Along the southwest coast of Africa lies Namibia — a land the size of Cali- fornia, Oregon and Washington state combined. Because much of this huge country is desert, the population is small — less than two million. Namibia is blessed with vast riches. Along its shores is the largest diamond mine in the world . Inland are great deposits of valuable minerals, such as uranium and copper. Many tons of fish are taken each year from Namibia's coastal waters, and Namibian farmers raise cattle and Karakul sheep, prized for their soft and beautiful wool. Yet, despite the bounty of the land, Namibia's people are among the poor- est in the world. The story of Namibia is Children praying on first day of school in Katutura Township, Namibia. one that should be understood by American Christians, for it is a story Are There Christians the deadly firearms of the colonizers . In about faith and suffering, and apeople 's 1906, the Germans nearly exterminated struggle to be free. in Namibia? the entire Herero people of central Namibia in a bloody campaign to crush Christian missionaries were among resistance to colonial rule. Who Lives the first white people to live perma- In 1915, South African soldiers in- There? nently in Namibia, bringing with them not only their religious beliefs, but also vaded Namibia and threw out the Ger- man colonizers . Several years later, the Almost all Namibians are Black. schools, health care and modern United States and other Western na- Before the arrival of the Europeans in technology . Many Namibians em- tions agreed to let South Africa rule the nineteenth century, many Namibi- braced the arrival of the missionaries Namibia as a "sacred trust of civiliza- ans made their living from the land . In and their teachings, as well as the op- tion." Under this legal mandate, South the fertile north, where most people still portunities for education and employ- Africa promised to promote "to the live, the main occupation was farming. ment they provided. Today, about 70 utmost the material well-being and the Farther south, where water is scarce, percent of all Namibians are Christians. social progress of the inhabitants of the people raised cattle for meat and milk, Of these, approximately 600,000 are territory." or lived as fishers and hunters. Lutheran, 100,000 are Anglican, and But it was to be a promise broken Namibians developed their own rich 170,000 are Roman Catholic. ; a trust betrayed. Instead of progress, and distinctive lifestyle and culture — But in Namibia, as in our own coun- Namibians and the Western countries music, art, dance, strong moral and try, the arrival of the Europeans spelled soon discovered that they had merely spiritual values and beliefs — along tragedy for the original inhabitants . For exchanged one oppressor for another. with forms of government suited to the European newcomers came not only their lives and needs . At the heart of to live and work, but also to rule . For Namibian life was the family . Many more than 100 years, Namibians have What Exactly people lived in homesteads called been ruled by foreign invaders, first kraals, which sometimes grew to in- from Germany and later from white- is Apartheid? clude dozens of people, because in ruled South Africa. Namibia even distant cousins, aunts It began in the 1880s, when German With South African rule came South and uncles were always welcome. soldiers arrived to make Namibia part Africa's system of legalized racial dis- Most of the country's 70,000 whites of the German empire . Under Ger- crimination, called apartheid. In the originally came from South Africa and many's colonial rule, the Namibians Afrikaans language, apartheid (pro- are part of that country's ruling Afri- were driven off their ancestral lands and nounced "apart-hate") means separate- kaner group . There is also a small Ger- forced into virtual slavery. Though they ness or apart-ness . Under apartheid man-speaking community left over fought valiantly to defend their land and laws, Blacks and whites must live in from German colonial times . liberty, the Namibians could not match strictly separate and unequal societies . 3 Special Background Feature In Namibia, for example, the new These vital facilities are a crucial part of joined SWAPO's army to end South rulers declared that whites alone would Christian ministry in the territory. Africa's illegal occupation of their own the fertile land and minerals of country. Namibia. Thousands of Black Namibi- During that tragic time, thousands of ans were driven from their homes in the SWAPO? Namibian civilians were killed, tor- newly declared "white" areas by the What's That? tured, or arrested by South African army and police, and forced to live far soldiers for aiding SWAPO . Many from jobs, schools, churches and stores In 1959, a group of Namibians de- people were simply seized by South in Blacks-only ghettos and rural re- cided that the time had come to seek an Africa and taken to secret prisons with- serves. end to the suffering of their people out ever being charged with a crime or Under South Africa's race laws, under South African rule . They soon coming to trial — taken away from their everything in Namibian life is segre- became known as the South West Af- homes and families never to be seen gated — housing, health care, jobs, rica Peoples' Organization (SWAPO), again. even church services. These laws forced a group that sought to bring Namibians Because SWAPO's army received thousands of Namibian husbands and together to work peacefully for free- weapons from the Soviet Union, South fathers to abandon their families in the dom. Africa charged that SWAPO is com- countryside and travel far away to work South Africa responded to these pleas munist. But Namibian church leaders in white areas — living in overcrowded, for liberty with repression: arresting have pointed out that SWAPO turned to men-only barracks that became breed- political leaders; disrupting peaceful the East for aid only after the Western ing grounds for alcoholism, violence marches and meetings ; giving the po- democracies refused to help . They also and despair. Wages for Blacks continue lice vast powers to harass and intimi- note that many SWAPO soldiers are to be a pittance of those paid to whites, date even nonviolent advocates of inde- devout Christians — the children of with the resulting poverty and malnutri- pendence. their congregants — and that worship tion. For all of these reasons, the United services are a regular feature of life in Nations revoked South Africa's right to SWAPO refugee camps and military rule Namibia in 1966 . Five years later, bases. What About Education the World Court ordered South Africa and Health Care? to leave the territory. South Africa re- fused. It was South Africa's failure to Is There Hope To ensure that Black Namibians heed the United Nations that finally for Peace? remained dependent on whites, a spe- drove SWAPO to take up arms to win cial inferior kind of education was independence for the people of Na- In 1978 the United Nations adopted a devised. It is an education designed to mibia — just as America's thirteen plan for peace, free elections and inde- teach only obedience and servitude to American colonies did in 1776 . For pendence in Namibia that is contained the white masters, and to keep Blacks over two decades, young Namibians in Security Council Resolution 435. untrained and ill-equipped to perform The plan calls for a ceasefire between any but the most menial jobs . Under this South African and SWAPO forces, the system, nearly eight times as much withdrawal of South Africa's army, and money is spent on each white student the return of Namibian refugees in time than is spent on Blacks. The shortage of for democratic elections and freedom classrooms, books and teachers in under UN supervision . According to Black schools has resulted in approxi- the plan, however, South Africa will mately only one out of five Black actually conduct the elections, and Namibian children attending school at remain in control of the government all. and police forces even after the UN The same segregation and racial peacekeeping soldiers and monitors imbalance exists in health care, where arrive. government spending on each white Although it was accepted by all sides, patient averages eight times that spent South Africa refused to put the plan into on Blacks. The combination of Black effect for 10 years . It was only in De- poverty and poor health care means that cember 1988, that South Africa allowed Black infants are seven times more the plan to begin . This diplomatic likely to die than white infants, while j breakthrough came after Namibia's a northern neighbor, Angola, agreed to their parents are 50 times more likely to z contract tuberculosis than whites. send home 50,000 Cuban soldiers who Over the years, church schools and were helping to protect Angola from hospitals, supported by European and repeated South African invasions. North American Christians, have pro- Resident of migrant workers' hostel in Katutura UN peacekeepers arrived in Namibia Township, Namibia, studying the Bible . Single-sex vided health care and education to tens compounds like this one are breeding grounds for on April 1 to set the plan into motion, of thousands of Black Namibians. alcoholism and despair. with elections scheduled for Novem- 4 Special Background Feature

:~~~~~ :: u~~:. ..~ .. ber, and independence to follow in 1990. 'ti3si'R;!•:iii':.:: .w--- But there is great concern in Namibia that a decision to make large cuts in the peacekeeping force has left the United Nations too weak to prevent violence and voter fraud.

Have ~amihian Christians Spoken Out? In the face of injustice and suffering, it has fallen to Namibia's Christian churches to bear witness to the horrors of South African rule, and to act as a national voice for reconciliation, jus- tice and independence . Working to- gether as the Council of Churches in Namibia, the country's main Christian churches —Lutheran, Anglican, Ro- man Catholic, and African Methodist Episcopal —have worked and prayed for an end to the war and South African A protester in Katutura Township, Namibia. withdrawal, for an end to racially dis- criminatorylaws and practices, and for vide financial and material aid to the insisted that separation of the races is fair and free elections . Today, in the thousands of Namibians driven into the will of God, and refuses to recog- spring of 1989, the Namibian people are exile by the fighting and South Africa's nize that the resulting poverty, oppres- closer to their goal than ever before. harsh colonial rule. sion, and denial of Black people's But its courageous witness has made human rights is a travesty of all that the Christian church a target for repres- Christians believe to be the will of God. sion.Church leaders have been arrested, Why Should We Care? Christians around the world reject the deported, tortured. Traditional church system of apartheid as contrary to the life in the form of worship services and Why should American Christians be gospel. The Lutheran World Federa- the performance of routine pastoral especially concerned about injustices tion,for example, declared in 1977 that duties has been subject to continual in southern Africa? What about other opposition to apartheid was a matter of harassment. important issues —Central America, status confessionis for all Lutherans ; in The outspoken Lutheran printing for example, or racism, poverty, and 1984 it suspended the white South press in the north was twice "mysteri- hunger right here at home? African and Namibian Lutheran ously" blown up, and the Anglican As Christians we are called to seek an churches from membership for their seminary, church school and hospital in end to suffering and injustice for all of continuing adherence to separation of Odibo were bombed in 1981 . Church God's people. But American Christians the races. The same strong measures workers and their families, including can find several clear reasons for a were taken against the South African the highest leadership, have been rou- particular concern about Namibia. and Namibian Dutch Reformed tinelydetained, terrorized, tortured and One reason is that South Africa's churches by the World Alliance of even killed by the South African police. legalized racism makes this a special Reformed Churches in 1982, after that kind of oppression to Americans who body had also declared apartheid a have themselves endured the agonies of heresy. And the Worldwide racism, and are struggling for equality Many other denominations have Church? of opportunity and justice for all — made similar powerful condemnations irrespective of color or creed. of apartheid and taken important steps In response to the appeals of the Anotherreason for Christian involve- to support its victims and opponents. Namibian churches for prayers, action mentwith Namibia is that the injustices and advocacy in support of peace and inflicted on Namibian and South Afri- freedom in Namibia, almost every na- can Blacks are done in the name of But Won't the tionand denomination in the world has Jesus Christ. South Africa's white rul- Communists Take Over? condemned South Africa's continuing ersprofess to bedevout Christians, and hold on Namibia, and its gross violation insist that the system of apartheid is It is important to recognize that for of human rights. Many religious groups based on Scripture. South Africa's over 100 years, the Namibian people and humanitarian organizations in the Dutch Reformed Church, the main have struggled and sacrificed for their United States, Canada and Europe pro- denomination of the ruling whites, has freedom. They have not endured the 5 Special Background Feature allowed to determine their own destiny through free, fair and internationally supervised elections.

What Can We Do?

Christians the world over are mobi- lizing to support free elections, recon- ciliation and independence in Namibia. Many American Christians, especially, because of their deep historical and spiritual ties with their Namibian part- ners, will be deeply involved. Representatives from the United Nations and church groups throughout the world have been evaluating and assessing with Namibian leaders what a successful transition to independence will require. What needs will there be? What must the world community do? Women at 1987 May Day rally. Support for the Namibian independence movement SWAPO is strong. Perhaps the greatest task facing the transition leadership is preparation for agony of war and repression on behalf churches have provided humanitarian welcoming home and resettling ap- of any other country — Eastern or assistance — food, clothing, school- proximately 75,000 Namibians who Western. The largest political group in books and medicines — to SWAPO have lived in exile . This will call for a Namibia, the refugees in neighboring countries who huge number of services such as hous- Peoples' Organization, is not a political have fled their homes to escape the ing, transportation, food and water, job party with a fixed ideology, but a libera- terror of South African rule. Both East- training and search, pastoral and psy- tion movement open to Namibians of em and Western governments and non- chological counseling, health care, and all political and religious persuasions governmental groups have provided a vast array of other needs associated who oppose South Africa's colonial scholarships, technical training and with the resettlement of literally one of rule. educational opportunities to SWAPO every 20 Namibians. SWAPO counts among its members students preparing to meet the chal- For all persons concerned about the Lutherans, Catholics, Anglicans and lenges of freedom. success of this process, it is a time to be Methodists, Black people and white Namibia's Christian churches, like clear about the resources that will be people, men and women, the very our own, support no political parties or required. Namibian churches will re- young and the very old. secular ideologies. But they defend quire massive financial assistance . Now Support for Namibians in their SWAPO against accusations of com- is the time to develop fund-raising struggle has come from every part of the munism because SWAPO has made strategies to help meet those needs. globe, and taken every form . Many only one demand — that Namibians be Now, also, is the time to be vigilant, because South Africa has broken past promises to free Namibia. Alert your Resources elected officials about the need for Contact your regional and national church offices for resources on Namibia. Western support of free and fair elec- You may also wish to contact the following southern Africa resource groups: tions in Namibia. Write letters of sup- port to Namibian church leaders, re- minding them that we continue to pray National Namibia Concerns The Africa Fund for and support them . Keep abreast of 915 E . 9th Avenue 198 Broadway events in southern Africa . To this day, Denver, CO 80218 New York, NY 10038 most Americans do not even know there (303) 830-2774 (212) 962-1210 is a Namibia. You can help change this by your concern. Through work and The Washington Office on Africa Episcopal Churchpeople for prayer, and in partnership with Na- 110 Maryland Avenue a Free Southern Africa mibia's church leaders, we can help to Washington, DC 20002 339 Lafayette St. assure that our Namibian sisters and New York, NY 10012 (202) 546-7961 brothers will at last reach the goal of (212) 477-0066 their long journey toward freedom. 6 Inside Namibia continued from page 1 and Catholic church parishes, and human rights activists in the war zone How Did This Tragedy Happen? have been flooded with charges of A report by the United Nations, and human rights abuses and intimidation statements by the United States govern- of civilians by the South African army ment,supported South Africa's charges and police. that heavily armed SWAPO soldiers The most serious allegations focus crossed the border in large numbers on evidence that South African soldiers after a UN ceasefire went into effect — executed SWAPO prisoners of war . The aclear breach of the independence plan. charges were first made by a respected In the United States, press and televi- Namibian human rights attorney, David sionreports focused blame for the crisis Smuts, who reported that a suspiciously almost entirely on the SWAPO leader, low number of SWAPO fighters, in- Sam Nujoma. cluding the wounded, had been cap- But Namibia's Christian church lead- tured inthe fighting . Several days later ers tell a different story. Investigators a conservative British newspaper pub- forthe ecumenical Council of Churches lished photos of slain SWAPO mem- in Namibia, whose members represent bersshot inthe head at close range . The over 900,000 Christians, found that the photos were later broadcast by the U.S. first shots were fired by South African television program, South Africa Now, U forces at a group of SWAPO soldiers creating an uproar in South Africa and who were seeking to surrender them- forcing the authorities to announce an selves to United Nations Transition investigation of the atrocity charges. Assistance Group (UNTAG) soldiers Other reports have documented as- in accordance with the UN peace plan, saults on SWAPO supporters by the Security Council Resolution 435. army and police . In an April 121etter to The horror of war . Bodies of Namibians killed by Captured SWAPO fighters told UN South African authorities in Namibia, South African forces being dumped into mass grave. investigators that their orders were to Catholic leaders charged South African Over 300 people have died since the UN peace plan locate UNTAG monitors and place forces with "continuing intimidation began on April 1. themselves under UN control . They and harassment of the Namibian were not to shoot at South African army people." tance of genuine impartiality for the and police forces unless attacked. These ultimate success of free elections and orders applied to all SWAPO soldiers in independence in Namibia . Long years The Uncertain Future Namibia, both those who crossed the of war and oppression have left deep border from Angola and those already According to Namibian church lead- divisions among Namibians. Mistakes in Namibia before the ceasefire took ers, the tragic beginning of the UN are certain to be made on all sides as the effect. independence plan underscores the various parties seek political advantage Eyewitnesses to the fighting con- dangers that lie ahead for Namibia and in the coming elections. Church leaders firmed SWAPO's peaceful intentions, its people over the coming year . They fear that the one-sided focus on reporting that SWAPO soldiers were have appealed to the United Nations SWAPO has obscured serious viola- searching for UNTAG members when Security Council to reverse its decision tions by South Africa as well . They they were ambushed by South African to cut the size of the UNTAG force, and remind us that SWAPO fighters are forces. rush more peacekeepers to the territory themselves Namibians, fighting for the to restore peace . They have called on freedom of their country as Americans the UN to return South African forces to fought British rule 200 years ago. Human Rights Abuses base in accordance with Resolution Church leaders point out that if 435, and take strong action to prevent Compassionate and Costly Love United Nations personnel had been in political violence and intimidation on the area as planned, they would have all sides. Most of all, Namibian Christians discovered SWAPO's nonviolent pur- The churches have expressed dismay have appealed to their brothers and sis- pose and prevented or minimized the at statements of support for South Af- ters around the world for prayer and violence that took so many young lives. ricafrom Western governments and the material support in this moment of kai- Church leaders also question the United Nations . They ask Americans to ros. In adesperate appeal to the world, United Nations' decision to endorse the remember that South Africa's presence the leaders of Namibia's Christian use of South African troops against in Namibia was ruled illegal by the churches called for "compassionate and SWAPO forces . They point out that World Court nearly two decades ago, costly love to be expended in forgive- some of the South African forces used and that it is South African defiance of ness, prayer and reconciliation by all in the fighting are notorious for human international law —not SWAPO's — people throughout the nations of the rights abuses and attacks on civilians. thatlies atthe root of the present crisis. world to save Namibia from the brink of Since April 1, Lutheran, Anglican They have also stressed the impor- destruction." 7

Advocacy

mWt ..Cmvva4{itlo: .<+ !000•'+1Mti ' : .: A South African army convoy in northern Namibia . The threatening presence of the occupation army is a daily reality for the people.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP Write Letters to your elected representatives in Washington . Express your concern about Namibia and urge them to work for genuinely free and democratic elections . Stay Informed. Contact the organizations listed below for information about Namibia and urge local television stations and newspapers to provide adequate and accurate reporting of current events . Collect Money for Namibian refugees and church-supported health, education and social services. Support scholarship funds for Namibian students. Invite Namibians to speak at your church or school. Educate Others. Organize conferences and meet- ings about Namibia in your community . Show films and videotapes to help raise the consciousness of others. Lift Up the cause of Namibia in your prayers, privately and in your congregation.

Namibian Christians need to Political leaders need to know of know you care. Write: your concern. Write: Audio-Visual Resources "Namibia: No Easy Road to Free- Dr. Abisai Shejavali, General Secretary President George Bush dom. " 57-minute videotape on Na- Council of Churches in Namibia The White House mibia produced by independent film P.O. Box 41, , 9000 Washington, DC 20500 maker. Study guide included. South West Africa/Namibia (Rental Code No. AV-6830) The Honorable "Broken for You : The Body of Bishop James Kauluma United States Senate Christ in Southern Africa." 25-min- Anglican Church — Diocese of Washington, DC 20510 ute video collage of sermons and Namibia speeches by Desmond Tutu, T. P.O. Box 576, Windhoek 9000 The Honorable Simon Farisani, Zephania Kameeta Southwest Africa/Namibia House of Representatives and Wolfram Kistner. Brief study Washington, DC 20515 guide. Produced by the Evangelical Bishop Kleopas Dumeni Lutheran Church in America. Evangelical Lutheran Church in His Excellency Javier Perez de Cuellar (Rental Code No . AV-1200) Namibia Secretary General Order from ELCA Distribution Oniipa, Private Bag 2018 The United Nations Service, 426 S. Fifth St., Box 1209, Ondangwa 9000 New York, NY 10017 Minneapolis, MN 55440 ; 800/328- South West Africa/Namibia 4648. Be sure to include code num- bers listed above. "South Africa Now." Weekly tele- vision program featuring news, Dateline :Namibia is published by The Africa Fund and the Namibia Christian Communications Trust in partnership with The Episcopal Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. background reports and cultural Also distributed by the National Council of Churches, the Women's Division, United Methodist events from southern Africa . Check Church, National Namibia Concerns and others. your local TV listings for availabil- Editors : Michael D . Fleshman, Anne Leo Ellis ; contributing editor : John A. Evenson . Please address ity or write The Africa Fund for correspondence to Dateline :Namibia, c/o The Africa Fund, 198 Broadway, New York, NY 10038. information. 01989 The Africa Fund Printed in U .S.A 69-2528