An Interview with Bishop James Kauluma Friendship to the Racist Government of South Africa

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Editorial 1k.m i In a recent meeting Bishop Kleopas Dumeni, leader of the Evangelical Lutheran Ovambokavango Church, said that the continued bloodshed of the Namibian people is now the responsibility of two persons, Prime Minister P . W. Botha of South Africa and President Ronald Reagan of the United States. The addition of the American president's name would have been unheard of even one year ago . But the sad fact is that Namibians see the U .S. government policy of "constructive engagement" with South Africa as supporting the brutal occupation of Namibia. And their analysis is far from wrong. Lutherans worship in a Namibian refugee camp The U.S. government has recently allowed the sending of electric shock batons, aircraft with military capability, Church Leaders sophisticated computers, military advisors and attaches — and open signs of cordial An Interview with Bishop James Kauluma friendship to the racist government of South Africa. And now the Reagan administration has added a new condition Earlier this year, the editor of Dateline :Namibia met with the Right Reverend James to South African withdrawal from Kauluma, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Namibia . Bishop Kauluma is the first Namibia — the removal of Cuban troops Namibian to hold this position, to which he was elected following the resignation of from Angola, an independent country Colin O'Brien Winter in 1981 . (see Dateline :Namibia No. 2) The following is north of Namibia that South Africa daily excerpted from that interview with this eloquent and forthright leader of the Anglican invades with its troops and mercenaries. church. The Namibian churches have asked for an end to bloodshed and occupation. They see independence as a God-given Q: Perhaps you can tell us a little bit about Namibia and about yourself. right. They want to choose their own government and bring human rights and A: I was born in the northern region of Namibia, which is referred to as Ovamboland . I justice to their daily life. grew up looking after my father's cattle . My father was not a Christian . He was a Why, then, has the United States gov- polygamist and I grew up among many mothers as well as my brothers and sisters, ernment chosen to impose the East-West about twenty-seven children of Kauluma . After looking after my father's cattle and conflict on the people of Namibia? other animals, I decided to go to the Anglican mission school . That was in 1950, and it Christians in North America want was during that time that I decided to become a Christian . I was baptized in 1951 and human rights and justice for their brothers confirmed in 1952. and sisters in southern Africa — Namibia, In 1953, I left the northern region and went to work under contract in the southern Angola and South Africa itself. Though part of the country where I was, well, they called me houseboy but I think I was grown South Africa boldly proclaims it is a Chris- up enough to be called houseman . That is the practice in Namibia — that no black will tian democratic capitalistic country, it is be treated as really grown up the very antithesis of all those adjectives. . Even a gray-headed man can be called a boy by a small Though South Africa self-righteously pro- white child . After I finished my first contract, I went back home until 1955, when I claims it is fighting godless communism, in went to work on contract to the diamond mines. fact its godless practices are dangerously After that, I went to Pretoria, South Africa, where I was studying in a Bible school . I close to terrorizing people into thinking completed two years of Bible studies and then I went back to the mines in Namibia. At that communism may be their only choice the same time, I was also holding some religious classes for the men who work in the for freedom. mine, holding Bible studies in the evening. We had a lot of blessings during that time, a The United States government is sup- lot of people who did turn to faith and to the church . Most of these people also come porting all that should be understood as from the north on contract . They leave their families behind and then they come to the intolerable and anathema to freedom- mines for a long period. loving people. It is very understandable for Bishop Dumeni to say with great Q: Aren't they allowed to take their families with them? sorrow that the bloodshed of his suffering people is now the responsibility of two A: At that time they were not, and even today it is nearly impossible for the workers to men, Ronald Reagan and P . W. Botha. bring their wives to the south. Interview continued An Interview with Bishop James Kauluma

Q: The area that you came from and did your early studies in is what the South Africans like to refer to as a "homeland," isn't it? A: Yes. The whole region in the north is considered as an ethnic region of the Ovambo people . That is also where the majority of the population of Namibia lives. It's the same region which is now covered by martial law curfew. Because of the war, people are not allowed to move outdoors after sunset until sunup again in the following day . It's a very very unfortunate kind of difficult situation that people are placed under. Bishop James Kauluma

Q: What is the cause of the war? elements which the war itself has created . There seem to be A: The war's going on because South Africa is not giving some people who have become enemies of the church . Just a independence to Namibia. I believe if South Africa comes to year ago, the Lutheran church in Ovamboland lost its printing the point where they say, "Let us settle this," and they agree to press which was bombed by unknown persons . Also last year, the UN plan, a cease-fire will be signed and an election will be our Anglican diocese and seminary buildings at Odibo were called and Namibia will become independent and the war will blown up in the same fashion . So we can say there are great effects upon the church's work as well as the church's property. be over. Some say it's not as simple as that, but this is the fact of the matter. This war is going on because the people of Namibia have not been given the opportunity to become independent as Q: Who would want to do this kind of thing to the church? a nation. Why would someone want to bomb a church printing press or a seminary? Q: If South African troops would leave, would the killing stop? A: Possibly someone who doesn't like the position of the A: Definitely . Yes. church and the prophetic message which the church proclaims in the midst of this difficult period . We did ask the South Q: There's a massive military buildup of South African soldiers African authorities to conduct a thorough investigation . That in the north of Namibia and there are Namibians who are in- didn't happen. volved in an attempt to rid the country of the South African Q: Have any of your church services been disrupted or the soldiers. What does the war mean to the people of the north and what does it mean to the churches? work of your priests been disrupted in any way by this war situation? A: The war is the source of suffering and death taking place in A: Definitely the church work is being hindered and affected. the country. It has brought certain laws which place the whole We are prevented in some areas from carrying out the region of the north under curfew, which brings hardship upon spreading of the Gospel. One of our archdeacons, Philip the people. For instance, if one moves outdoors in the night, Shilongo, was detained twice by the South African police and you will be shot if the soldiers see you . If it happens that one member of your family got seriously sick during the night, you he was placed under conditions where he must report weekly to the police. And of course it is not only our church leaders. cannot take that person to hospital because the curfew law says There are church leaders or clergymen within the Lutheran you should not move outdoors . These laws also empower the church who are still required to report to the police under those police or the army to act in any manner . The people have had same conditions. to be subjected to individual army members who may make a decision about your life on the spot if he suspects you. Q: What crime did the authorities charge Archdeacon Shilongo Sometimes people are pushed and beaten in the process. Sometimes your home might be burnt down or your crops may with having committed? be burnt down . This has happened. A: He was never required to come to court . The legal system allows people to be detained and not appear in a court. Q: So if some of the independence fighters move through an area, then you are immediately suspected by the South African Q: The authorities have the legal right to put a person in prison army of being a fighter or a helper? for no stated reasons at all? A: There are individuals who have lost their homes and crops as A: Yes, until they are satisfied. a result of that . And also indiscriminate firing, which sometimes the army does. Firing simply in any direction on people's Q: Do you know of any crime that your archdeacon has homes. This is happening in the area in the north and is committed? definitely creating hardship upon the people . It is the prayer of the Namibian people that this senseless killing should be ended. A: No, I don't think he's a criminal, anyway . He's a fine pastor. A fine leader who is simply carrying out his church work and trying to give all the pastoral care to his people . He's no Q: What has this done to the work of the church? criminal. A: Not only the Anglican church but all the churches are suffering as a result of this war . Some hospitals, parishes, clinics Q: It is quite baffling to us when we hear of church leaders and and schools have been destroyed completely and people have pastors put in prison or restricted while South Africa tells us had to be moved out and resettled. Also, of course, there are that they are a Christian country. Can you comment on South 2 African Christianity and what it is that they feel they are doing back and serve the community . They have three or four in God's will? Lutheran pastors who just finished their training in Tanzania in one of the seminaries, and these people are going back to work A: Well, I think that is one of our problems . We are saying to South Africa, "You are Christian brothers and you shouldn't with the exiled community as pastors . There, baptisms are do this, because we believe all these practices are contrary to taking place, confirmations are taking place, marriages are taking place. I just don't believe that these people fit the labels Christian teaching and to the Gospel of Jesus Christ which calls of communist or Marxist . I'm not defending the movement . I'm people together; which calls for peace and justice and human just stating the facts. We are very much in disagreement with respect — regardless of one's color ." It is a contradiction to those who give all these labels . Furthermore, this only comes claim to be a Christian country and still hold to these kinds of from those who are against the movement and against these practices, which are contrary to the Christian teaching. If we people. It does not come from any other quarter . We don't profess to be Christians, we should not only say that with our mouths, but also with our living . About seventy or eighty understand why the world continues to drag its feet instead of percent of our people are Christians. And as Christians the helping Namibian people to gain independence . This is our Namibian people believe that a system like apartheid, which prayer and hope that this should come. divides people on the basis of color, just has no place in a Q: What can people in North America and Europe do to assist Christian society. you as a church leader in Namibia, and assist peace to come? We stand on Christian principles and the heart of the Gospel of Christ, which states that all people are children of God, A: There are many ways in which people can help . The people regardless of their color, creed or culture . They are children of of America and any other Western countries can help by God and they believe in the universal fatherhood of God, and making their concern about our situation known to their gov- the brotherhood and sisterhood of man. Therefore, there ernments and communicate this to those directly negotiating a should be no dividing people on the basis of their color . That is settlement in Namibia. There are other areas in the process one of the problems that the people in Namibia have as we have where people might help . We have many Namibians who are been talking about Ovamboland being a sort of separate region now scattered in different areas of the world . It would be in which some autonomy is given separately from the whole appreciated if those who have financial means in terms of country. scholarship and other assistance, humanitarian assistance, can assist with these people . Many of the youngest never had the Q: So it is not only the whites being separated from the blacks opportunity to have education . I think that will be a great help, but Africans being separated from fellow Africans? and the churches in Namibia will be appreciative to anyone who is assisting in these areas. Also, through the Council of A: That is happening even in locations, the townships where blacks live. They don't live in the same town with whites Churches in Namibia we have a humanitarian aid fund and a . But diaconical fund which enables the churches to respond to even locations are built in sections . The one section is for victims of the war situation . All this will be definitely contribut- Herero; one is for Damara ; one is for Ovambo, and so on . The ing to the comfort of the affected people of Namibia. whole structure is a divisive one which we believe is contrary to the Christian teaching where people are all children of God and Q: A final question. After all the years of oppression and must be united. That is part of the question of independence. domination by whites who have called themselves Christians, That is just what we believe . As any other countries are in- who have done things to the Namibians that are almost un- dependent, Namibians are entitled to their godly given right to speakable, how is it that the Namibian people can still be be free, to be independent as a nation. For many years we have Christian and feel that Jesus Christ is the object of their been under the administration of South Africa and I think it is salvation? How can they still believe in Jesus Christ? because of that, that today Namibia is in a state of war—because the people just want to be independent. A: That depends very much on how seriously a person takes his confession and his faith and his belief in Jesus Christ . The Q: One of the things we hear quite a bit about is that the people Christian people of Namibia see the church and Christ as the who are fighting for Namibian freedom are Marxist terrorists source of life and power, strength and encouragement, and godless communists and it's only through South Africa that especially in this difficult time facing the country and the a Christian civilization can be preserved in Namibia . Is this church. You will find that on Sunday they're worshiping . One true? would think they would be preoccupied with their own problems created by the war, but you'll find them praying and A: Well, we hear all these allegations, but we know some of giving thanks to God . You will find churches full of young these people who are fighting in the bush . We believe they are people singing joyous and uplifting songs . The people don't responding to an intolerable situation . They came out of seem to find any room for giving up their true commitment to Namibian society, which is a Christian society . Either they are Christ and to his church just because someone else is failing to Roman Catholics, or Lutherans, or Methodist, or Anglicans or live up to that kind of commitment . Therefore they continue. another denomination in Namibia . We believe these people have respect for the church, and therefore we are not in agreement with those people who carry on, labeling these Advocacy for Namibia people as communist or Marxist . The South West Africa Your prayers and letters of support are People's Organization (SWAPO), which is fighting against the invited for Namibian church leaders . In South African army, has a chaplaincy service in the movement each issue we will indicate different itself. This is something those who claim that the movement is persons in Namibia who would be grateful communistic or Marxist are not prepared to reveal. to hear from North Americans who share their hope for freedom: Q: You mean, within the freedom movement there's a chaplaincy program? Bishop James Kauluma P.O. Box 57 A: There are three Anglican priests, some of whom fled with Windhoek, Namibia 9000 the refugees . One was sent by the movement to study and come 3 Events Inside Namibia Current Situation in Namibia

Printing Press Rededicated in Namibia Bishop Dumeni Speaks to the Finnish Missionary Society, November 26, 1982

The year 1982 is nearing its end and will soon be history. Yet the people of Namibia are languishing under the un- ending severe conditions of war and untold sufferings . In spite of all the talks and speculations on an impending settlement to the decades-old search and struggle for self-determination and national independence for our country, no sign of an immediate solution is in sight. Blood still flows as the ever escalating and destructive war continues to claim the lives of more and more innocent victims, and surges ahead totally disregarding any Rededication of Lutheran printing press at Oniipa sovereign borders or the values of human life, aspiration or property . The Cuban (The following article was translated from Bishop Dumeni gave thanks for the issue in Angola and its linkage to the Omukwetu, the newspaper of the unity of Christians throughout the world Namibian independence dispute has been Evangelical Lutheran Ovambokavango that enabled the printing press to be cunningly devised or invented to delay Church. It appeared in June 1982 . The rebuilt again . ELOC members built the implementation of United Nations original title was "The Way of the together with other churches; and Security Council Resolution 435 — at Church Goes through Gethsemane .") congregations and friends built together least for the time being — thus, once with ELOC. They were persecuted again denying the Namibian people the together. They carried heavy burdens of inalienable right to elect their political "The way of the church is through pain together with ELOC. All who helped leaders properly and democratically. Gethsemane . The church's destination of — openly or secretly — to build the press, However, just like the Council of victory and rejoicing is preceded by were tools in God's hands. Churches in Namibia, we continue to difficulties, persecution, hate and carrying hold on firmly to the view that the way the yoke of pain until death. But the end out of this unfortunate situation lies only of all this is victory ." That was the —"Thanks for the unity of Chris- in the implementation of Resolution 435. message of ELOC's bishop, Dr . Kleopas tians throughout the world..." Any proposed reformation of the existing Dumeni, in his opening address at the re- National Assembly or any other planned dedication of the printing press in Oniipa attempt by any group to bypass the on June 6, 1982. The honorable guests from Lutheran United Nations will only prolong the An estimated one to two thousand churches and other denominations were suffering and bloodshed — as it has done Christians came from different congrega- presented and gave their greetings . The already. For these reasons, we of the tions in the four dioceses of ELOC, as Reverend Matti Koponen represented the churches in Namibia call upon all those well as from other churches in the whole Finnish Missionary Society . He was also responsible for this tragedy to heed the country. The printing press of the church one of the major speakers at the celebra- prophetic voice of the church . We are was bombed on November 19, 1980, tion. The Lutheran World Federation gravely concerned to see that the settle- destroying all tools and equipment . This was represented by Mr. 011e Eriksson. ment proposals are bogged down with the is the second time it has been rebuilt. The The church in Cape Town, South Africa, unrelated linkage of the Cuban presence first destruction was on May 11, 1973. was represented by Bishop Christoph within the Republic of Angola, and the The press reopened on May 11, 1975. Brandt and the secretary general of the The investigation of the police in both Lutheran Church in South Africa, the bombings did not provide any reliable Reverend Mervyn D . Assur. Representa- evidence . During the last investigation, tives from the internal churches were the Administrator General of South West from the Roman Catholic church, the Africa stated in his report that the police Anglican church and the Ashocarte and defense force did not know what had Baptist Church. Other churches that were happened in the area until the chance for not able to be present sent letters, tele- a thorough investigation was over . A grams or telexes . Many individual grudging spirit, anger or curiosity as to messages were also received . The main who caused this atrocity was not sensed idea common to all the messages was that among the members of the congregations the church should continue to profess on the day of the celebration. They only Christ without fear in using the new sang songs of praise . Praising God, they printing press . The rebuilt Lutheran printing press at Oniipa rejoiced to see the printing press standing once more. 4 argument over the proposed electoral Current Situation in Namibia system. All in all, the settlement is urgently needed in order to prevent further escalation of the war . Our people Lutheran Women Concerned are yearning for peace, freedom and independence of the country of their birth. About Daily Survival The war situation is hindering us from carrying out our tasks and duties properly (The following article was translated from and promptly as we would like to . Never- Omukwetu, the newspaper of the theless, Christians are enthusiastic and Evangelical Lutheran Ovambokavango eager to serve their Lord, despite all the Church. It appeared October 30, 1982 harassment and intimidation . Our and was titled "What Do We Do to churches are always full to their capacity Survive in This Economy?") Women and children at Lutheran baptismal service — in fact, overcrowded — on Sundays. in camp for Namibian refugees But because of the severe inflation we are living with financial problems. The The political situation in this country for yourself. Try to put your extra cash in worsening economic conditions make it makes one think negotiations regarding the bank. It will come in handy in hard increasingly hard for our church workers independence for our country have been times—during times of drought, for to make ends meet. Nevertheless, many in vain. As the political situation deteri- example—when you would need the of our parishes are working hard to orates, so does the economy . More men money to buy food for your family. achieve self-reliance in financial matters. and women are losing their jobs every "Since the political situation in this Every year the number of those parishes month, the money value has gone down country is not in our favor, it is up to us that succeed in managing their financial and essential commodities are becoming to make our lives more bearable with a obligation without any outside assistance more expensive every day . The Lutheran little imagination and hard work ." is growing. Even in southern Angola the women of Ondonga, northern Namibia, work of the Lord is progressing fairly are deeply concerned . They recently came well, despite the war of destruction that is together and wrote a letter to Pastor being waged there. Matias Nghipandulwa to ask for his Furthermore, we feel indebted to our advice. This is what he had to say: South African Army Again Lutheran brethren and sisters all over the "In a way, we the people who live in Surrounds Worship Service world for their always prompt response to this part of the country could be con- our appeals for help and assistance . I have sidered lucky because to a certain extent Special to Dateline :Namibia in mind, here, our printing press and we can grow our own food . Let us try not It was Mission Festival time in the recently our appeal for help in medicine to depend too much on things (especially Oukwanyama area of northern Namibia. supplies on behalf of the Lutheran foodstuffs) bought from the store . Let us Starting on Friday, September 2, and Medical Mission . The generous response rear chickens, goats, pigs, and cattle as is ending on Sunday, September S, Chris- we always receive is overwhelming and, our tradition . Let us grow corn, tians from parishes all over the region quite frankly, a very clear demonstration pumpkins, beans and other vegetables. came to study the Scriptures, pray and of our Christian love and unity — not "It is true that we need more than sing together the wonderful and hopeful only in words but also in concrete actions. growing our own food to survive. We songs of the Christian faith . On Sunday, May God bless you all very richly, for He need money, too. Already there are a the bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran is rich. number of people growing their own food Ovambokavango Church led a large out- In conclusion, I would like to point out and selling the surplus to their neighbors. door worship service with more than that even during this year of 1982 we This is indeed good . Say, for example, you 1000 men, women and children sitting on have been and still are experiencing the have more chickens than your family the sand. Then, as so often happens in biblical truth that "God is our shelter and needs. You can sell some of the chickens occupied Namibia, the army vehicles strength, always ready to help in times of to your neighbors. The money you get came. First, two of the giant armored troubles" (Psalm 46:2), as our watchword from these transactions may not be trucks with their heavy diesel engines for this year states . Indeed, "If God is for enough to open a savings account, but it drove close to the worship area . Out came us, who can be against us" (Romans would be enough to buy you a month's the South African troops with guns 8:31-32) . supply of sugar, salt or other necessities drawn. Following them came cars of the you cannot grow on your own. South African police . The troops and "There are those of us who think police, thirty to forty in all, stationed European things are always best. If you themselves around the congregation . The think that way you have been misin- worshipers tried to continue through all formed. Instead of going to the store to the noise of trucks and movement of buy rice, try growing omahangu (millet). troops. The South African soldiers It has the same nutritional value as rice, walked around the perimeter of the only it is more economical because not crowd, stooping as though they were only can you use it in the same way you searching for footprints . The Namibians use rice, you can also make drinks and wondered what special footprints the bread out of it. And then if you have soldiers expected to find in an area where more than your family needs you can sell 1000 people had been walking. After some of it. about an hour of intimidating presence, "If there is anything you can do with the troops moved back to their trucks and your hands—for example, weaving drove on. It was another Sunday in baskets—do it and make a little money Namibia. 5 Commentary Africa that its soldiers should leave Angola, then there is no need for Cubans." Support Letters The pre-condition of Cuban withdraw- U .S . Policy Change in al is the main stumbling block in the Received in Namibia! South Africa's Favor negotiations for Namibian independence. The South West Africa People's Organi- zation, Namibia's independence party, The negotiations for Namibian inde- has agreed to all conditions for a ceasefire. pendence have stalled because of the new It is waiting for South Africa to choose (The f ollowing article was translated f rom requirement introduced this year by the the election process and to agree to that Omukwetu, the newspaper of the United States government. ceasefire so that the United Nations Evangelical Lutheran Ovambokavango supervised election can take place. Church. It appeared April 30, 1982, In his November, 1982, trip to Africa, "The Namibian people see that this pp.3,8. The original title was "In Vice-President George Bush stated that Cuban issue is one the American govern- America They Reveal Sympathy .") Namibian independence could not come about until Cuban troops leave Angola, ment has handed over to South Africa," the country immediately to the north of said Dumeni. "Our people believe that the Namibia. This new condition for U.S. government has the power to Many churches in America and Namibian independence was quietly persuade the South African government Canada are showing sympathy to the added by the United States to the negotia- to come to ceasefire and UN-supervised nation of Namibia which is oppressed by elections," he continued . "But we see that tions early in 1982 and now has been .S.-South African government rela- the yoke of war . The sympathy is re- eagerly accepted by South Africa. the U vealed in the messages reaching the tionship is very important to them, rather Evangelical Lutheran Ovambokavango Since it is unlikely that Angola will ask than the suffering people of Namibia ." Church (ELOC) head office all the time. the Cubans to leave their country, South Dumeni says that Namibians are now We are informing you that there are Africa now has an easy excuse to con- bitter towards the United States govern- many people in America who have tinue its illegal occupation of Namibia. ment. "We know who holds the keys to feelings of responsibility for those who Some 18,000 Cuban troops are serving 300 this matter," he said . "It is Botha [Prime are in torture and under oppressive miles north of the Namibian-Angolan Minister of South Africa] and President governments in the world . This is border at the request of the Angolan gov- Reagan. They have the power . The revealed in one of the many letters sent to ernment. These Cuban troops first came bloodshed of my people is now their FLOC this year . Written by Trinity to Angola in 197 S to help the Angolan responsibility. Lutheran Church in America, the letter government respond to a South African "We do see the effort to solidarity and was accompanied by a copy of a letter to invasion of the former Portuguese action from the Christians of North their president, Ronald Reagan . The colony. They remain in Angola at America. I have received many letters, letter of this congregation reprimanded Angolan government request protecting copies of what they have written to their government leader. They told him the capital and, among other things, the Congress . But," said Dumeni, "we cannot that his own statements and his Gulf corporation oil fields from South avoid what we have seen the U.S . govern- government's response to the Polish African invasion. ment doing . All what we want is an end crisis, while at the same time keeping "We cannot understand this new pre- to bloodshed ." quiet about the atrocities done in condition," said Bishop Dumeni of "If I am an Angolan," said Dumeni, Namibia, are hypocritical. Namibia. "The Cubans are not in "the U .S. tells me `Please, those that Some difficult questions that appeared Namibia, they are in Angola, another defend you, they must go away. And in the letter, and called on the President country ." Compounding this, says those that hate and kill you, they must to answer, are the following : Should we Dumeni, is the reality of South Africa's remain .' " keep quiet while a friendly country is constant invasion of southern Angola. Namibians and Angolans logically con- illegally occupying Namibia and perform- "The South African army is in Angola. clude that the United States government ing notorious actions? Should we keep To tell Angola that the Cubans should be supports South Africa's presence in quiet while a single country is trampling leaving — we do not understand . Why Namibia and Angola . And that is a very United Nations laws and following her doesn't the United States tell South difficult thing for them to understand. own policy of destroying the whole human being and that person's dignity? The President of the United States was asked to give more information as to how he will help solve Namibia's problem . The congregation also asked if the President is fully cooperating with the United Nations to put pressure on the South African "Our people are yearning for government to accept a free and fair election. The letter was signed by 37 people, peace, freedom, and independence among them bishops, pastors and par- ishioners. From 1980 to March 1982, the of the country of their birth." ELOC office received 157 letters from Bishop Kleopas Dumeni churches in America, in which they show sympathy to all fellow Christians in Namibia because of the difficulties in our country. Commentary The convention reaffirmed that The American Lutheran Church "1) urge the Republic of South Africa immediately to Lutherans in North America agree to the proposals of the UNSC Resolution 435, and cooperate in the Call for Solidarity organization of internationally supervised elections in Namibia ; 2) urge the President and Congress of these United In word and deed, 1982 has been a In response to the convention's strong States of America to cooperate with the watershed in Lutheran witness for justice conviction that direct action is in order at United Nations in bringing pressure to and human dignity in southern Africa . In this time, the church's Executive Council bear on the Republic of South Africa, response to the suffering of Namibian was instructed to direct the Office of Ad- without further delay, for compliance Christians and the appeals of the ministration and Finance "to exercise the with UNSC Resolution 435, including the Namibian churches, the Lutheran option of divestment of securities of application of whatever economic or Church in America, The American corporations which have direct invest- other sanctions may be necessary; and 3) Lutheran Church, and the Association of ments in South Africa and the withdraw- urge all congregations of The American Evangelical Lutheran Churches have all al of funds from banks which make direct Lutheran Church, through their councils affirmed opposition to the brutal South loans to the government or para-statal and social action committees, and by African system of apartheid, issued agencies in South Africa ." every other possible means, to sponsor renewed calls for solidarity with the Concerning Zimbabwe, the convention and organize an intensive lobbying church in South Africa and Namibia, and called upon "the governments of the campaign with their congressmen and pledged to work for greater United States United States and Canada to support . . . congresswomen to `conscientize' both our government action in achieving inde- the efforts of the government of president and our Congress on this pendence for Namibia. Zimbabwe to recover from the long war matter." for independence and develop fully its resources as a nation." Lutheran Church in America The convention urged the church to Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches The Lutheran Church in America, at "call upon the governments of the United States and Canada to implement At its April 1978 conference, the its Eleventh Biennial Convention in economic and diplomatic sanctions Louisville, Kentucky, September 3-10, AELC passed a "Response to Injustice against the Republic of South Africa, and and Apartheid in South Africa," stating 1982, called for "the end of the occupa- to support, join and encourage other tion of Namibia by the government of "1) That the Association of Evangelical United Nations members also to Lutheran Churches declares its solidarity South Africa in violation of international implement these sanctions ." with the people and those churches of law, and of the continual and brutal The American Lutheran Church South Africa that have joined the struggle suppression of human rights of for majority rule; 2) That the . . .(AELC) Namibians ." The convention also urged The American Lutheran Church, asks it member congregations to do on- "the governments of the United States meeting in San Diego at the same time going study and to work on issues con- and Canada to be vigorous in their that the LCA met in Louisville, re- cerning justice in South Africa and to pursuit of genuine political self- affirmed the resolutions on southern report these efforts to the Association determination for the people of Namibia, ; 3) Africa that it had passed at its 1980 con- That the national office of the . . .(AELC) according to the terms of the United vention. Concerning Namibia, the ALC refuses to do business with any financial Nations Security Council Resolution condemned South Africa for having institution making loans to the private or 435 ." "deliberately ignored all appeal for free public sector in South Africa until Concerning South Africa, the conven- and open elections" in Namibia, and for apartheid injustice is eliminated, and that tion pledged the church's "solidarity with subjecting the Namibian people to "con- we urge the Synods and their members to the churches and people of South Africa tinual harassment, arbitrary detention, take similar action." These actions have who are working to replace the system of torture, brutalities, degradations and ex- been reaffirmed by subsequent conven- apartheid with one responsive to justice tortions, and politically motivated and tions. and human rights ." protected homicide ." The resolutions of the AELC were preceded by background material that sums up the conviction of many concerned Christians . "The central questions in South Africa today," it states, "are. . . questions of injustice, racism, neo- colonialism and a basic frustration of God's intentions for all humanity, especially the way people perceive and relate to each other." Furthermore, it goes on, "racial practices . . . (exist) today in the United States, for example, that are very similar to those in South Africa . The basis of these racial practices, which exalt whites above people of color, is racism. Racism is a denial of the created order and the incarnation ."

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Worshipers at rededication of Lutheran printing press, June 1982

Additional Resources Advocacy Letters for Namibia

For further information we suggest you Letters to your political representatives in North America are extremely important. write to the following sources: The diplomatic pressure that the United States and Canada can bring to bear, if they Dr. Edward C. May have the will to do so, can force South Africa to remove its occupying forces from Director, Office of World Community Namibia. Write in support of United Nations Security Council Resolution 435. Lutheran World Ministries United States Senate : The Honorable 360 Park Avenue South United States Senate New York, NY 10010 Washington, DC 20510 Mr. William Johnston Episcopal Churchmen for South Africa House of Representatives: The Honorable 853 Broadway House of Representatives New York, NY 10003 Washington, DC 20515 Office of the U.N . Commissioner for Namibia Canada 1 United Nations Plaza Members of Parliament : The Honourable New York, NY 10017 House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario K 1 A OA6 United Nations Council for Namibia United Nations New York, NY 10017 Dateline:Namibia is published by the Division for Mission in North America, South West Africa People's Organization Lutheran Church in America, in cooperation with the Division for World Mission and SWAPO Observer Mission to the Inter-Church Cooperation and the Office of Church in Society, The American United Nations Lutheran Church . Editor: John A . Evenson. Associate Editor : Anne Leo Ellis . Mailing 801 Second Avenue—Room 1401 address: 231 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016 . Telephone : 212-696-6841. New York, NY 10017 ©1983 DMNA/LCA . Printed in U .S .A.

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To Receive Dateline:Namibia Directly send your name, address and congrega- tional affiliation, if possible, to Dateline: Namibia, 231 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016 .