National Namibia Concerns

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April 1, 1990

Dear friends of Namibia,

Eighteen months ago, United Nations negotiators set April 1, 1990, as the goal for the Namibian peace process to be completed. After more than a century of waiting and hoping, and suffering and struggle, that final goal was achieved ahead of schedule!

For all of us who have worked in the struggle, and hoped and prayed, along with our Namibian friends, this is indeed a time of rejoicing.

Enclosed are portions of Ralie Deffenbaugh's final report from Namibia. We are grateful to him for his accounts over the past year, detailed observations which enabled us to participate, even at a distance, in these historic events.

Also enclos~d, a couple of news arti~lEs which begin the discussion of the difficult path ahead---nation building is a formidable task, especially for a nation ravished for decades by foreign countries.

Also, for those of you who are members of the ELCA, a recent proposal to re-organize yet again their pension funds in response to a church-wide mandate for divestment. Action on this would have to be immediate, since the Church Council meeting is April 19th. It appears that South Africa will be free long before us Lutherans dare take any "risks".

Finally, we are still short of funds to produce our Naaibian Independence issue of the Newsletter. Susan Burchfield was there for the independence celebration, and will return soon with pictures and stories. We'd like to make this a special issue. If you can help, Thanks!

Viva, free Namibia!! ~/i~

" Luke 4:18 NAMIBIA: AFTER INDEPENDENCE, BRACING FOR THE FUTURE

by Ketson Kandafula WINDHOEK, March 30 (IPS) -- Now that the fanfare is over and everyone has gone home, Namibia must get on with the daunting task of sorting out its future. Over 160 international dignitaries turned out on March 21 to watch the lowering of the South African flag on Africa's last colony and to celebrate Namibia's long overdue independence. The government of President Sam Nujoma must now insure independence for the country's 1.2 million people by tackling the economy, unemployment and re-organizing the country from a minority-ruled to a democratic society. According to official estimates, the South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) government has inherited a 500 million rands (about $330 million) budget deficit. Some thirty percent of the eligible workforce is jobless and the majority of the black population is poorly educated. "I calIon the cabinet ministers and civil servants to tackle with urgency and determination the burning problems of unemployment, poor housing, the crisis in education and water supply," Nujoma said in his forward looking independence speech. "There is a long way to go before our country's resources are fully exploited to improve living conditions for our people. Our raw materials are exploited unprocessed, but we need to process our own diamonds, beef, karakul, fish, to thus serve our local markets and export to the world," he added. The first task before the-government is to mend relations with the white minority. Nujoma's first showdown with whites is over the sell of property. "Already some whites are selilng their homes, far~s, commercial and industrial property at prices ranging between $80,000 to three million dollars. This move leaves little property for the government to inherit and Nujoma has blamed the departing administration under South African administrator general, Louis Pienaar, for starting the property game. But the biggest problem will be finding jobs for the unemployed. Besides the jobless left behind by Pienaar's administration, the new government has to find work for some 19,000 ex-fighters of the People's Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) and the close to 32,000 Namibian refugees who returned to the country. Before leaving the country, Pienaar said that to create jobs, the new government needed "money, enterprise and a ~ystem." Namibia's population is estimated to grow by 3.0 percent each year between 1985-1990, but the urban population has grown at nearly twice this rate as people migrate to the towns in search of employment. Nujoma's government has indicated that it will give priority to organize and develop the agricultural sector to feed the nation and absorb the thousands of jobless. According to statistics, per capita food production has fallen consistently over the past two decades. In 1974, per capita food production was 140.26 percent of the 1980 production. By 1985, it had fallen to 83.69 percent of per capita food production in 1980. Nujoma said his government would encourage large commercial farming. Peasants, he added, should pursue subsistence farming for the immediate future needs with the state providing extension services, better equipment, training, markets and transport. INTER PRESS SERVICE INTERNATIONAL NEWS FRIDAY MARCH 23, 1990

NAMIBIA: WITH INDEPENDENCE, COMES THE TASK OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT by Claude Robinson NEW YORK, March 23 (IPS) -- With the long and bitter struggle for political independence finally over, Namibia's new leaders and United Nations officials are embarking on the related, and perhaps, equally difficult task of economic development. "We inherited a lopsided and underdeveloped economy," President Sam Nujoma told an independence rally in the sports stadium in the capital, Windhoek, March 21, as Namibia celebrated its first day of freedom from South African control. "We confront major economic difficulties," said Nujoma. The difficulties include a $200-million budget deficit largely incurred by South African borrowing to finance the war against SWAPO and low taxation of the foreign firms in Namibia. There is also 30 percent unemployment and, according to President Nujoma, two-thirds of the population are poor "by our

More? .. (Yes or No) -- standards and by the standards of the world." South African President Frederick de Klerk paints a rosier picture -- the infrastructure created by Pretoria makes Namibia "well equipped for the economic challenges that lie ahead." What's not contested and has been documented by the United Nations is that the economic structure created by South Africa has benefitted the white minority and the foreign firms that exploited the huge mineral resources and fisheries. . "A comprehensive international aid program will be essential for Namibia to consolidate its newly independent status, stabilize its finances and generate sustainable growth," concludes a new U.N. publication "Namibia Outlook", released here this week. The United Nations will convene a donors' meeting in Windhoek in June because, in the words of Secretary General Javier Perez de Cuellar, "it is now the duty of the United Nations system to help Namibia consolidate its independence and achieve political and economic stability and rapid progress." The U.N. Development Program (UNDP) and the World Bank are preparing a major review of the economy, focusing first on fiscal and balance of payments requirements, for the donors' conference. Meanwhile, there is support for the Namibia trust fund launched by William Draper, administrator of (UNDP) last September and early

More? .. (Yes or No) -- indications are that about $100 million in external aid will be forthcoming in the first year of independence. Foreign aid flows notwithstanding, the new leaders in Namibia and outside observers say that the most urgent task is to restructure the economy to unlink it from South Africa, reduce the massive dependence on the export of minerals and other primary commodities and provide some equity for the black majority. Namibia, a sprawling country of 823,000 square kilometers, has a population of somewhere between 1.2 And 1.6 million, giving it a density of 1.5 persons per square kilometer compared to 18 per square kilometer for Africa as a whole. Although the harsh and fragile environment severely limits agricultural possibilities, the economy "is potentially one of the most productive in Africa," says the U.N. document. Namibia is the fourth largest mineral producer on the continent and just beyond its 1,600 mile coastline lies one of the world's best fishing sources. The U.N. document points out, "the economy is inherently weak" because it is based almost entirely on the primary export sector and is subject to the uncertainties of the international commodity markets. About 57 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GOP) -- which

More? .. (Yes or No) amounted to $1.43 billion in 1988 -- consists of exports to hard currency markets. However, a significant proportion of this does not return to the Namibian economy but to the South African, British, Canadian and United States firms that own the key export sectors. The foreign owned mineral sector accounted for 72 percent of export earnings which totalled about $850 million in 1988. Diamonds accounted for 27 percent with the other major minerals being base metals like copper, lead, zinc, tin, and the precious metals gold and silver as well as uranium. As the country moved towards independence over the past decade, there was rapid extraction of minerals and little reinvestment as the transnational corporations sought to maximize their profits. At current rates of extraction, the diamond industry controlled by Consolidated Diamond Mines (COM) will be exhausted in 15 years, the "Namibia Outlook" document. says. Agriculture is also pr.imari.ly- org~nized for export of beef and Karakul pelts, used to make luxury garments abroad. The 80,000 whites who own 65 percent of the land control export agriculture. Some 70 percent of Namibians directly or indirectly depend on agriculture for a living yet this sector contributes less than 9 percent to the GOP as there is low output in the peasant sector.

More? .. (Yes or ~o) -- Because of the export led policies pushed by Pretoria, Namibia was forced to import most of its food needs, including corn, rice and fruits from South Africa. "Such a costly practice, causes higher prices, increases our budget deficit and deprives us of jobs in the agricultural sector," said Nujoma. He added "most, if not all of this food can be grown right here on Namibian soil." The U.N. report agrees that with incentives to the peasant sector, new policies allowing equitable access to land and technological inputs like irrigation, food imports could end and the value of agricultural products "could triple or quadruple." The fishing industry is another area that has suffered from South African policies which allowed foreign fleets to virtually deplete the resource, especially the pilchard and anchovy species. In the 1960s, the pilchard catch was about one million tons a year but this is now averaging only about 90,000 tons a year. The anchovy catch peaked at 376,000 tons in 1978 but fell to only 14,000 tons in 1984. As a matter of urgency, the new government will have to assert its right to an exclusive 200 mile economic zone, thereby restricting the activities of foreign fishermen. Also, it may have to limit fishing of the endangered species for some time. MEMORANDUM

DATE: March 29, 1990

TO: Lutheran World Federation Lutheran Office for World Community

FROM: Ralston Deffenbaugh FAX No. (264 61)"226775

RE: Observations from Namibia, No. 21

Namibia is free! A few minutes after midnight, early in the morning of Wednesday, March 21, the South African flag was lowered. The new Namibian flag, blue, gold, red, white, and green, was raised in its place. Thus ended 75 years of South African occupation and over a century of foreign rule. Sam Nujoma was sworn in as the first president of the independent Republic of Namibia, and Hage Geingob as the first prime minister. Later in the day, in separate ceremonies, the members of the National Assembly, the Chief Justice, and members of the Cabinet were sworn in. Namibia's government is in place.

The situation in the country continues to be peaceful and calm. People are relaxed and happy. The country has had good rains in March, including a heavy shower in Windhoek a few hours before the independence ceremonies. The rains a~e seen as an independence blessing from God. In the far north of the country, it has been seven years since rains have come in March. The local farmers expect a bountiful harvest.

INDEPENDENCE. The Republic of Namibia was established on Wednesday, March 21, 1990, with the coming into force of the Constitution. Independence ceremonies began the evening of March 20 and continued over two days. In preparation for the event, foreign guests arrived from allover the world. Namibian leaders Sam Nujoma, Hage Geingob, and Theo-Ben Gurirab spent all day March 20 at Windhoek Airport, meeting airplanes and escorting foreign dignitaries down the red carpet to the terminal.

Among the visitors were United Nations Secretary-General Javiex Perez de Cuellar; South African State President F. W. de Klerk and Foreign Minister R. F. Botha; Presidents Hosni Mubarak of Egypt, Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia, Eduardo dos Santos of Angola, Quett Masire of Botswana, Joachim Chissano of Mozambique, Ali Hassan Mwinyi of Tanzania, and Yasser Arafat of the Palestine Liberation Organization; Prime Minister V. P. Singh of India; and foreign ministers James Baker of the U.S.A., Edvard Shevardnadze of the USSR, Douglas Hurd of the U.K., and Hans-Dietrich Genscher of the Federal Republic of Germany. The Namibian crowds gave their warmest welcome to African National Gongress leader Nelson Mand~la. He was accompanied by his wife, Winnie, and by ANC officials Thabo Mbeki and Joe Slovo. Shortly before midnight, the Namibian and foreign dignitaries arrived at Windhoek Athletic Stadium. Earlier in the evening, the crowd at the stadium was sparse because of thundershowers. But the rain stopped and the stadium filled up. The UN Secretary-General gave a message, saying he was filled with profound emotion and gratitude that Namibian independence has been realized -- "by arduous effort, with frustrations and occasional setbacks in the past no doubt, but through a process which has fully vindicated the repute and effectiveness of the United Nations." He continued, "The independence of Namibia also marks the triumph of the international rule of law. The achievement bears eloquent testimony to the strength of the norms of democracy and human rights."

Then it was South African President de Klerk's turn to speak. He said that this was the culmination of a protracted process in which Africans found a solution to an African problem. South Africa had, he continued, made a massive contribution to the development and creation of infrastructure in the territory. He congratulated Sam Nujoma on his election, saying, "The people of South Africa join me in wishing you and the people of the new Namibia prosperity and peace, and we extend the hand of friendship to our new neighbors. Together we should endeavor to build a mutually rewarding friendship between our countries. Good neighborliness is in our mutual interest."

At 00:17 on March 21, the South African flag was lowered. Many in the crowd shouted, "Down, down!" Then the new Namibian flag was raised and the band played "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika." (This tune has been chosen as the national anthem, but the Namibian words have not yet been adopted.) The UN Secretary-General swore in Sam Nujoma as the first president of Namibia. This was the first time a United Nations official had sworn in a government leader. It symbolized the completion of the UN's special responsibility for Namibia. After World War I, Namibia had been given to South Africa as a League of Nations mandate. In 1966, the United Nations revoked the mandate. Since then, under international law although not in fact, the United Nations was the legal authority over Namibia.

In his inaugural address, President Nujoma paid tribute to the thousands who had laid down their lives in the struggle for independence. "To the Namibian people, the realization of our most cherished goal, the independence of our country, is a fitting tribute to the heroism with which our "people fought for this day." He said it was pleasing that the international leaders were gathered, not to pass yet another resolution, but to celebrate. He paid tribute to South African President de Klerk's statesmanship and realism. He was indebted to the Namibian people for giving SWAPO the majority. He said he would do his utmost to honor the Constitution and the trust which the people had put in him to lead the nation. Before a closing fireworks display, President Nujoma swore in Hage Geingob as prime minister. THE CABINET. Chief Justice Berker swore in the Cabinet ministers in this order:

Hifikepunya Pohamba, Home Affairs Theo-Ben Gurirab, Foreign Affairs Peter Mueshihange, Defense Hendrik Witbooi, Labor, Public Service and Manpower Development Andimba Toivo ya Toivo, Mines and Energy Hidipo Hamutenya, Information and Broadcasting Nahas Angula, Education, Culture and Sport Richard Kapelwa, Works, Transport and Communications Nico Bessinger, Wildlife, Conservation and Tourism Ngarikutuke Tjiriange, Justice Nicky Iyambo, Health and Social Services Ben Amathila, Trade and Industry Libertine Amathila, Local Government and Housing Marco Hausiku, Lands, Resettlement and Rehabilitation Otto Herrigel, Finance Gerhard Hanekom, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. After the installation of the Cabinet, President Nujoma addressed the nation. He said that the Constitution reflects the aspirations of all the Namibian people. It serves as the fundamental law of the land and the guide to government action. In the spirit of national reconciliation, SWAPO has no intention to rule alone. "We must work together to build our nation." The crippling legacy of colonialism has l~ft mass unemployment (at least 33% unemployed, with more under­ employed; and a heavy reliance on imported foodstuffs. Much can be done -- the fertile northern regions could feed the nation. He urged people to stay on the land and promised increased government attention to agricultural extension, training, transport, and marketing.

There is, the President continued, enormous room for expanding the industrial base of Namibia by processing local products, especially in the mining sector, where Namibia ranks fifth in Africa and 17th in the world. He called on business to be responsible citizens, concerned for employee welfare, the environment, and investment in Namibia. Namibia needs capital and technical know-how from abroad. Namibia is committed to a mixed economy, with good partnership between the state and the private sector. The government seeks joint ventures in fishing, large-scale 'farming, and agricultural industries. For its part, government needs to reduce its deficit through more efficient tax collection, reducing inefficiency in government, and increased growth. Major problems facing society are unemployment, poor housing, lack of education, and inadequate water supply. In conclusion, the President pledged that he and the Cabinet would do their utmost to uphold the Constitution. He called on all Namibians to protect their hard-won national independence and the integrity of the country. RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCES. On the following morning, March 22, a national thanksgiving service was held in the stadium, organized by the Council of Churches in Namibia. Roman Catholic Bishop Bonifatius Hausiku preached. Messages of greeting were given by United Evangelical Mission Director Peter San~ner on behalf of /Sl the mission societies; Lutheran World Federatlon General ~ Secretary Gunnar Staalsett on behalf of the northern hemisphere churches; World Council of Churches President Nita Barrow on behalf of the world's churches; Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu on behalf of the African churches; and American civil rights leader Jesse Jackson. At the end, South African Council of Churches General Secretary Frank Chikane led the singing of "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika."

It was disappointing that President Nujoma, in his independence speeches, did not refer to the role of the church in the struggle for independence. He was scheduled to attend the national thanksgiving service, but did not attend. Furthermore, Lutheran Bishop Hendrik Frederik, President of the Council of Churches in Namibia, had been scheduled to offer a prayer following President Nujoma's inauguration. He was there and ready, but the master of ceremonies failed to calIon him.

OTHER EVENTS. In other independence celebrations, on March 21 there was a parade through the streets of Windhoek and a People's Banquet in Katutura (consisting of a free barbecue picnic); on March 22, Cabinet ministers fanned throughout the country to address local gatherings; and on March 24 there was a big rock concert in Windhoek, featuring Ziggy Marley of Jamaica.

It is wonderful to see the colorful Namibian flag appearing everywhere -- on cars, in shops, on T-shirts, displayed outside private as well as government buildings. The street signs denoting Kaiser Strasse have disappeared; Windhoek's main street is to be renamed Independence Avenue. Yet, after the public he' days of March 21 and 22, daily life has resumed in a normal an~ peacefyl way. _South African jOllxnalist Shaun Johnson, writing in the Weekly Mail, well summed up the unworried atmosphere: "The flurry of events proceeded haphazardly but happily, and this was due in large part to the laissez-faire, accommodating and good-natured mood of the Namibian people. Not a glimmer of violence or hostility was in evidence."

REHOBOTH AND WALVIS BAY. One sour note at independence is the failure of a minority group in Rehoboth to accept independence. Led by the traditional Rehoboth leader ("Kaptein") Hans Diergaardt, this group had ruled over Rehoboth under the ethnic- based Second Tier government system previously in force. Diergaardt participated in the 1989 election campaign (in which his party finished second to the DTA in Rehoboth) and served in the Constituent Assembly, but now is reneging on that process. His traditional followers proclaimed Rehoboth independence on March 20. In violation of a court order, they have occupied government buildings in Rehoboth and are flying a traditional Rehoboth flag. President Nujoma has warned that Diergaardt's actions are "totally unconstitutional," and that Diergaardt should stop being a "public nuisance." Diergaardt's group is seeking autonomy for Rehoboth and special privileges regarding land use.

Walvis Bay and 12 offshore islands remain under South African control. Namibian and South African authorities are in the process of negotiating treaties relating to Namibia's use of the Walvis Bay port, as well as fishing, transport, and consular arrangements. There is as yet no indication about when and under what conditions South Africa would hand over Walvis Bay to Namibia. THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY. At 9 in the morning, the members of the Constituent Assembly met in order to convene the new National Assembly. President Nujoma swore in Hans Berker as the Judge President of Namibia. Constituent Assembly Chairperson and Namibian Prime Minister Hage Geingob announced two vacancies, created by the election of Sam Nujoma as president and the resignation of ACN member W. O. Aston. SWAPO nominated Helmut Angula to fill its vacant seat; the ACN, because of internal strife, has not yet chosen a successor to Aston. In addition, the Prime Minister announced that, as provided by the Constitution, the President had nominated six non-voting members of the National Assembly:

Otto Herrigel Gerhard Hanekom Netumbo Ndaitwah Nangolo Iithete Daniel Tjongarero Philemon Malima

Each of these six serves as a minister or deputy minister. the Constitution requires that ministers must be chosen from among the members of the National Assembly and deputy ministers from among the members of the National Assembly or the National Council (which has not yet been elected). These appointments left one deputy minister, Klaus Dierks of Works, Transport and Communications, without a ~arliamentary seat. He will probably have to be called Assistant Minister instead of Deputy Minister, a slight demotion.

Judge President Berker then swore in the members of the National Assembly. The new National Assembly elected Mose Tjitendero of SWAPO, the only nominee, as Speaker. Then the Assembly adopted its first bill, for the Coat of Arms of Namibia. The national motto is "Unity, Liberty, Justice."

THE CHIEF JUSTICE. In the afternoon of March 21, back at the stadium, President Nujoma swore in Hans Berker as Chief Justice of Namibia. The two remaining members of the Supreme Court are still to be chosen. Judge Berker's elevation to the Supreme Court leaves a vacancy in the post of Judge President which also needs to be filled. In the first proclamation in the first issue of the Government Gazette of the Republic of Namibia, President Nujoma appointed the five members of the Judicial Service Commission, which nominates judges. They are: Chief Justice H. J. Berker, Judge G. J. C. Strydom, Attorney-General H. F. E. Ruppel, Advocate T. J. Frank (nominated by the Bar Council), and Attorney W. H. Dicks (nominated by the Law Society). VISIT TO OVAMBOLAND. I visited the far north March 23-25, in order to see Ovamboland free. This area, which bore the brunt of the war and the violent South African occupation, was quiet, peaceful, calm, and hopeful. In a modest, undemonstrative way, people happily congratulated one another on independence, for which they had thirsted so long. Independence has been blessed by good rains -- according to the Lutheran pastor in Oniipa, for the first time in seven years it has rained in March. This year, the farmers can cultivate their fields without fear of war, without danger of Casspir armored vehicles driving through their crops and even their houses. A bountiful harvest is expected. It was beautiful to see Ovamboland at peace.

Several thousand Angolans have settled along certain portions of the Namibian border in Ovamboland, fleeing war and hunger. As many of them are UNITA supporters, they have in some cases been coolly received by the local Namibians.

FAREWELLS. On Thursday, March 22, the last South African Administrator-General of South West Africa, Louis Pienaar, left Namibia. He will become the head of the South African body which censors films, books, and magazines considered to be either pornographi~ or politically objectionable.

On Wednesday, March 28, the United Nations Special Representa­ tive, Hartti Ahtisaari, left Namibia. So did the Deputy Special Representative, Legwaila Joseph Legwaila, and the UNTAG Force Commander, Prem Chand. Ahtisaari began working on Namibia for the L- ited Nations in IS76, when he was elected by th~ General Assembly to serve as UN Commissione~ for Namisia. He will return to his post in New York as UN Under-Secretary-General for Administration and Management.

UNTAG's mandate ended with independence, and UNTAG offices around Namibia have closed down. The big, black "UN" lettering on vehicles is being washed off before the vehicles are donated to the new government. UN civilian staff, military, and police (with the exception of the Kenyan military and the police described above) are steadily leaving Namibia to return home. All but a few administrative staff will have left by April 9. UNTAG's members can return home satisfied with a job well done. This operation has been a high point for the UN.

This will be my last report of observations from Namibia. My period of service as a legal adviser to Lutheran Bishops Kleopas Dumeni and Hendrik Frederik has been completed. I will be leaving next week, returning to my family and to my job in New York as Director of the Lutheran Office for World Community, the United Nations office of the Lutheran World Federation and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. It has been deeply satisfying to see the Namibian independence plan finally implemented, and to see it having worked out so well. I am grateful for the privilege of having had a small part in this process. Namibia is certainly a much happier, much more pleasant place to be. Hallelujah!