Freedom did not come on a silver platter – Shaningwa

SWAPO secretary general Sophia Shaningwa said the story of the Cassinga Massacre can never be changed or rewritten by those, she claimed, were “deliberately trying to distort history”.

Shaningwa said the freedom and independence being enjoyed today did not come on a silver platter, thus Cassinga Day should serve as a reminder of the sacrifices made by the heroes of the liberation struggle.

She was speaking yesterday at a Cassinga Day commemoration event at Okandjengedi in the Oshana region.

Shaningwa said the attack on 4 May 1978 by the apartheid regime’s army started in the morning and lasted until after 18h00.

Out of the approximately 4 000 inhabitants of the camp, between 600 and 1 000 people were killed, and others were wounded, she said.

“As we continue with the struggle for economic emancipation, let us continue to fight against unemployment, ignorance, anarchy, alcohol and drug abuse and poverty, in order to respect the blood that waters our freedom,” Shaningwa said.

Minister of industrialisation and trade Lucia Iipumbu, during the Cassinga Day commemoration at Okalongo in the Omusati region, said it is imperative that Namibia continues to remember all the atrocities committed by the apartheid regime.

“It may be hard for some quarters of this country to appreciate the history of the liberation struggle, especially our young generation. We need to continue teaching one another as to why we commemorate this day,” Iipumbu said.

She said it was no fairy-tale when the elders say the liberation struggle was long and bitter.

Iipumbu said Namibia has some of the Cassinga survivors among its citizens, who continue to suffer from the emotional events of the massacre.

‘LET’S BE VIGILANT’

Iipumbu called on Swapo members to be vigilant, saying there will always be those who try to discredit the achievements of the party in order to reverse the gains of Namibia’s hard-won freedom and independence.

“They will always try to cause division and disunity among the rank and file of the Swapo party for their own selfish agenda, but as loyal cadres, we must remain ready to defend our party,” she said.

Landless People’s Movement (LPM) spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa said while Cassinga Day is important, other events such as the 1904-1908 Ovaherero and Nama genocide should also be recognised.

“Moving toward a day designated for that, we can commemorate as Namibians together and support the victims and descendants of such an event,” Simataa said.

According to Simataa, the LPM is hopeful that one day monuments and memorial sites will also be built for the genocide, similar to the one that is earmarked for Cassinga.

In 2018, the governments of Namibia and Angola pledged to build monuments at Cassinga in the Huíla province and Chetequera in the Cunene province, which hosted Namibian refugees during the struggle.

The National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo) Youth League also added its voice to the call for a memorial day for all atrocities.
“We, the Nudo Youth League, commiserate with those who perished at Cassinga, their blood indeed waters our freedom. We shall continue remembering this day now and forever,” Nudo Youth League secretary general Veparura Kandirikirira said.

United Democratic Front (UDF) leader Apius Auchab said: “All of the deaths were for the country but on different levels. We must not mix things because the ruling party is involved in the Cassinga event. Genocide was to protect the land but Cassinga was because we didn’t want to stay under the leadership of the colonial masters, but liberate ourselves and take the affairs of our country into our hands, as we are doing today,” said Auchab.

Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) called for continued unity and collaboration among all Namibians.
Party spokesperson Immanuel Nashinge urged the nation to join hands in the pursuit of peace, justice and equal opportunities for all.