New Era (Windhoek)
Catherine Sasman
5 September 2008
(Page 2 of 2)
But it is difficult to satisfy everyone due to the diversity of our nation. Having said that, we should also start seeing ourselves as a nation and not as people from different groups.
But demographically, there is a need to say, 'Look, the defence force is not only for Owambos'.
There is a perception that there are only Owambos in the NDF?
There are two things here. Before independence in SWAPO in exile, more than 90 percent of the people were Owambos. It is therefore only natural that when they came back, that they would dominate. It will be natural that the majority group will continue to dominate the politics after independence.
It is because of history, and nothing else.
Now we would like to recruit people from across the Namibian society, but I am still not happy. Some population groups still do not want to join the defence force, but we cannot force people.
What is the gender mix of the new recruits?
I am not sure, but by inclination, there are still more men. But it is no-one's creation. Women tend to apply in lower numbers. But gender is not an issue. There is no discrimination on the basis of sex or colour.
What is the highest rank a woman occupies in the NDF?
There are two female brigadiers, which is the same as Canada, which is 200 years old as a nation. That is not too bad.
Would you encourage women to enter the NDF?
That question can only be asked by people from outside the force because they think women should be encouraged separately. Women should know that the opportunities are there. It is up to them.
There is no women empowerment drive in the NDF. Everyone is treated on merit. The best man gets the job. 'Man' here means mankind.
What does the NDF do in times of peace?
We are not created to fight wars. War is the worst thing to happen. It is like having a fire brigade when there are no fires. We are preparing ourselves for contingencies.
Our current focus is to be part of the UN peace support operations anywhere in the world. We have been to Cambodia two years after independence. We have been in Angola as part of the peace support operations.
In the DRC [Democratic Republic of Congo] we were not a peacekeeping operation as such; it was a peace enforcement operation to create conditions for peace.
Other contingencies include disaster management - floods, droughts - and we also prepare ourselves to provide with civil power to the police when there is a need to do so.
For example, during the Caprivi secessionist attempt, we helped to have the situation return to normal within six days. This was the first time in history that a defence force quelled a rebellion within six days. There is no other.
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