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Anglican Delegation Finds Cautious Optimism About Elections in Namibia

Episcopal News Service. October 26, 1989 [89204]

Seven members of a special Anglican delegation appointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury completed their recent tour of Namibia cautiously optimistic that the last colonial enclave on the African continent is moving toward independence and self-determination.

The delegation, led by the former Primate of the Anglican church in Canada, and representing seven different countries of the worldwide Anglican Communion, visited all parts of the country and met with persons representing a large cross section of Namibian society and political viewpoints. A chief purpose of the visit was to monitor the process leading to November elections of a constituent assembly for Namibia. The assembly will draft a constitution for Namibia, which has been administered by South Africa since World War I. Before the war, Namibia was a German colony known as South-West Africa.

"The human destiny of Namibia is passing into the hands of the Namibians," said H.K. Allen, the Episcopal Church's representative on the delegation. Allen, a Texas consultant on international trade and investment, served as vice-chairman of the Export-Import Bank of the United States during the Carter administration and had frequent contact with Africa and often visited the continent. "I think that Namibia has the opportunity for a bright future," Allen said. "Yet the future course will be a very delicate one."

Allen's observations underscored a statement released by the entire delegation just before departing Namibia: "We believe that the time has come for the Namibian people to be given the right and responsibility to make decisions for themselves and urge all citizens, regardless of party affiliation, to work for a stable, united society."

The current climate of hope is in sharp contrast to the decades of turmoil and oppression for Namibia under South African domination. Namibia has been administered by the South Africans since the end of World War II in defiance of UN and World Court decisions and all attempts to move toward independence. Elections to set up a Namibian government were negotiated through the auspices of the United Nations under Security Council Resolution 435 of 1978, an international agreement under which South Africa ends its illegal occupation of the former League of Nations trust territory.

The visiting Anglican delegation took note of the struggle for independence in recent Namibian history: "We have become aware of the tragic suffering that has been involved in the long road to independence. This has involved the denial of human rights and the violence that is represented by the structured racial injustice of apartheid, which has caused such terrible suffering to so many Namibians. We are aware, too, that there have been incidents of denial of human rights and the use of torture among and within groups struggling for liberation."

Namibian churches have been actively involved in resistance to South African rule over the years. Allen spoke of his encounters with Anglicans in Namibia: "They are a very spiritual church. I was tremendously impressed with their commitment to the faith. They were active, enthusiastic church people." Yet, he reported that their spirituality has motivated them in the political realm. "I found them to be deeply committed to the faith and showing their concern for each other by insisting on human dignity, justice, freedom from oppression." "The Anglican church has spoken out about social conditions, health care, and opportunity," said Allen. "Namibians are our fellow human beings who are not experiencing the basic human rights that we enjoy," he added. "The scars of all that is past are clearly visible on the Namibians as they come together as fellow countrymen to experience the transition to independence."

Although the initial procedures set up for registration and voting met with stiff opposition by a variety of Political factions in Namibia, Allen said that he believes that revisions in the UN -- supervised elections are the first and best opportunity for fair and open elections.

Allen suggested that Americans educate themselves about Namibia in order to establish relations with the new government when it is formed. "The new Namibian government will take over a serious budget deficit. Operating their infrastructure will require experience, knowledge, training, and heavy responsibility," Allen said. "They have a wealth of natural resources, and I think the people of Namibia could be great allies with the United States."

In addition to the United States, Allen insisted that Namibia will have to make peace with its neighbors in the region. "They're going to need support from South Africa, and I believe that is possible," Allen said. "The United Nations is the correct facility to see that there is a working relationship between South Africa and Namibia as they come into this new relationship."

"The principal thought and thrust of the church in Namibia is now reconciliation," said Allen. His words echoed those of the entire delegation: "The existing realities in Namibia challenge both church and political leaders to take creative and courageous action in seeking true reconciliation."

In addition to Allen, other members of the delegation were the Most. Rev. Edward Scott, former Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada; Mrs. Justice Mavis Gibson of the Zimbabwe High Court; Bishop Michael Challen, auxiliary bishop of Perth in Western Australia; Bishop Charles Albertyn, suffragan bishop of Cape Town in South Africa; Mrs. Najar Kafity of East Jerusalem; and Miss Pamela Gruber of the Board of Social Responsibility of the General Synod of the Church of England.

The Anglican Church in Namibia

The Anglican Church in Namibia is a diocese of the Church of the Province of Southern Africa, which includes Swaziland, Mozambique and Lesotho. The Church originated as a chaplaincy to the white, English-speaking population of Namibia, but is now a racially integrated church with some 60,000 members.

A member of the Council of Churches in Namibia, the Anglican Church has suffered under the administration of the South African government which has deported a number of its leaders over the years. The Rt. Rev. James Kauluma is bishop of the Anglican Church in Namibia.