“Nicolaas Smit is a white privileged fellow,” – NANSO

…a direct beneficiary of the very racist and apartheid education system”

WINDHOEK, Mar. 7 – Namibia National Students Organisation (NANSO) has come out guns blazing, accusing Member of Parliament and Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) member, Mr Nicolaas Smit of making “ostensibly racist motivated remarks.”

A statement issued on behalf of NANSOs National Executive Committee by Communications and Media Officer Matheus Pendapala Taapopi accused Smit of believing that the apartheid education system was way better than the current education system.

“NANSO notes the ostensibly racist motivated remarks uttered by MP, Nicolaas Smit in the National Assembly session of the 06/03/2018. Mr. Nicolaas Smit, believes that the apartheid education system was way better than the current education system. The past education system he refers to and more so prefers, is one that’s defined
as a colonial, racist and apartheid characterized system,” read the statement.

“MP, Nicolass Smit is a white privileged fellow who is a direct beneficiary of the very racist and apartheid education system. And is therefore not objective and qualified enough to lead us in terms of providing direction in our society. His position is however not surprising but refreshing, as we do not expect and will demand no
meaningless apology from an unapologetic white privileged man, that expresses a view he shares with his white community.”

According to NANSO, the notorious ‘system’ was undeniably responsible for crimes against humanity, against black people in general and Africans in particular, as it was one that was behind dispossessing and discriminating against majority black Africans which culminated in a legacy of poverty, inequality and unemployment among the majority black Africans.

“And the very purpose that informed NANSO’S existence in 1984, was the need to organize students and youth against the Bantu education system and against the apartheid regime, that was premised on dispossession, discrimination, disadvantage and exclusion. NANSO is therefore disgusted and disheartened by remarks of this nature hurled out by the PDM member of parliament, given our democratic dispensation,” it continued.

NANSO also accused Smit’s assertions as backward and unacceptable.

“Foremost, the assertion made by MP, Nicolaas Smit is totally backward and unacceptable from a public office bearer and from any other person for that matter. Indeed, MP, Smit is counter-revolutionary to the ideals and values of our democracy, insensitive and therefore out rightly so undermines our democratic meaning and order of things.”

The Students Organisation also indicated it did not expect the PDM to discipline or recall him from public office, as it was a “disengaged political party that harbors white minority interest.”

“But democracy is twofold, a subject of processes and values, and as a student youth movement in majority that represents a greater and important constituency, PDM must know that MP, Nicolaas Smit is a liability, and PDM will definitely regret racist remarks uttered and housed under their umbrella,” – NDN Staffer