UPM claims Baster ‘exclusion’
News in short
The United People’s Movement (UPM) has raised concerns after a Private Member’s Bill - which sought recognition of the ‘Rehoboth Baster Gemeente’ - was shot down by the ruling party.
Party president Jan van Wyk said the rejection of the bill is a sign that the Swapo-led government has no intention of allowing the Rehoboth Baster Gemeente to be recognised as a traditional authority.
“It is clear that the Rehoboth Basters will continue to be second-hand marginalised citizens under Swapo oppression. Those who call themselves Basters and claim to have the interest of the Basters at heart but work with Swapo to oppress their own people should be ashamed of their actions and the very title they call themselves,” he said in a statement issued earlier this week.
Van Wyk added: “Today, the Rehoboth Baster Gemeente has once again lost its potential to be recognised with its own culture and traditions, and has once again been relegated to the pews of struggle and marginalisation”.
Party president Jan van Wyk said the rejection of the bill is a sign that the Swapo-led government has no intention of allowing the Rehoboth Baster Gemeente to be recognised as a traditional authority.
“It is clear that the Rehoboth Basters will continue to be second-hand marginalised citizens under Swapo oppression. Those who call themselves Basters and claim to have the interest of the Basters at heart but work with Swapo to oppress their own people should be ashamed of their actions and the very title they call themselves,” he said in a statement issued earlier this week.
Van Wyk added: “Today, the Rehoboth Baster Gemeente has once again lost its potential to be recognised with its own culture and traditions, and has once again been relegated to the pews of struggle and marginalisation”.
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