The ANC should apologise for war crimes committed in Namibia on behalf of its National Party alliance partners. This is the only way South Africa can regain its trust and standing with a people that it massacred in defence of the indefensible. Shocking revelations of decomposed bodies, massed graves and war crimes have emerged over the past two weeks, with not a word from our government. Could it be that we have been lulled into forgetfulness and are using the issue of national reconciliation to brush atrocities under the carpet?

Not only am I appalled and dismayed at the lack of response from fellow South Africans, but I am ashamed to call myself a South African. Have we forgotten all those who were forcibly conscripted into the apartheid army and ordered to kill their neighbours, comrades and supposed enemies, for an outmoded ideology? Have we forgotten countless soldiers who died reinforcing prejudice and supremacy on either side? Have we forgotten draft dodgers such as myself, and fellow war resistors who battled the old regime? What about those noble few who stood up and became contientious objectors?

All ignored simply because today’s post-911 world demands that we support arms deals, koeberg nuclear plants and the militarisation of society as a whole.