Erasmus Shalihaxwe
Deputy Minister of Information, Communication and Technology Modestus Amutse has defended the government’s decision to ban sports activities during the mourning period of the late founding president, Sam Nujoma.
According to Amutse, there is no specific law required to enforce the directive.
“Giving the necessary honour that the founding president deserves does not need regulations. It needs our ability to think that if we are mourning a person we so respect, we better do it in the best style that ascribes to that,’’ said Amutse.
He made these remarks on Wednesday while providing updates on the funeral arrangements of the founding president.
“Namibians should use common sense and self-governance by avoiding gatherings that might look celebratory and dimmed distressful during the mourning period of the former head of state,” said Amutse.
Nujoma died on Sunday, aged 95, and President Nangolo Mbumba declared a national mourning period.
The Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Services and the Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology announced that all sports activities are banned across the country to pay respect to Nujoma.
’With regard to authority that commands our actions as a government to give directions on how a nation can mourn a person of this calibre, to do it in a respectful manner,” said Amutse.
He added that even though there are no clear punishments for those who might not adhere to the temporary regulations, the government is pleading with everybody to behave respectfully.
Amutse further announced that sports events are allowed in limited instances for preparatory purposes and without spectators, and sporting codes that travel outside Namibia are not affected by the directive.
‘’Scheduled school athletics will proceed, guided by the necessary decorum of national mourning, and private events, while not prohibited, especially if pre-planned. The public is encouraged to adhere to decorum that is consistent with the mourning period,’’ he advised.
