Namibia: The Sacred Trust of Civilization - Ideal and Reality, Volume 1, by Bryan O’Linn

Namibia: The Sacred Trust of Civilization - Ideal and Reality, Volume 1, by Bryan O’Linn. ISBN 9789994562794

Bryan O’Linn, a giant on the Namibian legal scene over the past fifty years, wrote this volume 1 on the ideal and reality of what he names sacred trust of civilization.

Foreword by Bryan O’Linn

When I was at High School, I at first believed that the history taught was the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. I soon, however, became disillusioned with the version taught because I perceived it to be biased in favour of white and European Africans and against the black and brown Africans. As early as 1955,1 became convinced that the sacred trust of civilization and the Mandate System were distorted to suit the white person's interests. I believed that the attitude and the actions of the Governments of South Africa and Namibia and of the most prominent European nations, constituted a betrayal of the sacred trust of civilization. Now that we have had several years of an independent Namibia and a black SWAPO government, the question also arises whether or not the ideals of the sacred trust have been fulfilled or betrayed in the post-independence period. Furthermore the question is whether the "history" of Namibia as told by present day pseudo-historians, is not as biased and one-sided as that taught in colonial days. It seems to me that there is a need in Namibia as well as in the rest of the world to distinguish between fact and fiction -between history and propaganda. I remain committed to the ideal of reconciliation. I believe, however, that true reconciliation is unattainable if we are unwilling to unveil and accept the truth, however unpalatable it may be for some of us. Every small step we take in this direction should be a building block towards true reconciliation. I have therefore decided that my search for the truth must continue. I realise, of course, that the whole truth and nothing but the truth is an ideal which cannot be attained in our imperfect world. The best one can do is to continue on this voyage of discovery and disclosure to the best of our ability in the pursuit of the ideal of reconciliation and the building of a united, progressive and prosperous Namibia. I have also always tried to defend the underdog, irrespective of colour, race or creed and will continue to do so. In order to fulfill this aim, I have often found it necessary to adopt the role of "devil's advocate". I have been advised by many to write an autobiography in view of the fact that I have been witness and even participant in the evolution of Namibia on the political, constitutional, judicial, economic and societal or humanitarian spheres. I, however, believe that an autobiography may detract from the image and aim of an objective and balanced account. The aim is to tell the story of Namibia and examine the progress towards the attainment of the ideal, rather than the personal story of my life. Nevertheless it will be impossible to avoid at all times giving a personal account of events because I have been witness and/or participant in many instances. I pause here to remark that my entry into party-politics was not driven by an ambition to become a successful party-politician. The aim was rather to contribute to a peaceful reformation of our society. Engagement in the party-political arena appeared to me to be the best available method to accomplish this purpose. My credo, however, always was to propagate what I believed was right and just, even if my view was unpopular. This approach was fatal to a successful party-political career. However, my greater passion was to become a successful barrister and judge, although this career was again jeopardised by my engagement in the political arena. Nevertheless, all my activities in the course of a diverse career, hopefully assisted me in making a balanced appraisal of events. [...]

This is an excerpt from the book: Namibia: The Sacred Trust of Civilization - Ideal and Reality, Volume 1, by Bryan O’Linn.

Book title: Namibia: The Sacred Trust of Civilization - Ideal and Reality, Volume 1
Author: Bryan O’Linn
Pollination Publishers
Namibia; Windhoek, 2010
ISBN 9789994562794
Hardcover, 18x24 cm, 402 pages, several bw-photos