Theo-Ben Gurirab

Theo-Ben Gurirab (born 23 January , 1938) was a Namibian politician who served in various political positions including as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1990 to 2000, Minister of Information and Broadcasting from 2000 to 2002. He was a founding member of parliament and a member of the Constituent Assembly Constitution Drafting Committee. He has also served as Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Namibia and Prime Minister from 2002 to 2005. Quotes History is always the way but it has its place of honour until it is needed. Namibia’s fate or fortune lies with Africa and there are no two ways about that. If not by blood and heritage, certainly by political geography and strategic considerations, Africa is one and indivisible African unity is not an empty slogan but rather an encompassing vision for socio-economic reconstruction, accountable government and empowerment of the masses of our people for self-development For all these good things to happen, constitutional democracy, viable administration of justice and gender equality must meet the high standards of political legitimacy and verifiable combat against all forms of corruption and organised crime We Africans must assume full ownership of the kind of transformation and a new beginning that must happen for our own sake For us poverty is actual and present danger and it comes first While we like promises, the problems we face call for delivery in real terms The atrocities committed at the time would today constitute genocide A dialogue, while avoiding a rush, must, however, be time bound STATEMENT BY DR THEO-BEN GURIRAB, SPEAKER OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AT THE GERMAN AFRICA FOUNDATION ON ‘NAMIBIA’S WAY INTO THE 21ST CENTURY’, BERLIN, GERMANY. 10 jULY 2007 Politics is the good place to be. It is a good thing to be politically ambitious if you really care for your improvement and serving your people. Pursue political career: Gurirab 23 August 2005 Ignoring these demands of the people is unacceptable and self-defeating People's demands should be heard: Gurirab 8 February, 2011 We stand at the brink of a crisis of enormous proportions with repercussions on our ability to produce enough food and alleviate human suffering Gurirab worried about global credit crisis 3 February, 2009 We must walk in tandem with the letter and spirit of the Constitution in particular the preamble. Speaker warns against regionalism, tribalism 16 February, 2012 I am appalled at the suffering that has been inflicted on the Palestinian people in Gaza. Speaker Gurirab tours war-torn Gaza 5 March, 2009 I have personally witnessed the media destroying elected heads of state or government, undermining stability through collaboration in assassinations or by conducting of espionage. Government and the media should work together like Siamese twins when it comes to issues of national interest. Speaker questions media 'agendas' 21 August 2007 We have to cultivate a culture of hard work and excellence Democracy comes at a price 1 January, 1970 We would not want development aid to dictate priorities for us but rather to assist priorities we developed ourselves. Gurirab says Namibia is open to donor aid 17 September, 2004 We [Namibians] are entitled to official apology, justice and reparations Your seats are vacant when your counterparts debate these challenges and to close the ranks of the descendants of the victims There is no statue of limitations on genocide and injustice Traditional leaders of our communities must show leadership and vision to be serious and act for a change, not for their own sake but in the interest of the people themselves. Gurirab urges unity among Damara leaders 29 October, 2008 The road to democratisation is a long, tortuous and zigzagging road All countries now allowing women the right to vote:Gurirab 28 September, 2011 External links BIOGRAPHY OF DR. THEO-BEN GURIRAB DR. THEO-BEN GURIRAB:  A GREAT MAN, AN OUTSTANDING CITIZEN OF NAMIBIA AND THE WORLD, MY MENTOR Category:Politicians from Namibia Category:Government ministers Category:1938 births Category:Living people