Donkeys Kick Up Dust in Parliament

Jo-Maré Duddy

27 April 2011

Parliamentarians last week talked the hind leg off a donkey after Justice Minister Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana branded the huge number of asses in the North as a “menace to human life” that are threatening the biodiversity of the region.

The minister kicked up a storm during the discussion of the Environment and Tourism budget on Wednesday night, saying that oshanas are disappearing because of the many donkeys in the North.

“These donkeys don’t have predators. They just multiply and will continue to procreate,” Iivula-Ithana said, adding that maybe a market should be found for the animals.

Prime Minister Nahas Angula took offence, asking Iivula-Ithana whether she, as secretary general of Swapo, was aware that the ruling party is a party of poor people and that donkeys are the workforce of these people.

She indicated that she was indeed aware that these donkeys do the donkey work up North, but blamed their owners of not taking care of them like they do their other animals.

“Why is it that donkeys only have owners when the season of ploughing comes?” she wanted to know.

It wasn’t just donkeys that came under the Minister’s fire. She is also irked by all the palm trees up North, she told the House.

Iivula-Ithana called for a study to determine the effect these trees have on other plants in the region.

Once again the Minister’s sentiments kicked up dust.

Palm trees, or omulunga, have many uses, her fellow parliamentarians pointed out: they produce fruit and their leaves are used to weave baskets, mats and hats. Least of all, palm wine is made from omulunga, Iivula-Ithana was reminded.

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