Hannes Smith

Johannes Martin Smith (March 1933 - 5 August, 2008) was a Namibian journalist. [ [http://www.nid.org.na/view_book_entry.php?book_id=162 Hopwood, Graham. Guide to Namibian Politics, 2007 edition. Namibia Institute for Democracy, Windhoek, 2007] ] Smith was the owner and editor of the Windhoek Observer, which is the country's only Saturday paper, from the paper's founding in 1978 until his death in August 2008.

Personal

Johannes Martin Smith, known as Smithie, was born in Grootfontein, Otjozondjupa Region in March 1933. A White Namibian, Smith was known for being a muckracker [ [http://www.journalism.co.za/insight/hannes-smith-the-end-of-an-era.html Hannes Smith - the end of an era] journalism.co.za, 7 August, 2008] and anti-establishment journalist that took on both the apartheid government of South Africa and the post-independence government of the Republic of Namibia, especially President Sam Nujoma. [ [http://www.mg.co.za/article/2003-08-30-nujomas-war-of-words-with-editor Nujoma's war of words with editor] in the Mail & Guardian, 30 August, 2003]

2003 Old Location Controversy

In August 2003, President Nujoma and Smith became involved in a conflict regarding the events which are called the Old Location Massacre. Nujoma wrote in his autobiography, that wounded blacks were denied medical treatment by white medical staff, including those at the small Red Cross Society clinic. [ [http://www.mg.co.za/article/2003-08-30-nujomas-war-of-words-with-editor Nujoma's war of words with editor] in the Mail & Guardian, 30 August, 2003] Smith, a young reporter in Windhoek at the time of massacre, refuted that claim, stating that he had personally witnessed Black Namibians receiving treatment. Nujoma hit back at Smith, accusing him of blackmail and of lying. [ [http://www.mg.co.za/article/2003-08-30-nujomas-war-of-words-with-editor Nujoma's war of words with editor] in the Mail & Guardian, 30 August, 2003]

ee also

* Old Location Massacre

References