Democracy In Action

“THE foundation of self-government was that all men were free to voice their opinions and equal in their value as citizens.

(Women, I am afraid, were deemed second-class citizens.) … Democracy meant that all men were to be heard, and a decision was taken together as a people.Majority rule was a foreign notion.A minority was not to be crushed by a majority.”Long Walk to Freedom, part 1, from pages 18 & 19, Nelson Mandela.Who says democracy is a western invention? Who says freedom of speech has to be written into constitutions! But times have moved on; realpolitik, retail therapy and communications technology have distorted societal equations.Legalistic spaghetti now infects our lives flavoured with a sauce of self-interest, loss of principle and denial.Our culture has radically changed (maybe?); but the world has moved on.Thus we have a fine Constitution of which, as a Namibian by registration (I can’t be President!), I am proud – as I am sure are most Namibians.Our fundamental freedoms are guaranteed and our interpretation of democracy is enshrined.And as Namibians we are bound to uphold its content – in word and spirit.Indeed we quite rightly eulogise upon these freedoms, upon the independence of our legal process and the workings of our legislature and executive.We have done well.The transformation from an apartheid sub-colony to a peaceful and stable sovereign state has been remarkable.The dream has turned to an acceptable reality.But there has been a cost, probably an inevitable cost.That cost is the basis of self-interest, loss of principle and denial that is infecting our country.The Namibian people are beginning to realise that, while multiple institutions have been put into place and funded their expectations are not being fulfilled.Even worse, when they challenge matters they are met with a wall of bureaucratic arrogance and obstinacy.Sure, the people often get the wrong end of the stick, and mixing my metaphors horribly, end up barking up the wrong tree; but arrogance and obstinacy will not placate their feelings – they want what has been promised.Continuous rhetoric on “Service Delivery” does not help when many people feel marginalised.What happened to “modest government” and inconspicuous wealth”? (original Swapo manifesto) What they see is corrupt and criminal activity; insensitive government and poor health and education; sure we have done wonders with electricity and water – but how can the jobless afford to use it? (And why so much secrecy surrounding new projects?) The good thing is that our President and some of his ministers, notably the Minister of Health, Richard (diamonds are a boy’s best friend) Kamwi amongst some others, recognise the groundswell and also that much responsibility can be laid at the door of the Executive, especially their senior management.The Insight interview with Eddie Amkongo revealed much when he admitted that he could not recall anyone being dismissed for “poor performance”! Out of 80 000 employees – Utopia or denial? Or that a personnel performance management system will be introduced in the next 5 years – after a gestation period of ..? Yes, staff motivation, the eternal problem of management, but I suggest a more fundamental problem has crept up.That of a lack of new ideas in the policy arena.It is not that our basic aims are wrong, it is that successful implementation is lacking.As Aristotle said 2 300 years ago (discussing education, but not ETSIP) that in a happy and well-governed state, “There are two things in which well-being always and everywhere consists: choice of a right aim and the end of action, and discovery of the proper means thereto.End and means may not always be in harmony.”If the means are wrong there is little point in repeating them as the end will not be achieved.The fundamental problem is that new means are not forthcoming – that new ideas are absent.And why? Back to democracy.Democracy requires that a problem be identified and brought into the open, to be followed by dialogue and criticism (in the true sense of the word).Democracy fails if matters are swept under the carpet and critics muzzled through fear, inability or their own apathy.Failure to listen may well result in matters, to quote, “them comin’ back and bitin’ you in the ass”! The President’s anecdote about flying over the valleys looking for criminal camps (August 26) and later realising that the criminals “are in our houses” epitomises either denial or bad advice from somewhere; it also gives credence that our implementation strategies are sometimes based upon false premises and require a different approach.Equally, the premises may be correct but the strategies need revision! Of course, if you are a manager (or politician) who has staked his future on such strategies, reversal is going to require courage.But we are “The Land of the Brave”.I therefore suggest that, if our visions for 2030 are to be realised we have to listen to the critics, not muzzle them, get away from demanding “conformity” and sacrificing “performity”.Instead of protecting the obvious failures, they should be replaced by those of proven ability.Our democracy is now at a turning point – either we start restricting freedoms or we loosen the reins to release the power of democracy.Our first 15 years needed a firm hand and got it; peace and stability was the result.Future stability is dependent upon delivery.Yes, some major rethinks are needed – a knowledge-based economy provides numerous opportunities that do not seem to be on the radar yet! After all, how can we have poverty and a lack of empowerment when we spend nearly N$10 000 per year in government expenditure on every Namibian man, woman and child – and additional revenue sources exist.A simplistic view, but factually true.It was Robert F.Kennedy who said: “Few men are willing to brave the disapproval of their fellows, the censure of their colleagues, the wrath of their society.Moral courage is a rarer commodity than bravery in battle or great intelligence.Yet it is the one essential, vital quality for those who seek to change a world which yields most painfully to change.”Kennedy was one of the casualties of his beliefs, as was Dr Martin Luther King exactly two months previously.The high road takes courage and principle.Swapo was based on the same courage and belief in principle by its leadership.I trust the high road as servants of the people will be taken; not the low road of self-interest, introversion and focus on personality.Our democracy and leadership IS strong enough to take the high road.Let’s take it.Chris Smith csmith@mweb.com.naDemocracy meant that all men were to be heard, and a decision was taken together as a people.Majority rule was a foreign notion.A minority was not to be crushed by a majority.”Long Walk to Freedom, part 1, from pages 18 & 19, Nelson Mandela.Who says democracy is a western invention? Who says freedom of speech has to be written into constitutions! But times have moved on; realpolitik, retail therapy and communications technology have distorted societal equations.Legalistic spaghetti now infects our lives flavoured with a sauce of self-interest, loss of principle and denial.Our culture has radically changed (maybe?); but the world has moved on.Thus we have a fine Constitution of which, as a Namibian by registration (I can’t be President!), I am proud – as I am sure are most Namibians.Our fundamental freedoms are guaranteed and our interpretation of democracy is enshrined.And as Namibians we are bound to uphold its content – in word and spirit.Indeed we quite rightly eulogise upon these freedoms, upon the independence of our legal process and the workings of our legislature and executive.We have done well.The transformation from an apartheid sub-colony to a peaceful and stable sovereign state has been remarkable.The dream has turned to an acceptable reality.But there has been a cost, probably an inevitable cost.That cost is the basis of self-interest, loss of principle and denial that is infecting our country.The Namibian people are beginning to realise that, while multiple institutions have been put into place and funded their expectations are not being fulfilled.Even worse, when they challenge matters they are met with a wall of bureaucratic arrogance and obstinacy.Sure, the people often get the wrong end of the stick, and mixing my metaphors horribly, end up barking up the wrong tree; but arrogance and obstinacy will not placate their feelings – they want what has been promised.Continuous rhetoric on “Service Delivery” does not help when many people feel marginalised.What happened to “modest government” and inconspicuous wealth”? (original Swapo manifesto) What they see is corrupt and criminal activity; insensitive government and poor health and education; sure we have done wonders with electricity and water – but how can the jobless afford to use it? (And why so much secrecy surrounding new projects?) The good thing is that our President and some of his ministers, notably the Minister of Health, Richard (diamonds are a boy’s best friend) Kamwi amongst some others, recognise the groundswell and also that much responsibility can be laid at the door of the Executive, especially their senior management.The Insight interview with Eddie Amkongo revealed much when he admitted that he could not recall anyone being dismissed for “poor performance”! Out of 80 000 employees – Utopia or denial? Or that a personnel performance management system will be introduced in the next 5 years – after a gestation period of ..? Yes, staff motivation, the eternal problem of management, but I suggest a more fundamental problem has crept up.That of a lack of new ideas in the policy arena.It is not that our basic aims are wrong, it is that successful implementation is lacking.As Aristotle said 2 300 years ago (discussing education, but not ETSIP) that in a happy and well-governed state, “There are two things in which well-being always and everywhere consists: choice of a right aim and the end of action, and discovery of the proper means thereto.End and means may not always be in harmony.”If the means are wrong there is little point in repeating them as the end will not be achieved.The fundamental problem is that new means are not forthcoming – that new ideas are absent.And why? Back to democracy.Democracy requires that a problem be identified and brought into the open, to be followed by dialogue and criticism (in the true sense of the word).Democracy fails if matters are swept under the carpet and critics muzzled through fear, inability or their own apathy.Failure to listen may well result in matters, to quote, “them comin’ back and bitin’ you in the ass”! The President’s anecdote about flying over the valleys looking for criminal camps (August 26) and later realising that the criminals “are in our houses” epitomises either denial or bad advice from somewhere; it also gives credence that our implementation strategies are sometimes based upon false premises and require a different approach.Equally, the premises may be correct but the strategies need revision! Of course, if you are a manager (or politician) who has staked his future on such strategies, reversal is going to require courage.But we are “The Land of the Brave”.I therefore suggest that, if our visions for 2030 are to be realised we have to listen to the critics, not muzzle them, get away from demanding “conformity” and sacrificing “performity”.Instead of protecting the obvious failures, they should be replaced by those of proven ability.Our democracy is now at a turning point – either we start restricting freedoms or we loosen the reins to release the power of democracy.Our first 15 years needed a firm hand and got it; peace and stability was the result.Future stability is dependent upon delivery.Yes, some major rethinks are needed – a knowledge-based economy provides numerous opportunities that do not seem to be on the radar yet! After all, how can we have poverty and a lack of empowerment when we spend nearly N$10 000 per year in government expenditure on every Namibian man, woman and child – and additional revenue sources exist.A simplistic view, but factually true.It was Robert F.Kennedy who said: “Few men are willing to brave the disapproval of their fellows, the censure of their colleagues, the wrath of their society.Moral courage is a rarer commodity than bravery in battle or great intelligence.Yet it is the one essential, vital quality for those who seek to change a world which yields most painfully to change.”Kennedy was one of the casualties of his beliefs, as was Dr Martin Luther King exactly two months previously.The high road takes courage and principle.Swapo was based on the same courage and belief in principle by its leadership.I trust the high road as servants of the people will be taken; not the low road of self-interest, introversion and focus on personality.Our democracy and leadership IS strong enough to take the high road.Let’s take it.Chris Smith csmith@mweb.com.na