Political Perspective: Criticism And Patriotism

SOMETIMES I think Namibia became democratic by default rather than design.

A majority, it seems, is hardly even democratic-minded. Certainly the ruling party itself is apparently dominated by those who still believe that criticism is unpatriotic and should be rewarded by ostracism and it is a pity that an otherwise open environment should be spoiled by those with closed minds and intolerant attitudes.THERE are many examples to illustrate this point.Right now there is much plotting to evict two prominent Swapo leaders, Shapua Kaukungua and Michaela Huebschle, for an open letter in which they criticised what they perceive to be undemocratic practices within the ruling party.They particularly took issue with Regional Co-ordinator Michael Mwinga.The latter, after declaring free and fair an election in which Huebschle, Kaukungua and Leake Hangala were selected as Treasurer, District Co-ordinator and Information Officer respectively, later did a u-turn and made it null and void.Mwinga did not account for his actions, and it was therefore hardly untoward for the elected and subsequently ‘voided’ officials to query Mwinga’s stance! Well, in most democratic societies their questioning of such practices would hardly be considered a ‘sin’, punishable by suspension or extradition, but here, I’m afraid, it works otherwise.Needless to say, plans are already underway to ensure the writers get their comeuppance and their just desserts for daring to challenge the status quo, however undemocratic it may be.Some, it seems, like it that way! It would be nice if Swapo cared about other aspects rather than just those within its ranks who take issue over one thing or another.We’ve had people dismissed for ‘unparty’ activities, most of which do not involve any crime against either Swapo, or more importantly, society as a whole; but when did you ever hear of Swapo expelling a corrupt official or a rapist or a wife-beater or a drunk? When did we hear of the dismissal of anyone, for any offence, for that matter, apart from criticism of the status quo? That appears to be the only ‘unparty activity’ there is! When Swapo MP Peya Mushelenga this week motivated a motion on the State of the Nation’s Morality (!) I thought exactly the same thing.Where is the condemnation of the real moral degenerates in our society? Seemed to me, reading between the lines, that his only concern was respect for elders, vis-à-vis verbal attacks on former President Sam Nujoma.When will Namibians realise that political leaders will get the respect that they deserve if they lead by example, and if they don’t they won’t.Neither should age be an issue.If you’re not too old to dish it out, you’re not too old to take what comes your way …In short, then, we are a nation in which a majority pay lip service to democracy.It is a great pity that we are as yet unable to internalise what it means to be democratic, as people, as institutions.A diversity of views and opinions is healthy for any environment, especially when the criticism is because people want to make things better.It therefore helps nothing for the ruling party to simply resort to suspensions and dismissals of those within its ranks who perhaps care so deeply for Swapo that they are prepared to sacrifice themselves by speaking out.And yet such people are always accused of the opposite.I’ve said it before, and do so again: maybe it is those who care most.Swapo has to think of the future.I have no idea of its current membership statistics, but I would be prepared to bet that the youth are not joining Swapo in their droves.In fact the youth appear to becoming more apolitical, and it would not surprise me if they found nothing to attract them in getting politically involved.They would surely know they are joining a movement that refuses to take the bold step of becoming a mature and democratic political party, in keeping with the times, and which continues to expect of its followers a sheep-like mentality.What Swapo should be doing is tabling the concerns of some of its leaders at a forthcoming meeting of the Central Committee if necessary, and simply discussing these issues in an open and frank manner, rather than seeking to ostracise those who dare to question.Certainly the ruling party itself is apparently dominated by those who still believe that criticism is unpatriotic and should be rewarded by ostracism and it is a pity that an otherwise open environment should be spoiled by those with closed minds and intolerant attitudes.THERE are many examples to illustrate this point.Right now there is much plotting to evict two prominent Swapo leaders, Shapua Kaukungua and Michaela Huebschle, for an open letter in which they criticised what they perceive to be undemocratic practices within the ruling party.They particularly took issue with Regional Co-ordinator Michael Mwinga.The latter, after declaring free and fair an election in which Huebschle, Kaukungua and Leake Hangala were selected as Treasurer, District Co-ordinator and Information Officer respectively, later did a u-turn and made it null and void.Mwinga did not account for his actions, and it was therefore hardly untoward for the elected and subsequently ‘voided’ officials to query Mwinga’s stance! Well, in most democratic societies their questioning of such practices would hardly be considered a ‘sin’, punishable by suspension or extradition, but here, I’m afraid, it works otherwise.Needless to say, plans are already underway to ensure the writers get their comeuppance and their just desserts for daring to challenge the status quo, however undemocratic it may be.Some, it seems, like it that way! It would be nice if Swapo cared about other aspects rather than just those within its ranks who take issue over one thing or another.We’ve had people dismissed for ‘unparty’ activities, most of which do not involve any crime against either Swapo, or more importantly, society as a whole; but when did you ever hear of Swapo expelling a corrupt official or a rapist or a wife-beater or a drunk? When did we hear of the dismissal of anyone, for any offence, for that matter, apart from criticism of the status quo? That appears to be the only ‘unparty activity’ there is! When Swapo MP Peya Mushelenga this week motivated a motion on the State of the Nation’s Morality (!) I thought exactly the same thing.Where is the condemnation of the real moral degenerates in our society? Seemed to me, reading between the lines, that his only concern was respect for elders, vis-à-vis verbal attacks on former President Sam Nujoma.When will Namibians realise that political leaders will get the respect that they deserve if they lead by example, and if they don’t they won’t.Neither should age be an issue.If you’re not too old to dish it out, you’re not too old to take what comes your way …In short, then, we are a nation in which a majority pay lip service to democracy.It is a great pity that we are as yet unable to internalise what it means to be democratic, as people, as institutions.A diversity of views and opinions is healthy for any environment, especially when the criticism is because people want to make things better.It therefore helps nothing for the ruling party to simply resort to suspensions and dismissals of those within its ranks who perhaps care so deeply for Swapo that they are prepared to sacrifice themselves by speaking out.And yet such people are always accused of the opposite.I’ve said it before, and do so again: maybe it is those who care most.Swapo has to think of the future.I have no idea of its current membership statistics, but I would be prepared to bet that the youth are not joining Swapo in their droves.In fact the youth appear to becoming more apolitical, and it would not surprise me if they found nothing to attract them in getting politically involved.They would surely know they are joining a movement that refuses to take the bold step of becoming a mature and democratic political party, in keeping with the times, and which continues to expect of its followers a sheep-like mentality.What Swapo should be doing is tabling the concerns
of some of its leaders at a forthcoming meeting of the Central Committee if necessary, and simply discussing these issues in an open and frank manner, rather than seeking to ostracise those who dare to question.