To Namibia’s Next First Citizen

NEXT year by this time you will be the President in-waiting to be sworn in on the 20th or 21st of March.

• Ndumba J Kamwanyah

But what would define your presidency? To phrase it differently, what makes you deserve this honour from the Namibian people? Do you have a compelling vision for your presidency and for this country?

You probably already know all this but follow this very closely.

As Namibians head to the polls this year, yours would be Namibia’s third transition of power in this country’s democratic existence. Quite, I should say, an impressive record for a nation with a deep history of a divisive past.

To be precise, you will arrive at the scene at an exciting and challenging time for Namibia.

It is exciting because a new opportunity would provide you a chance to stamp your footprint on the Namibian presidential landscape, redefine and rebranding the nation’s presidential politics.

But you may also want to heed the African wisdom that the beginner is not the owner but the finisher. An advantage of the newcomer, and you are fortunate, is that you would have had two presidents at your disposal to use as a yardstick in measuring your own progress. Learn from their failures, correct and finish what they failed to do. And acknowledge their successes too! You don’ have to reinvent the wheel because some foundations – in terms of policies, programmes and infrastructure – have already been set for you.

It is a challenging time, however, because this country we call the “Land of the Brave” hasn’t quite made a huge dent in uplifting and the betterment of all the citizens.

Therefore, as we reflect on the past presidential and National Assembly elections and look forward to what prospects the 2014 election will hold for our country, I think it’s safe to say that Namibia still remains a country of two nations: the have’s and have nots. A nation where the privileged few are becoming more and more powerful and the less privileged are becoming weaker and weaker.

This is also a nation with the fastest growing rate of a jobless generation and high cost of living. A Namibia that has given us the tenderpreneur and ghomtja culture. A country with many false or incomplete starts when it comes to policies and programme implementation. Intolerance (political/racial/ethnically) still thrives unhindered at all levels of our society.

From one citizen to another: Mr President-to-be, amidst of all these challenges, it is easy and tempting for anyone to play a blame game for the problems the country finds itself in. Don’t fall into the trap of blaming your predecessors or others (including the hated and discredited colonialism/imperialism). Unfortunately that’s how things in the leadership world work. As the chosen leader, you inherit the mess created by others (including your enemies) and own it. Meaning, never allow your predecessors’ failures or successes to define yours. Instead, seize the moment, take control, and be in charge of the situation.

A president also makes a strong statement through the type of people he/she surrounds himself/herself. Select a winning team, a team that would help you achieve your vision of governance. However, avoid the power-holder blind spot, a phenomenon which occurs when a leader surrounds him/herself with loyalists or people who always agree with him/her.

Instead choose a team that embraces your vision but is also willing to challenge your thinking. Critiques in themselves are valuable resources not the other way round. The cliche is true that there is strength in diversity.

They say that a president wears many hats. Therefore, don’t hide behind the “collective leadership” mantra. Instead be resolute, steadfast, decisive and lead. After all you are the commander-in-chief!

Nor do you have to be a Mandela or JFK but be a moral centre for the nation: A reconciler and glue that keeps the nation together. Be a mourner-in-chief in times of difficulties in order to comfort and console those who are grieving. Let humility be the hallmark which defines your leadership style. Follow the model of servant leadership and fight for more peace, more development, and more democracy. Most importantly, be the cheerleader and merchant of hope for the nation, inspire and invite citizens to be of good service to the nation.

Lastly, the old saying that “absolute power corrupts absolutely” is not a figment of any imagination. Therefore, as you will enjoy the power and possibilities that come along with the presidential office, the position will test your character. In other words, the presidential power may transform you to see yourself as irreplaceable or transform you to serve Namibia and humanity well. You choose which one of the two coins will you be?

* Ndumba J Kamwanyah is a public policy consultant and an Africa blogger for the Foreign Policy Association. ndumba.kamwanyah@umb.edu; Twitter@ndumbakamwanyah