Swapo endorsements a step towards unity

Democracy, a western philosophy of a lifestyle, politics and economy, is the most dangerous and complex system ever to grow roots in an independent Africa.

History has shown that most of the African liberation movements turned to the socialist and Eastern countries for aid and support during their struggle for freedom. Coming back to the title of the article, the Swapo that we have today is not the Swapo that history knows, and that is known by the elders.

This is attributed to the unregulated democracy that was incorporated into the constitution of the party. I suggest the party stick to the guided democracy, which should be in full force within the lowest ranks of the party structures.

The Swapo Party congress of 2017 showcased a high degree of disorder and disrespect, and a demonstration of the highest discontent.

The worst part of the 2017 saga is that a sitting president had to be challenged by those that he appointed into ministerial positions.

This never sat well with me, and I took it as a deliberate demonstration of disrespect of the president, perpetuated in the name of apparent democracy. A sitting president was compelled to be paraded through an election process. My recommendation is that for the position of president of the party, the central committee of the party should nominate and endorse a qualified and competent member of the party to stand uncontested for the party president position.

The same should also go for the secretaries of the party wings. The Swapo Party Youth League, Women’s Council and Elders’ Council, through their central committees, should nominate and endorse a reliable member of the party to take over or retain the leadership in the party for the sake of unity, solidarity and progress in the party, as well as in the government.

Solutions

Political contestation is good for practical democracy within the party, but from past experience, it is clear that party members have attached emotions to their choices and, at the end of the day, hatred, factionalism and cliques have surfaced. The only possible solution and strategy is to allow the elected central committee to pick, nominate and endorse a member for the key position in the party - just as it is done in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which smoothly manages its internal politics that, at end of the day, influences stability and harmony in its government.

What most people don’t get is that if there is instability and disorganisation within the ruling party, that disorder is transmitted to government and the entire state. A status, which will not produce an amicable atmosphere for development and proper service delivery, which is the core responsibility of government.

Ripple effects

Lastly, I would like to school and counsel my senior, a former editor of the Swapo Party newspaper, Namibia Today, comrade Asser Ntinda. After having read a lot of opinion pieces penned by him, it’s quite clear that the old man is politically ill, full of rage, and hatred, his emotions so vivid.

I would like to advise him to come to peace with the current party leadership and government. Anger and stress is not good for a person at his age.

Writers are the thinkers. Philosophers are not just mere thinkers, they are also writers. Comrade Asser, as a veteran writer, we want to see positive writing from him that will influence the paradigms and dynamics in the party, not a source of hatred, rage and emotions.

Cde Martin-Olembe Antindi

Revolutionary Activist