EDITORIAL: Gazza – a missed opportunity
Musician Lazarus ‘Gazza’ Shiimi stirred a hornet’s nest with his remarks at a Swapo event last weekend at Okahandja. His attack of the opposition divided opinion, quite widely.
It was particularly good to see young people immersed in the topic, and challenging some of the musician’s assertions. After all, the youth make up 71.1% of the country’s population and will serve as a huge voting bloc in November.
Gazza’s accusation that the opposition has done nothing for drought-ravaged communities attracted the most reaction. He said Swapo was the only party that came to their rescue. His juxtaposition was misleading, perhaps on purpose given the silly season we’re in at the moment.
Crediting Swapo for the government’s work is perfectly fine. This because when government fails, it’s Swapo that gets the flak. In fact, Swapo will be evaluated in November based only on how well its government has performed over the last five years, not on how beautiful its Chinese-built headquarters are.
But let’s get a few things straight. The only party that the Namibian electorate tasked with abating the advances of drought and hunger is Swapo. It is Swapo that we have mandated as the exclusive custodian of our national resources, which it must use prudently to address challenges such as hunger, disease and unemployment. The opposition owes us nothing.
This constant bashing of the opposition at every rally creates the impression that Swapo has nothing to offer, or doesn’t have any achievements to brag about. It also paints a picture of a party in panic. Either scenario would be scary.
It was particularly good to see young people immersed in the topic, and challenging some of the musician’s assertions. After all, the youth make up 71.1% of the country’s population and will serve as a huge voting bloc in November.
Gazza’s accusation that the opposition has done nothing for drought-ravaged communities attracted the most reaction. He said Swapo was the only party that came to their rescue. His juxtaposition was misleading, perhaps on purpose given the silly season we’re in at the moment.
Crediting Swapo for the government’s work is perfectly fine. This because when government fails, it’s Swapo that gets the flak. In fact, Swapo will be evaluated in November based only on how well its government has performed over the last five years, not on how beautiful its Chinese-built headquarters are.
But let’s get a few things straight. The only party that the Namibian electorate tasked with abating the advances of drought and hunger is Swapo. It is Swapo that we have mandated as the exclusive custodian of our national resources, which it must use prudently to address challenges such as hunger, disease and unemployment. The opposition owes us nothing.
This constant bashing of the opposition at every rally creates the impression that Swapo has nothing to offer, or doesn’t have any achievements to brag about. It also paints a picture of a party in panic. Either scenario would be scary.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article