Gwen Lister
4 January 2008
column
Windhoek — Should traditional leaders, or even church leaders for that matter, involve themselves in politics? It is a question that has been under discussion since President Hifikepunye Pohamba raised it recently in a bid to deter the former from political activity and involvement, particularly in their associations with the newly formed Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP).
And it is correct to argue that the President blundered somewhat in his rebukes to traditional leaders, as has also been pointed out by former Council of Churches in Namibia (CCN) head Dr Abisai Shejavali, because Swapo has and continues to benefit from the presence of manifold ethnic leaders in its ranks.
SO it is somewhat hypocritical to now insist that traditional leaders should play no part in politics simply because some may be leaning towards the RDP.
Even if one acknowledges that there is, or should be, a strong distinction made between politics in general (which definition encompasses almost everything in society) and party politics, which specifically refers to organised political structures; there is still no reason why President Pohamba should have made such a call.
I would venture to suggest that traditional leaders, and I'd add in church leaders for good measure, as well as civil society as a whole, which should in fact involve themselves fare more actively in politics in general, for politics concerns the nature of our society and all its facets and problems. And if anything, Namibian voices are silent on burning issues facing our people and country, when they should be providing much more of a leadership role in helping us find our way forward in our fumblings towards democracy.
The President's words seem to imply that only politicians have a right to practice politics, as if they are somehow more qualified to do so. Which is of course, complete nonsense. One only has to look at our Parliament/s, both national and regional, to know that there is very little intelligent and progressive debate in those Houses and many politicians who just don't seem to see the point in the importance of being well-read generally in exercising their duties and their responsibilities towards the nation. And party-political involvement is a democratic choice for everyone in Namibia. Because this is what democracy is about; and so for the President to deter individual preferences from being exercised, is an attempt to quash the same democracy we are attempting to build. We have to break out of the 'only Swapo is right' way of thinking; instead we have to encourage critical thought, in both the inner and intra-party discussions.
Swapo is also no longer sole and authentic for there are other players in the political spectrum which represent different viewpoints.
This in itself does not negate Swapo, as some, including the President seem to fear, but simply adds to the diversity and plurality of our society. Traditional leaders tend to be precisely that because they are more involved in the affairs of their own cultural groups and sometimes geographical regions as well, but that too does not mean they have no role to play in national politics.
In fact, with the current leadership vacuum in this country, they and others should instead be actively encouraged to break their way out of purely ethnic or parochial thinking to encompass the wider nation; and perhaps, just perhaps, there may be some untapped talent out there, charismatic, progressive and honest potential leaders who may provide some light in our increasingly muddy political landscape.
Our leaders seldom spring from grassroots origins where they've been tried and tested and recognised for their merits and achievements, but are most often imposed on the people because they've been loyal to whichever party. We simply have to find a way to reverse this trend to the benefit of the country's political wellbeing as a whole, and regardless of their party affiliations. Too often we tend to want to stifle those who begin to emerge as leaders, for political jealousy is the order of the day. Witness a Zephania Kameeta for example, who surely has good attributes, but who will be prevented from ascendancy because he will certainly present a threat to many politicians, particularly those who've seldom done a hard day's work in their lives.
The people should not allow the politicians of whatever party to dictate to them, and they should actively do their part to give support to the good people in our midst who truly care about their communities, whether they are traditional leaders or otherwise.
President Pohamba should re-think his position on the traditional heads and do more overall to encourage true leadership by ensuring Namibia's best and brightest to rise to the top and in turn to deny the political jackasses a comfortable existence at the expense of the nation they pretend to serve.
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