Testing Times
SWAPO pioneer Andimba Toivo ya Toivo couldn't be more correct when he says Namibia is at the crossroads.
In less than four weeks, Namibians will know who is destined to
become the country's new President.
While some would like us to believe the race for succession in
Swapo is strictly a party affair - not least Lands Minister
Hifikepunye Pohamba, one of the party's three candidates - it is
not.
Far from it.
Barring an event of seismic proportions, the ruling party's
candidate will be Namibia's President-elect.
For this and other reasons it is vital that democracy and
transparency inform this transition period.
Swapo and its candidates need to be the standard bearers.
In all likelihood what happens in the next 30 days will set the
tone for the term of office of the second President of the Republic
of Namibia.
The initial signs have been promising.
Reports have emerged of muscular debate, and the drawing of
lines, at recent Swapo Politburo and Central Committee meetings
that appear to have laid a solid foundation for how succession
should be handled.
It's probably a first for Africa that a liberation movement has
thrown open its leadership race and is conducting it in the harsh
glare of public scrutiny - as uncomfortable as this might seem at
times.
It is part of our growing process as a young democracy.
That structures were put in place and not compromised, and that
a strong personality, in this case President Nujoma, was not
allowed to ride roughshod over processes, are signs of political
maturity and bode well for the future.
What Swapo has done, as one of the three candidate's supporters
has said, should also serve as an example to other political
parties.
The run-up to the extraordinary congress is, therefore, a
crucial period of crystallising and cementing the democratic
process.
It calls for the highest degree of openness in the way the race
for the nomination is conducted.
It not only needs to be open to scrutiny, but needs to be seen
to be open to scrutiny.
As has been pointed out by one of the ruling party's
Presidential candidates, Minister Nahas Angula, many Namibians are
feeling unsettled, even confused, by the pending departure of
President Nujoma.
This is another reason why the process needs to be transparent
and to be seen to be firmly rooted in democratic traditions.
It is imperative that Namibians are reassured; they need to know
that while the lobbying for pole position may be robust, at the end
of the day, whoever is chosen will work in the interests of all
Namibians, not particular groups or vested interests.
All three Swapo candidates need to spell out their vision for
the nation, and to engage in debate.
For this reason, it is disappointing that, so far, candidate
Pohamba has stayed aloof.
Wrongly or rightly, it raises the question of whether he would
be a reclusive President.
Rightly or wrongly, it looks like candidate Pohamba is seeking
refuge in the President's shadow.
It is reported that, even within party structures, he is letting
President Sam Nujoma make the running on his behalf.
The President is within his rights to lobby for his
successor.
However, the President is said to be harnessing State apparatus
in support of his preferred candidate.
There has also been talk of 'a fear factor':that some leaders,
particularly in the regions, are afraid to be seen to be backing
anyone other than Nujoma's choice.
This should not be the case.
In fact, it militates against the groundwork laid at the recent
meetings of top ruling party structures.
Let the President back the candidate of his choice, but let the
candidates themselves stand up and be counted in public.
The final choice should be based on issues rather than
personalities and who backs who.
The nation wants to hear from the men who would be
President.
Namibians want the full Monty, the whole mopani worm.
They want to know the calibre of the candidates, what their
views are, what their vision is, where they will lead our
nation.
The Namibian people deserve nothing less.
While some would like us to believe the race for succession in
Swapo is strictly a party affair - not least Lands Minister
Hifikepunye Pohamba, one of the party's three candidates - it is
not.Far from it.Barring an event of seismic proportions, the ruling
party's candidate will be Namibia's President-elect.For this and
other reasons it is vital that democracy and transparency inform
this transition period.Swapo and its candidates need to be the
standard bearers.In all likelihood what happens in the next 30 days
will set the tone for the term of office of the second President of
the Republic of Namibia.The initial signs have been
promising.Reports have emerged of muscular debate, and the drawing
of lines, at recent Swapo Politburo and Central Committee meetings
that appear to have laid a solid foundation for how succession
should be handled.It's probably a first for Africa that a
liberation movement has thrown open its leadership race and is
conducting it in the harsh glare of public scrutiny - as
uncomfortable as this might seem at times.It is part of our growing
process as a young democracy.That structures were put in place and
not compromised, and that a strong personality, in this case
President Nujoma, was not allowed to ride roughshod over processes,
are signs of political maturity and bode well for the future.What
Swapo has done, as one of the three candidate's supporters has
said, should also serve as an example to other political
parties.The run-up to the extraordinary congress is, therefore, a
crucial period of crystallising and cementing the democratic
process.It calls for the highest degree of openness in the way the
race for the nomination is conducted.It not only needs to be open
to scrutiny, but needs to be seen to be open to scrutiny.As has
been pointed out by one of the ruling party's Presidential
candidates, Minister Nahas Angula, many Namibians are feeling
unsettled, even confused, by the pending departure of President
Nujoma.This is another reason why the process needs to be
transparent and to be seen to be firmly rooted in democratic
traditions.It is imperative that Namibians are reassured; they need
to know that while the lobbying for pole position may be robust, at
the end of the day, whoever is chosen will work in the interests of
all Namibians, not particular groups or vested interests.All three
Swapo candidates need to spell out their vision for the nation, and
to engage in debate.For this reason, it is disappointing that, so
far, candidate Pohamba has stayed aloof.Wrongly or rightly, it
raises the question of whether he would be a reclusive
President.Rightly or wrongly, it looks like candidate Pohamba is
seeking refuge in the President's shadow.It is reported that, even
within party structures, he is letting President Sam Nujoma make
the running on his behalf.The President is within his rights to
lobby for his successor.However, the President is said to be
harnessing State apparatus in support of his preferred
candidate.There has also been talk of 'a fear factor':that some
leaders, particularly in the regions, are afraid to be seen to be
backing anyone other than Nujoma's choice.This should not be the
case.In fact, it militates against the groundwork laid at the
recent meetings of top ruling party structures.Let the President
back the candidate of his choice, but let the candidates themselves
stand up and be counted in public.The final choice should be based
on issues rather than personalities and who backs who.The nation
wants to hear from the men who would be President.Namibians want
the full Monty, the whole mopani worm.They want to know the calibre
of the candidates, what their views are, what their vision is,
where they will lead our nation.The Namibian people deserve nothing
less.