Time For Probing Questions
THERE is a tendency, a new phenomenon, that has taken hold and impacted on post-colonial, and post-’Liberation Struggle’ Africa. And that is the emergence of the politically empowered and connected morphing into the economic elite.
Almost without exception, new economic entities, whether in commerce or industry, are merging with political agendas, and the personalities behind these new initiatives, invariably, ‘just happen to be’, those connected with individuals in the corridors of power, members of prominent families, who have learnt to ‘work’ their associations and alliances with the ruling structure(s), and foreign interests, whose currencies are more than able to pay for services rendered.
Is this what the ‘Liberation Struggle’ was all about? That a few individuals with favourable connections should benefit, while the masses contend with exactly the same conditions as they did during the days of apartheid. The only real changes have been access to universal franchise, and the free market system. But these two conditions do not contribute to making for better lives, for the masses, while the political and economic elites position themselves, to cash in on the conditions the new dispensation has created.
What we see in the post-’Liberation Struggle’ era is a change from a previously privileged white elite to a new black elite, unchecked by the social priorities of the day, and supported by the sanction of politics in a new dispensation. The fact that there is no legal impediment preventing the privileged from advancing their own agendas, does not make it morally or ethically right, nor does it recognize or take cognizance those who made the ultimate sacrifice for a free, open, fair and just social landscape. The accumulation of wealth is not morally wrong or illegal. But in Namibia the gains made by the neo-elites are disproportionate to the conditions of the poor.
The various factions amongst the ruling party, opposition politics, trade unionists, interest groups and the business community, have become so intertwined and enmeshed in the agendas of each other, that it is virtually impossible to expose the corruption and immorality that is so rife in Namibian society to-day. The law and the judicial system can and does deal with instances of the abuse of the system, but it is at the lower bureaucratic levels where the damage is done. Corrupt officials in municipalities, ministries, tender boards, regional offices, police stations, all contribute to the plague that now typifies our new, democratic and independent country, and it presents an image to be ashamed of, rather than one to shout out to the world and be proud of.
The new elites thrive in such conditions. Our watchdog organizations are largely ineffective and bereft of the power to act effectively. Some will argue that new initiatives provide employment for large numbers of people. How has this impacted positively, if the unemployment figure still stands at around 51%?
It is time for the ordinary Namibian citizen to start asking probing questions of its chosen leaders. They, after all, have been instrumental in creating these neo-elites. It is time for the 51% of unemployed Namibians to make their feelings and aspirations known at the ballot box. The power to ring in the changes is in their hands. With millions of Dollars siphoned off, and ending up in the pockets of the elites, the era of accountability must usher in recognizable, meaningful, and measurable modalities for control.
It is unacceptable for the poor to continue to be economically marginalised and disempowered, while small coteries of opportunists manage to manipulate the system for their private gain.
Concerned Namibia
Via e-mail
Note: Name and address provided- Ed