Criticism Is OK

THE Namibian government operates in a democratic system.

In democracy, people are expected to express themselves on issues affecting their communities and the country at large. This is basic knowledge.A progressive and democratic leader listens and builds his foundations accordingly.Why fear criticism in a democratic state? Can we really prosper in this country if we are allergic to criticism,most of which is constructive.In a political system, there are three interconnected parameters: the society, the government, and then, the state.The state and society are permanent while the government is semi-permanent, meaning, the society can shake-off the government.Government is formed by the society and then the Government forms the state.Society within the state is made up of communities of individuals with divergent qualities, personalities or views.Because not everybody’s needs, aspirations or views can be satisfied, accepted or tolerated by all members of the society, the government forms the social contract between the society and the state, as an optimal regulatory framework and creates the mode of operandi e.g.a democratic system.The regulatory contract between the state and society is called the Constitution.The Constitution lays the guidelines on how society should conduct itself within the state.Those who reject criticism raise questions as to whether they are worthy of leadership? A government cannot be productive and progressive with people who don’t understand the systems of government.They pretend to preserve the government without realising that it is the same government which laid fertile grounds for criticism through its Constitution.The current African failure is truly associated with a leadership crisis.The Organization of African Unity (OAU), now called African Union (AU) failed because African leaders failed to harmonise their policies simply due to political rent-seeking, infighting and backbiting.The concept of solidarity became a sudden non-runner.Some leaders rule as if they will forever remain on earth.The Cabinet Retreat for 2006 came up with a finding that Namibia has a critical shortage of skills.I am not convinced to this end.The fact is, Namibia has a reasonable skilled force but qualified people are unnecessarily feared, sidelined, neglected, misplaced or underemployed.It seems people are still living in the war era.Some street-picked leaders are spreading rumors to masses of less-independent thinkers that those who criticise some policies or activities of the government are anti-government or mercenaries.This is street politics and it will fade with time and knowledge creation.The Cabinet further came up with a resolution to establish a National Training Institute for Public Servants.Who are the public servants going to be taught by in this Institute and who is going to teach them if they are already rejecting the training of highly qualified professors? One is not sure what courses are to be taught if most, if not all, course are already offered by the existing educational institutions.Surely, to refuse a course attendance because you don’t like the person offering it is pure corruption and should be dealt with accordingly.Anti-Corruption should not only concentrate on financial matters but also look into corruption of political nature for it to be considered independent and just.Namibia is hungry for positive changes that could come through open-ended intellectual discussions and let us do away with leaders who oppose positive change because they are non-runners, power-hungry and retrogressive forces.P Muteyauli Via e-mailThis is basic knowledge.A progressive and democratic leader listens and builds his foundations accordingly.Why fear criticism in a democratic state? Can we really prosper in this country if we are allergic to criticism,most of which is constructive.In a political system, there are three interconnected parameters: the society, the government, and then, the state.The state and society are permanent while the government is semi-permanent, meaning, the society can shake-off the government.Government is formed by the society and then the Government forms the state.Society within the state is made up of communities of individuals with divergent qualities, personalities or views.Because not everybody’s needs, aspirations or views can be satisfied, accepted or tolerated by all members of the society, the government forms the social contract between the society and the state, as an optimal regulatory framework and creates the mode of operandi e.g.a democratic system.The regulatory contract between the state and society is called the Constitution.The Constitution lays the guidelines on how society should conduct itself within the state.Those who reject criticism raise questions as to whether they are worthy of leadership? A government cannot be productive and progressive with people who don’t understand the systems of government.They pretend to preserve the government without realising that it is the same government which laid fertile grounds for criticism through its Constitution.The current African failure is truly associated with a leadership crisis.The Organization of African Unity (OAU), now called African Union (AU) failed because African leaders failed to harmonise their policies simply due to political rent-seeking, infighting and backbiting.The concept of solidarity became a sudden non-runner.Some leaders rule as if they will forever remain on earth.The Cabinet Retreat for 2006 came up with a finding that Namibia has a critical shortage of skills.I am not convinced to this end.The fact is, Namibia has a reasonable skilled force but qualified people are unnecessarily feared, sidelined, neglected, misplaced or underemployed.It seems people are still living in the war era.Some street-picked leaders are spreading rumors to masses of less-independent thinkers that those who criticise some policies or activities of the government are anti-government or mercenaries.This is street politics and it will fade with time and knowledge creation.The Cabinet further came up with a resolution to establish a National Training Institute for Public Servants.Who are the public servants going to be taught by in this Institute and who is going to teach them if they are already rejecting the training of highly qualified professors? One is not sure what courses are to be taught if most, if not all, course are already offered by the existing educational institutions.Surely, to refuse a course attendance because you don’t like the person offering it is pure corruption and should be dealt with accordingly.Anti-Corruption should not only concentrate on financial matters but also look into corruption of political nature for it to be considered independent and just.Namibia is hungry for positive changes that could come through open-ended intellectual discussions and let us do away with leaders who oppose positive change because they are non-runners, power-hungry and retrogressive forces. P Muteyauli Via e-mail