Economy And The Ruling Party

I FULLY agree with Andrew Wright (The Namibian, Friday, September 14) that Swapo is by now an anachronism, a relic of the Cold War and Cold War thinking.

It’s true that if you scratch the surface of the supposed sophisticated 21st century Swapo democratic statesmanship, you will reveal a rabid intolerant 1960s guerrilla movement underneath. It appears that this ‘scratching’ can be achieved by merely mentioning any historically sensitive topic.Of course, it derives from the era in which the mindset of the old generation of leadership was forged.It’s true that the present leadership hope to “dine off” the leadership struggle and the race card for another generation or so (until 2030?).It’s true and very regrettable that, whereas we hoped that late independence would have the advantage that at least, the mistakes of other African countries would be learnt from and avoided, the leadership seems determined to wind back the clock and repeat every last one of them.It’s true that there is no sign of active opposition, and movement and evolution of the political process.It’s not true that Africans are not capable of, or do not want, a change of political course peacefully and democratically.The problem is the vested interests.What about the cushy contracts, the padded pensions, the ministerial sinecures? What about the jobs for the cadres, the favours owed, the BEEs, the loans for the well-connected, the official 4x4s, the promised ambassadorships? That is why is very nasty situation would arise, if by some miracle, Swapo lost an election.The problem is that in most African states, a very large portion of the economy is involved with the doings and dealings of the ruling party.Huge numbers of safe jobs and comfortable arrangements are at stake.That’s why political development and change is so unlikely.Nobody could afford it Money Talks Windhoek Note: Real name and address provided – EdIt appears that this ‘scratching’ can be achieved by merely mentioning any historically sensitive topic.Of course, it derives from the era in which the mindset of the old generation of leadership was forged. It’s true that the present leadership hope to “dine off” the leadership struggle and the race card for another generation or so (until 2030?).It’s true and very regrettable that, whereas we hoped that late independence would have the advantage that at least, the mistakes of other African countries would be learnt from and avoided, the leadership seems determined to wind back the clock and repeat every last one of them.It’s true that there is no sign of active opposition, and movement and evolution of the political process.It’s not true that Africans are not capable of, or do not want, a change of political course peacefully and democratically. The problem is the vested interests.What about the cushy contracts, the padded pensions, the ministerial sinecures? What about the jobs for the cadres, the favours owed, the BEEs, the loans for the well-connected, the official 4x4s, the promised ambassadorships? That is why is very nasty situation would arise, if by some miracle, Swapo lost an election.The problem is that in most African states, a very large portion of the economy is involved with the doings and dealings of the ruling party.Huge numbers of safe jobs and comfortable arrangements are at stake.That’s why political development and change is so unlikely.Nobody could afford it Money Talks Windhoek Note: Real name and address provided – Ed