Elites’ Access To Resources

THE article by Elijah Ngurare entitled ‘The politics of anti-Owambo: A national dialogue is needed’ (The Namibian, 23 March) is a welcome intervention. We find ourselves in full agreement with the general thrust of that writing.

All progressive Namibians must stand together and oppose tribalism in whatever form it is manifested and work tirelessly for the unity of the nation. On this issue, there can never be any compromise. It is a matter of principle to us. The logic of tribalism only leads to further and further divisions. And, Ngurare is correct in saying that tribalism is really all about the elite’s access to resources. The elite use tribalism and manipulate the people for their own selfish political agendas. We therefore without hesitation fully support the call for a national conference to discuss these potentially explosive issues such as tribalism.The simple fact of the matter is that Oshiwambo-speaking Namibians are not the enemy. They are part and parcel of the Namibian nation. All this anti-Owambo talk is highly dangerous and could lead to a tribally-based civil war that would destroy this country of ours. We cannot generalise about an entire language group in any way. The stereotypes must stop now. We must liberate ourselves from the mental apartheid of yesterday. And, in any case, any sober analysis must distinguish between the elite and the working people. Be that as it may, however, in the spirit of a democratic dialogue, we disagree with Ngurare on several issues. Tribalism has been around since political independence, but it has become a hot potato for Swapo only now because of the radicalisation taking place in the country due to the reparations debate. Swapo has lost the moral high ground and stares a revolt from a significant section of the population in the face due to its bad handling of the reparations question. The old arrogance about Swapo alone having brought political independence and – from the chauvinists – that only Oshiwambo-speakers fought for this ‘freedom’ – has been exposed as patently false against the background of the 1904 national war of anti-colonial resistance.A democratic dialogue should also admit to the role that Swapo plays in perpetuating the tribal identities, e.g. propping up the tribal authorities while countries like Tanzania and Mozambique refused to do this. In addition, there is undoubtedly a need to have an honest discussion about the continuing manipulation of (tribally-based) appointments by the right-wing of Swapo, the so-called Omusati clique. It is reasonable to argue that Swapo has failed to curb (and has promoted) tribalism in many areas of this society and that it has generally been unable to resolve the national question of this country. The Swapo policy of national reconciliation, if anything, has in practice led to silence about critical issues such as tribalism, while social inequality has gotten worse.Swapo no longer has the moral authority to lead such a nation-wide dialogue on a national question. Neither, incidentally, do the traditional leaders or the religious leaders of this country since they represent the past. Such a nation-wide conference on the national question could only be successful if it is done in a non-sectarian and all-inclusive manner. The national education conference of last year was a flop because it was headed by the same leadership that caused the crisis. We should not make the same mistake with another national conference.Ngurare seems to be confused about terminology when he refers to ‘a land of multi-ethnic tribes’. For us, Namibia is a land of one nation with many colours, languages and cultures. Indeed, we should celebrate our rich diversity.Unfortunately, that author also contradicts himself when he rightly criticises the black elite, but yet calls for a black nationalism (or an African nationalism). Black nationalism is walking its last historical mile. It has completed its historical function and an honest assessment of it shows its many limitations in particular in terms of feeding black chauvinism. Black nationalism is undoubtedly part of the problem of tribalism because of the thin line that separates the two. The less said about African nationalism the better. It has by and large been a conservative and reactionary political force. The political representatives of African nationalism do not care about the people and the elites have been unable to act in solidarity as can be witnessed by the ineffective continental union. If anything, the political representatives of the southern African region, for example, appear to be coordinating their repressive organs. African nationalism is just an empty shell.We should rather call for a Namibian nationalism. This would promote national unity and should be far more progressive than black or African nationalism. We should struggle for a non-tribal [and non-racial] Namibia. One Namibia, One Nation! R Kozonguizi and K BeukesWindhoek