Kazenambo Neglected The Ethics Of His Ministry On Prostitution

IN his book, ‘The Society of Individuals’, the German sociologist Norbert Elias intones that self-restraint, as a trait built over time into the habits of individuals, is by and large the essence of civilisation.

In the normal course of human interaction and conduct, self-restraint may mean an inordinate dose of hypocrisy. By and large, the instantiation of social cohesion in any given society demands hypocrisy. These two norms – hypocrisy and self-restraint do not only guide our morality, but they also drive our ethical choices when faced with hard cases. The current discussion about whether to legalise (or not to legalise) prostitution is undoubtedly an ethical one. I frame it in terms of ethics because democratic societies don’t have the right or wrong answers. The debate is never closed. While I am hesitantly in favour of legalising prostitution, I take a different attitude with regard to the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture making an ethical choice in favour of prostitution. When ministers or public officials pronounce themselves in favour of this or that policy, there ought to be an inherent ethical dimension. However, the forceful disclaimer with regard to Kazenambo does not necessarily apply to the ethical choice he ought to take as an individual. A strict commitment to reason and analytical rigour in light of Kazenambo’s comments can only be argued within the context of the position he holds. It is here where the two norms of hypocrisy and self-restraint would gain currency. Why are they relevant with regard to Kazenambo in this matter? They are relevant because Kazenambo represents three crucial constituencies: youth, sport and culture. We could use these three constituencies as canon-fodder to explain why the Minister made the wrong ethical choice by pronouncing himself in favour of legalising prostitution. To put it bluntly, what I am saying here is that Kazenambo should have exercised the two norms of self-restraint and hypocrisy given the position he holds. After all, social cohesion is norm-dependant. We have to respect our parents, elders, clergymen and leaders even at moments when we feel that they are not worthy of our respect. In short, we have to exercise self-restraint and a good dose of hypocrisy. The expectations that we have of our Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture are of such a nature that he must at all times assume and speak the high-ground allowing for the grounding of ethical Namibian citizens. This is the central mission of his ministry. The values instantiating ethical citizens are grounded in our respective cultures. Moreover, sport is also a means of constituting young people who are disciplined and focused on socially cohesive goals. Enter prostitution: There are no Namibian cultural values or norms condoning prostitution. In short, the act of prostitution (even as a profession) is considered a vice, hence the criminalisation of the act. We may be tempted to bring it into the mainstream of our society by decriminalising it. The legalisation thereof is not an attempt to normalise or rehabilitate it as a ‘profession’ – it is simply a means of dealing with the worst excesses related to an underground industry. Even so, it would remain a socially and morally reprehensible enterprise. In light of these arguments, on what side of the ethical Potomac should the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture be when it comes to this debate? What ethical choice is available to Kazenambo given his constituencies and their role in nurturing ethical citizens? Certainly, the ethicality of the Minister was challenged when faced with the hard case on prostitution. The temptation for the Minister was to pronounce on the matter in a manner satisfying his inner impulses. The other ethical choice – of speaking against prostitution, might have been a betrayal of authenticity and individuality on the matter. Admittedly, it would have been an out-of-body experience for a man who is oftentimes known for speaking his heart. Alas, in framing a view for the legalisation of prostitution, Kazenambo left his three key constituencies in the orphanage. He appears not to have given the issue the deep reflection that is expected from a Minister holding such a portfolio. It would not be credible, nor would it be audible for the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture to tell young people to stay away from prostitution (which is an expectation of his job), while at the same time demonstrating to legalise and normalise it as a profession. The overriding emphasis here is one of saying that as a minister in charge of these portfolios, his ethical choices concerning the debate about prostitution are limited. He only has one of two contingent options: exercise self-restraint by not speaking on the matter (which could be irritating for KK), or take the hypocritical view by arguing against the legalisation of prostitution (also irritating for KK). Still, for Kazenambo to argue the contrary as he did, was to function outside and neglect the ethical parameters of his position and role as Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport. Alfredo Tjiurimo Hengari is a PhD fellow in political science at the University of Paris-Panthéon Sorbonne, France. He currently teaches political science (international politics) at the University of Cape Town, South Africa.