Off Tangent

SWAPO shouldn’t play with fire.

This is especially worth noting when we commemorate important events such as Heroes’ Day, August 26, when Swapo fighters clashed with the colonists on Namibian soil in 1966. Let us remember their precious blood and their memories, and also the principles they fought for.One of the rallying calls in taking up arms was Swapo’s opposition to attempts at divide and rule.The liberation movement complained bitterly that the apartheid rulers were destroying traditional authorities and using them for political gain.How quickly we forget, it seems.In close to 15 years of independence, we have copied the “white minority racist apartheid regime” many times over.The Government, under Swapo, has demonstrated that it will not baulk at installing a chief when it is politically expedient for the ruling party.During the past two months, the Ministry of Regional, Local Government and Housing has announced the “recognition” of a new San or Bushman chief for the Hai//-om from the area and another for the Mafwe – within the already accepted Mafwe Traditional Authority.Both moves attracted criticism that the chiefs were accepted because of their known closeness to Swapo.In contrast, Government has for years refused to recognise a traditional authority for the Khwe in West Caprivi and a range of ethnic Herero leaders.Those who have applied contend that they were denied precisely because they were not affiliated to Swapo.President Sam Nujoma has been reported on several occasions as criticising the Khwe for having “collaborated” with apartheid soldiers as trackers against Swapo soldiers.In addition, the Hambukushu chief, Fumu Munyika Mbambo, who is a Swapo member has opposed the recognition of the Khwe.He says that they do not have land of their own and lived in the Mbukushu area, mainly as slaves, many years back.Apparently the same argument does not hold good for the Mafwe Traditional Authority under Chief George Simasiku Mamili.The Mafwe, from where former Democratic Turnhalle Alliance (DTA) leader Mishake Muyongo hails, were for long disliked by the ruling party for being largely followers of the opposition.Many Herero chiefs were also viewed in a similar light for the same reason.But this is, we hear, likely to change now that Herero paramount Chief Kauima Riruako has pulled Nudo (National Unity Democratic Organisation) out of the DTA and closer to Swapo.He may get concessions and have a selected few chiefs.This convenient way of anointing chiefs has been criticised by people, especially from the Mafwe area, as “nothing but a divide and rule tactic” that, in the words of Libonina Liswaniso, a supporter of Chief Mamili, remarked would “increase animosity which already exists in the area”.Some in the Caprivi and the Hai//-om of Tsintsabis even argue that the socalled new chiefs are not of royal blood.For metropolitan dwellers, turning a bouncer into a tribal chieftain is neither here nor there.But in rural areas, a kingdom or fiefdom is everything.Most Namibians live in rural areas and owe their allegiance to royalty.With party politics and elections in mind, it may seem attractive to have that allegiance aligned with your organisation.But tampering with tribal rule for votes is as short-term as building a house in flood plains.They say history is the best teacher, but it does not seem as if we have learnt from the past.In fact, it appears we have forgotten our own words when it was argued that party politics and traditional authorities should be kept apart as one would with oil and fire.Not to forget that laws and regulations should not be made to suit individuals or for short-term gains.That is a sure way of creating monsters for ourselves and generations to come.Swapo went through a lot to lead the country freedom.The ruling party, together with other Namibians, should continue to nurture peace and stability instead of stoking fires.Fire has a way of razing to the ground even its initiator.Let us remember their precious blood and their memories, and also the principles they fought for.One of the rallying calls in taking up arms was Swapo’s opposition to attempts at divide and rule.The liberation movement complained bitterly that the apartheid rulers were destroying traditional authorities and using them for political gain.How quickly we forget, it seems.In close to 15 years of independence, we have copied the “white minority racist apartheid regime” many times over.The Government, under Swapo, has demonstrated that it will not baulk at installing a chief when it is politically expedient for the ruling party.During the past two months, the Ministry of Regional, Local Government and Housing has announced the “recognition” of a new San or Bushman chief for the Hai//-om from the area and another for the Mafwe – within the already accepted Mafwe Traditional Authority.Both moves attracted criticism that the chiefs were accepted because of their known closeness to Swapo.In contrast, Government has for years refused to recognise a traditional authority for the Khwe in West Caprivi and a range of ethnic Herero leaders.Those who have applied contend that they were denied precisely because they were not affiliated to Swapo.President Sam Nujoma has been reported on several occasions as criticising the Khwe for having “collaborated” with apartheid soldiers as trackers against Swapo soldiers.In addition, the Hambukushu chief, Fumu Munyika Mbambo, who is a Swapo member has opposed the recognition of the Khwe.He says that they do not have land of their own and lived in the Mbukushu area, mainly as slaves, many years back.Apparently the same argument does not hold good for the Mafwe Traditional Authority under Chief George Simasiku Mamili.The Mafwe, from where former Democratic Turnhalle Alliance (DTA) leader Mishake Muyongo hails, were for long disliked by the ruling party for being largely followers of the opposition.Many Herero chiefs were also viewed in a similar light for the same reason.But this is, we hear, likely to change now that Herero paramount Chief Kauima Riruako has pulled Nudo (National Unity Democratic Organisation) out of the DTA and closer to Swapo.He may get concessions and have a selected few chiefs.This convenient way of anointing chiefs has been criticised by people, especially from the Mafwe area, as “nothing but a divide and rule tactic” that, in the words of Libonina Liswaniso, a supporter of Chief Mamili, remarked would “increase animosity which already exists in the area”.Some in the Caprivi and the Hai//-om of Tsintsabis even argue that the socalled new chiefs are not of royal blood.For metropolitan dwellers, turning a bouncer into a tribal chieftain is neither here nor there.But in rural areas, a kingdom or fiefdom is everything.Most Namibians live in rural areas and owe their allegiance to royalty.With party politics and elections in mind, it may seem attractive to have that allegiance aligned with your organisation.But tampering with tribal rule for votes is as short-term as building a house in flood plains.They say history is the best teacher, but it does not seem as if we have learnt from the past.In fact, it appears we have forgotten our own words when it was argued that party politics and traditional authorities should be kept apart as one would with oil and fire.Not to forget that laws and regulations should not be made to suit individuals or for short-term gains.That is a sure way of creating monsters for ourselves and generations to come.Swapo went through a lot to lead the country freedom.The ruling party, together with other Namibians, should continue to nurture peace and stability instead of stoking fires.Fire has a way of razing to the ground even its initiator.