RUKEE TJINGAETEWHENEVER tribalism in Namibia is debated, people aggressively jump to the conclusion that one is playing a tribal card without considering the context of the argument. We are reminded of its devastation in Rwanda and other African countries where millions of citizens have lost their lives. Therefore, we are cautioned and even warned. However, we tend to ignore that tribalism is not only manifested in civil wars, but in other forms that deprive people of their livelihoods.
Namibia today suffers the ever-lingering effect of the South African regime’s institutionalised policy of apartheid, which used tribal identity to divide and rule citizens. Despite our denial of its pervasive historical impact, it continues to manifest itself in tribal politics that seem to advance corruption based on tribal solidarity and regionalism (like the bantustan policy of homelands for different tribes).
In Namibia, just as in some corrupt African countries, gangs looting state resources form empowerment companies based purely on tribal solidarity and regional identity.
Records can be obtained from the Registrar of Companies at the Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade.
Do we deny that when we form empowerment companies to apply for tenders, we first ask ourselves: (i) Who from my region and tribe can I approach for partnership? (ii) Who shares my political views? (iii) How are we related in order to advance our common family interests? (iv) Do we share the same political affiliation?
The rationale is to keep corrupt entitlement under the carpet: Ethnic, regional or political outsiders may not be trusted as they may not be 100% loyal to the so-called empowerment entity established using these criteria.
The question then is how to address this without offending the majority of Namibians who hate corruption – irrespective of tribe and region? How best can we arrest the ugly face of tribalised, politicised and regionalised corruption?
Firstly, we must appreciate that those who plunder state resources are a small majority, infected with the bacteria of tribalism, regionalism and corruption. They do not represent any interest other than that of their own swollen bellies.
Secondly, we must address tribalism in such a way that it does not blind us to becoming propagators and victims of its manifestations.
Thirdly, we must admit that we are psychologically enslaved by historical and institutionalised tribalism clinically applied through South Africa’s homeland policy. We can claim that we have changed since independence, but many still harbour tribal solidarity.
I am tempted to postulate that Namibia’s history of tribal politics might have unconsciously resulted in a tribal-based hegemony and narratives that protect tribal solidarity and corruption at the highest levels. Accept it or not, Namibia’s political landscape is, unfortunately, structured along ethnic interests (before and after independence).
The policy of national reconciliation appears to be a convenient slogan because the pervasive impact of ethnicity imposed to divide and rule Namibians remains. This claim can be evidenced in the many tribal-based political parties or formations that seem to derive their votes from a strong ethnic base that advocates parochial ethnic interests.
The recent parliamentary and presidential elections are a case in point. For example, when politicians canvass for votes house-to-house in remote local traditional authority areas, they appeal to tribal sentiments to gain support from the chiefs and their followers.
How then should we fight tribalised corruption?
• Reject the registration of empowerment companies whose membership and boards reflect tribal identity and regionalism.
• Caution the appointment of high-ranking officials in the government such as ministers, deputy ministers, executive directors, directors and their deputies, as well as top managerial structures of state-owned enterprises (SOEs), from the same ethnic group, as this has proven to be the cardinal source of nepotism-based tribal solidarity that feeds into corrupt practices.
• Reject the rationale of politically based tenderpreneurship that is used as a mask for corrupt foreign-investment schemes and to support selected political parties using taxpayers’ money (e.g. the Fishrot corruption scandal).
• Consider how much money is involved in these schemes for a country that is bankrupt (e.g. the questionable N$5,3 billion for an oil-storage facility that smacks of an oil-rot scandal). How do you explain N$700 million lost on currency fluctuations under a system that plans to avoid financial losses?
• Do not issue tenders or consider applications from previously empowered companies unless the new applicants lack skills and capacity (e.g. the recent attempt by minister of fisheries and marine resources Albert Kawana to reward Fishcor with a new quota).
• Consider what benefits these empowerment companies hold for the majority of citizens who don’t stand to gain from these schemes (e.g. the questionable N$300 million given to a company to ‘evaluate’ the quality of diamonds for export that smacks of a diamond-rot scandal). Most Namibians have not seen even the most minimal benefit from the mineral sector. The efforts by Tom Alweendo to take stock of the sector have been exemplary.
• The managerial structure of SOEs should be reviewed to determine if political nepotism (mediocrity rather than meritocracy) determines employment to executive positions.
In conclusion, I would argue that the promotion of tribal politics generally advances tribal hegemony that feeds nepotism, regionalism, tribal solidarity and corruption. The solution is to seriously consider the advice of the state president that this year should be the year of introspection and grab the opportunity to honestly, and without fear, address issues we prefer to ignore on the pretext of peace and stability. The art of pretence – that everything is fine – will not solve the country’s emerging challenges.
We will succeed in keeping the Republic of Namibia together by being frank and honest in speaking the truth, because it will liberate us.
I take my hat off to Namibian newspapers that continue to expose corruption.
They are the champions of our democracy compared to parliament and the other pillars of state that have not been effective in fighting corruption.
