Political Perspective

AS 2005 draws to a close, all Namibians, from the President down, need to evaluate themselves if they haven’t done so already. Who do I say this? Because in virtually all respects we really haven’t got things off the ground in most key areas in our country, and successes and achievements, as well as individuals who’ve made a difference, are hard to come by.

At best, mediocrity has triumphed, and we simply haven’t been the best we could be. THE first citizen, President Hifikepunye Pohamba, for example, didn’t really get his act together.This is unfortunate because he’s been given all the space and encouragement that he’s needed to do so, at least by the majority of the population, and even the media to a very large extent.He’s said nice, placatory things, and he’s kept the peace, but we need more than that to drive the country forward.It’s a disease that is manifest from the highest echelons down: a distinct lack of leadership, accountability, responsibility and a serious work ethic.Plenty of talkers, but few doers.In Cabinet, Parliament; from parastatals to private sector; from organisations to individual workers.Who can tally their scores and say they’ve made a difference? Examples are numerous.The cancerous corruption that has eaten away at State-owned enterprises, for example, has not been contained yet.There are many people who have let down not only their own organisations and their country, but also themselves, and still they continue to, if not flourish, then at least live well off the proceeds of ill-gotten gains.The country’s unions, too, are in a shambles.Their obsession with who supports whom in ruling party politics has led them to take actions that contradict the aims and objectives of the very labour movements they represent.They are plagued by hypocrisy and even ignorance.And if one compares their posturing press conferences on worker dismissals with their own draconian actions toward union employees, one cannot but query their selective morality! When workers the world over are mobilising around the controversial World Trade Organisation talks, our unions are silent, their offices closed, the employees on annual leave! It is not a phenomenon that is restricted to Government alone.It is all-pervasive in Namibia.From the MP who knows he hasn’t done a single day of hard work, and whose sole contribution has been meaningless waffle on subjects he knows little or nothing about; to the cleaner who spends hours leaning on a broom gossiping with colleagues in a hospital facility that poses health risks for the very patients it purports to cure; to the CEO who takes three months’ leave from the organisation he is paid lavishly to head; we are beset by a malaise that is destroying the very fibre of our society.There is nothing wrong with ambition.But there is something wrong with those, black and white, who feel they are ENTITLED! Used to be one had to work hard at your job to improve skills and productivity to get promoted and in turn earn a higher salary.These are the most productive members of society.Those who have worked their way up the ladder, regardless of their skills and qualifications, and no matter the colour of their skin.They’ve learned the hard way and it hasn’t all been handed to them on a plate.Unfortunately, today, one can get a top post, with all the frills and a big title, when you don’t know how to do a job of work yet! Can such a person to make a contribution to anything but the downfall and demise of a company or organisation, and ultimately, a country? More worrying still is the fact that our youth have no role models except those who have it all in material terms, and God help you if you dare to question the cost of their house or the size of their car! They’re ENTITLED, after all! At the end of the day, no one can begrudge a person who’s worked hard for what they have; who’s burned the midnight oil, learned the practical aspects of whatever trade or profession they are in and who has made a solid and positive contribution.But we continue to throw money at greedy and undeserving recipients.Pohamba must take ownership of his Presidency.And others, in whatever profession or job, should follow suit.There’s no substitute for hard work, honesty and commitment to get ahead in life.Crime may seem to pay in the short term but it will eventually exact a high price.The nation as a whole can no longer afford to pay it.THE first citizen, President Hifikepunye Pohamba, for example, didn’t really get his act together.This is unfortunate because he’s been given all the space and encouragement that he’s needed to do so, at least by the majority of the population, and even the media to a very large extent.He’s said nice, placatory things, and he’s kept the peace, but we need more than that to drive the country forward.It’s a disease that is manifest from the highest echelons down: a distinct lack of leadership, accountability, responsibility and a serious work ethic.Plenty of talkers, but few doers.In Cabinet, Parliament; from parastatals to private sector; from organisations to individual workers.Who can tally their scores and say they’ve made a difference? Examples are numerous.The cancerous corruption that has eaten away at State-owned enterprises, for example, has not been contained yet.There are many people who have let down not only their own organisations and their country, but also themselves, and still they continue to, if not flourish, then at least live well off the proceeds of ill-gotten gains.The country’s unions, too, are in a shambles.Their obsession with who supports whom in ruling party politics has led them to take actions that contradict the aims and objectives of the very labour movements they represent.They are plagued by hypocrisy and even ignorance.And if one compares their posturing press conferences on worker dismissals with their own draconian actions toward union employees, one cannot but query their selective morality! When workers the world over are mobilising around the controversial World Trade Organisation talks, our unions are silent, their offices closed, the employees on annual leave! It is not a phenomenon that is restricted to Government alone.It is all-pervasive in Namibia.From the MP who knows he hasn’t done a single day of hard work, and whose sole contribution has been meaningless waffle on subjects he knows little or nothing about; to the cleaner who spends hours leaning on a broom gossiping with colleagues in a hospital facility that poses health risks for the very patients it purports to cure; to the CEO who takes three months’ leave from the organisation he is paid lavishly to head; we are beset by a malaise that is destroying the very fibre of our society.There is nothing wrong with ambition.But there is something wrong with those, black and white, who feel they are ENTITLED! Used to be one had to work hard at your job to improve skills and productivity to get promoted and in turn earn a higher salary.These are the most productive members of society.Those who have worked their way up the ladder, regardless of their skills and qualifications, and no matter the colour of their skin.They’ve learned the hard way and it hasn’t all been handed to them on a plate.Unfortunately, today, one can get a top post, with all the frills and a big title, when you don’t know how to do a job of work yet! Can such a person to make a contribution to anything but the downfall and demise of a company or organisation, and ultimately, a country? More worrying still is the fact that our youth have no role models except those who have it all in material terms, and God help you if you dare to question the cost of their house or the size of their car! They’re ENTITLED, after all! At the end of the day, no one can begrudge a person who’s worked hard for what they have; who’s burned the midnight oil, learned the practical aspects of whatever trade or profession they are in and who has made a solid and positive contribution.But we continue to throw money at greedy and undeserving recipients.Pohamba must take ownership of his Presidency.And others, in whatever profe
ssion or job, should follow suit.There’s no substitute for hard work, honesty and commitment to get ahead in life.Crime may seem to pay in the short term but it will eventually exact a high price.The nation as a whole can no longer afford to pay it.