Political perspective

I’M AFRAID the hopes of those who had high expectations of the ‘new’ Government are not going to be realised by the end of March, one year after President Hifikepunye Pohamba assumed office and appointed a new Prime Minister and Cabinet, promising a ‘wind of change’ which has not materialised as yet.

Why, many are asking, the lack of political will and lethargy that seems to be so prevalent in Government as a whole? TWO possible reasons immediately spring to mind: what could be termed the ‘Nujoma factor’ on the one hand, and the massive disunity in the ruling party on the other. But for how long can we excuse Pohamba’s inaction on the grounds of the Founding Father’s apparent reluctance to relinquish his Swapo presidency to the head of state? The same argument would apply to those who may claim the President’s lack of action is due to a fear of appearing to side with one or the other clear faction in the ranks of the ruling party; or a desire to bridge the divide by being as unconfrontational as possible.Neither excuse can be tolerated for too much longer – Pohamba simply has to move beyond the admittedly fairly crippling restraints on his power and assert himself for the general and greater good of the country.There are of course, other things which may be influencing his inactivity.He is in all likelihood a one-term President who doesn’t want to rock the boat to any great extent.He’s generally ‘Mr Nice Guy’, unlike his predecessor, and his character shies away from confrontation of any kind.This was evident from the outset in the compromise Cabinet he put in place after his inauguration.A ‘keep-the-peace’ arrangement.No, or few, new faces.He’s been given nearly a year of grace in which to bring about change and decisive democratic leadership.Critics have berated the former President for confusing the issue as to who’s really in charge and thus clearly hampering the goals of the incumbent.That’s all true.But now things are coming to the point where people question whether President Pohamba himself is in fact really capable of guiding and managing the country towards good governance, which is so sorely needed.The Prime Minister too, despite the best of intentions and and an apparent will to bring about change, doesn’t quite make the difference that is needed.The top leadership in Government remains in a largely incestuous relationship.Those who want change find difficulty in breaking the mould that decades of comradeship has brought about, and so the ‘fear factor’ continues and contributes to the lack of political will and action in senior ranks.Inaction by the Executive in taking to task the Minister of Local Government and Housing because he failed to adhere to Cabinet instructions to charge those in Caprivi responsible for allowing drought food aid to rot, is an example in point.We cannot move forward while the patronage system continues to be in force in Government ranks.So it is with some dismay that one is forced to admit change has not come about in any significant ways since President Pohamba took power.It is difficult to assess if it will happen at all in his remaining four years in office.We have, and will continue to encourage him to exert leadership.He is not a bad man but at present he is an ineffective one.Those watching from the wings are also already speculating whether the former President and Founding Father will make a comeback in the future.Certainly, the campaign for President-for-life of the Party is underway on his behalf.This is clearly something that will bedevil, not only the Pohamba Presidency, but those who will follow him as well.Hopefully, President Pohamba will find a way through the constraints that are facing him.It would be a pity if he is unable, at the very least, to make true on his promises of zero tolerance for corruption.He said all the right things on many occasions and most recently, when he addressed permanent secretaries earlier this week, but now he has to DO the right things as well.But for how long can we excuse Pohamba’s inaction on the grounds of the Founding Father’s apparent reluctance to relinquish his Swapo presidency to the head of state? The same argument would apply to those who may claim the President’s lack of action is due to a fear of appearing to side with one or the other clear faction in the ranks of the ruling party; or a desire to bridge the divide by being as unconfrontational as possible.Neither excuse can be tolerated for too much longer – Pohamba simply has to move beyond the admittedly fairly crippling restraints on his power and assert himself for the general and greater good of the country.There are of course, other things which may be influencing his inactivity.He is in all likelihood a one-term President who doesn’t want to rock the boat to any great extent.He’s generally ‘Mr Nice Guy’, unlike his predecessor, and his character shies away from confrontation of any kind.This was evident from the outset in the compromise Cabinet he put in place after his inauguration.A ‘keep-the-peace’ arrangement.No, or few, new faces.He’s been given nearly a year of grace in which to bring about change and decisive democratic leadership.Critics have berated the former President for confusing the issue as to who’s really in charge and thus clearly hampering the goals of the incumbent.That’s all true.But now things are coming to the point where people question whether President Pohamba himself is in fact really capable of guiding and managing the country towards good governance, which is so sorely needed.The Prime Minister too, despite the best of intentions and and an apparent will to bring about change, doesn’t quite make the difference that is needed.The top leadership in Government remains in a largely incestuous relationship.Those who want change find difficulty in breaking the mould that decades of comradeship has brought about, and so the ‘fear factor’ continues and contributes to the lack of political will and action in senior ranks.Inaction by the Executive in taking to task the Minister of Local Government and Housing because he failed to adhere to Cabinet instructions to charge those in Caprivi responsible for allowing drought food aid to rot, is an example in point.We cannot move forward while the patronage system continues to be in force in Government ranks.So it is with some dismay that one is forced to admit change has not come about in any significant ways since President Pohamba took power.It is difficult to assess if it will happen at all in his remaining four years in office.We have, and will continue to encourage him to exert leadership.He is not a bad man but at present he is an ineffective one.Those watching from the wings are also already speculating whether the former President and Founding Father will make a comeback in the future.Certainly, the campaign for President-for-life of the Party is underway on his behalf.This is clearly something that will bedevil, not only the Pohamba Presidency, but those who will follow him as well.Hopefully, President Pohamba will find a way through the constraints that are facing him.It would be a pity if he is unable, at the very least, to make true on his promises of zero tolerance for corruption.He said all the right things on many occasions and most recently, when he addressed permanent secretaries earlier this week, but now he has to DO the right things as well.