Political Perspective

LEADERSHIP, or the lack thereof, is a subject we need to tackle seriously in this country and we have to look critically at all aspects of life to establish whether in fact we have people of calibre heading up Government – central, regional and local; institutions – both private and public; in fact all spheres.

A lack of leadership, or bad leadership, can seriously jeopardise a country’s chances of moving forward, and I believe this is precisely what is happening to a large extent right now. I HAVE dealt with, on several occasions, the top political leadership of this country which, in its present divisive form, is doing more harm than good, but I won’t dwell further on this here today.We are all familiar with what could be called the ‘tale of two presidents’! Let us look critically at the next level of Ministers and their deputies.The picture is only marginally better as only a few Ministers can be said to be focused on their work and their constituencies.In the main though, the picture is a depressing one.I don’t think things are properly thought through before potentially and damaging public statements are made.The most recent case that springs to mind is that of Deputy Lands Minister Isak Katali.Shooting off his mouth on a visit to Zimbabwe, he urged that Namibia emulate the ‘fine example’ set by President Robert Mugabe in taking back the land.The damage he may do to Namibia by this thoughtless statement, which at present, at least, does not seem in concert with Government policy on this issue, is almost immeasurable.In one way or another he has to be brought back into line, and serious damage control exercised by his superiors, but what kind of person is this and do we want such leaders who spread fear and fuel insecurities? The issue isn’t whether we undertake land reform, but the manner in which we do it to ensure justice for all in the process.Then we have Labour Minister Alpheus Naruseb, who is recently outspoken on the matter of what he refers to as the ‘contract labour’ system, where largely unemployed Namibians are hired on an informal basis to perform certain jobs, and saying that this practice should be outlawed.Managed, certainly; but outlawed? What kind of fool’s paradise is he living in? I have always been outspokenly in favour of a minimum wage, across the board, and if this hasn’t yet been done in all sectors, who is to blame but the Government he is part of? In the current Namibian economy, it is well-nigh impossible to ensure that every worker has a fulltime job with all the related benefits.What one needs to guard against is exploitation, but one cannot and should not prevent informal labour hire altogether.It’s not that I don’t agree with the sentiments he expresses, but I believe the whole matter needs to be thoroughly scrutinised before outright condemnation.There are many examples of where informally employed people have managed to get enough money together in this manner to start their own businesses, and we need to capitalise on the successes while outlawing the exploitative aspects.Also the same Government leaders, who express concern about the gap between rich and poor, aren’t transparent enough to expose as well as keep a lid on the huge pay packages given to the CEO sector! Then we can move down another level to regional and local government.Who are our representatives at the level of managing our regions and towns well? Are there any qualifications or criteria for such posts, or none at all? If the latter, then let us not be surprised by the ongoing debt and mismanagement situation that characterises so many of our municipalities, for example.I am sure a study will prove me correct.That mayors and town clerks and councillors with some education, qualifications and experience in the business sector, for example, will better manage the towns’ finances.We cannot afford to disregard the financial dilemma in many areas of governance.We can, of course, go ahead in the manner we are at present, looking only at short-term benefits, and slide further down the slippery slope; or we can think longer-term, in the interests of this country and all its people, and redefine, for example, affirmative action in the context of senior and leadership positions at all levels.I HAVE dealt with, on several occasions, the top political leadership of this country which, in its present divisive form, is doing more harm than good, but I won’t dwell further on this here today.We are all familiar with what could be called the ‘tale of two presidents’! Let us look critically at the next level of Ministers and their deputies.The picture is only marginally better as only a few Ministers can be said to be focused on their work and their constituencies.In the main though, the picture is a depressing one.I don’t think things are properly thought through before potentially and damaging public statements are made.The most recent case that springs to mind is that of Deputy Lands Minister Isak Katali.Shooting off his mouth on a visit to Zimbabwe, he urged that Namibia emulate the ‘fine example’ set by President Robert Mugabe in taking back the land.The damage he may do to Namibia by this thoughtless statement, which at present, at least, does not seem in concert with Government policy on this issue, is almost immeasurable.In one way or another he has to be brought back into line, and serious damage control exercised by his superiors, but what kind of person is this and do we want such leaders who spread fear and fuel insecurities? The issue isn’t whether we undertake land reform, but the manner in which we do it to ensure justice for all in the process.Then we have Labour Minister Alpheus Naruseb, who is recently outspoken on the matter of what he refers to as the ‘contract labour’ system, where largely unemployed Namibians are hired on an informal basis to perform certain jobs, and saying that this practice should be outlawed.Managed, certainly; but outlawed? What kind of fool’s paradise is he living in? I have always been outspokenly in favour of a minimum wage, across the board, and if this hasn’t yet been done in all sectors, who is to blame but the Government he is part of? In the current Namibian economy, it is well-nigh impossible to ensure that every worker has a fulltime job with all the related benefits.What one needs to guard against is exploitation, but one cannot and should not prevent informal labour hire altogether.It’s not that I don’t agree with the sentiments he expresses, but I believe the whole matter needs to be thoroughly scrutinised before outright condemnation.There are many examples of where informally employed people have managed to get enough money together in this manner to start their own businesses, and we need to capitalise on the successes while outlawing the exploitative aspects.Also the same Government leaders, who express concern about the gap between rich and poor, aren’t transparent enough to expose as well as keep a lid on the huge pay packages given to the CEO sector! Then we can move down another level to regional and local government.Who are our representatives at the level of managing our regions and towns well? Are there any qualifications or criteria for such posts, or none at all? If the latter, then let us not be surprised by the ongoing debt and mismanagement situation that characterises so many of our municipalities, for example.I am sure a study will prove me correct.That mayors and town clerks and councillors with some education, qualifications and experience in the business sector, for example, will better manage the towns’ finances.We cannot afford to disregard the financial dilemma in many areas of governance.We can, of course, go ahead in the manner we are at present, looking only at short-term benefits, and slide further down the slippery slope; or we can think longer-term, in the interests of this country and all its people, and redefine, for example, affirmative action in the context of senior and leadership positions at all levels.