Political Perspective

IT is positive that Government sees the need for working with civil society, usually represented by ‘non-governmental organisations’ as they are more commonly known.

It is equally positive that civil society agrees! Head of the National Planning Commission Helmuth Angula recently announced the drafting of a policy document to govern the formal partnership with a view to facilitating development, and more particularly, to work towards the realisation of the goals of Vision 2030. IT IS very important, however, that while Government works with civil society in order to develop our country, it does not seek to restrain or restrict the work of organisations represented in this sector.As with the Government-media relationship, there is a tendency for Government to develop hostility towards the NGO sector, often because this is where opposition to Government goals, policies and action takes place.What government would not like to have more control over civil society when they can be irksome at best? Civil society, for those unused to the term, is what largely constitutes the ‘non-pro?t’ sector of society – the groups and organisations which generally campaign on issues, from environmental rights to gender equality, humanitarian issues, animal protection and the likes.Many of the people employed or working voluntarily in such groups are activists and advocates, usually committed to ?ghting for one or other cause, and so can develop con?ictual relationships with Government, which in turn tends to view some (but not all) these NGOs as ‘hostile’.It is therefore a very positive thing that there is mutual recognition of one another, based on a need to work together for the country’s development and future.This is not to say, of course, that Government must expect NGOs to be obedient and toe the Government line.These do represent, in many cases, constituencies that Government itself may tend to ignore or overlook in the scheme of things: marginalised groups for example, whose views should be taken into account especially when planning the nation’s future.So even if Government may not like what it hears from the NGOs, it must be tolerant of these voices, and more than this, keep them in mind when mapping the country’s development.A group such as the National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) is commonly regarded as a thorn in the ?esh of Government because it campaigns on a wide variety of issues – usually, but not always, in a human rights context.But there are also times this group is supportive of Government policies and actions.The Legal Assistance Centre (LAC) is yet another important NGO which works in a number of areas pertinent primarily to rights-related issues, whether it be advocacy work on HIV-AIDS or research into the marginalisation of farm workers.These are some of the groups perceived by Government to have a ‘political’ agenda, but this is not always the case.The NSHR was certainly born of an anti-Swapo background, but has grown out of this to a large extent.But there are of course, many other NGOs, and they are an absolutely vital component of any civil society.In fact there can hardly be said to be civil society in countries where NGOs do not ?ourish and grow.It is so important to nurture a civil society, and Minister Angula shows there are now signs that Government intends, at least, to recognise their role in the development of our country, which is a very important step forward in my view.The point is not that they need to think or act in concert with one another, but instead interact and communicate for the betterment of society and the positive development of Namibia as a whole.These goals will undoubtedly be facilitated by more effective communication.So, a step forward for Government and NGOs, as acknowledged by the Chair of Nangof, Norman Tjombe.Next, perhaps, Government and the media?IT IS very important, however, that while Government works with civil society in order to develop our country, it does not seek to restrain or restrict the work of organisations represented in this sector.As with the Government-media relationship, there is a tendency for Government to develop hostility towards the NGO sector, often because this is where opposition to Government goals, policies and action takes place.What government would not like to have more control over civil society when they can be irksome at best? Civil society, for those unused to the term, is what largely constitutes the ‘non-pro?t’ sector of society – the groups and organisations which generally campaign on issues, from environmental rights to gender equality, humanitarian issues, animal protection and the likes.Many of the people employed or working voluntarily in such groups are activists and advocates, usually committed to ?ghting for one or other cause, and so can develop con?ictual relationships with Government, which in turn tends to view some (but not all) these NGOs as ‘hostile’.It is therefore a very positive thing that there is mutual recognition of one another, based on a need to work together for the country’s development and future.This is not to say, of course, that Government must expect NGOs to be obedient and toe the Government line.These do represent, in many cases, constituencies that Government itself may tend to ignore or overlook in the scheme of things: marginalised groups for example, whose views should be taken into account especially when planning the nation’s future.So even if Government may not like what it hears from the NGOs, it must be tolerant of these voices, and more than this, keep them in mind when mapping the country’s development.A group such as the National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) is commonly regarded as a thorn in the ?esh of Government because it campaigns on a wide variety of issues – usually, but not always, in a human rights context.But there are also times this group is supportive of Government policies and actions.The Legal Assistance Centre (LAC) is yet another important NGO which works in a number of areas pertinent primarily to rights-related issues, whether it be advocacy work on HIV-AIDS or research into the marginalisation of farm workers.These are some of the groups perceived by Government to have a ‘political’ agenda, but this is not always the case.The NSHR was certainly born of an anti-Swapo background, but has grown out of this to a large extent.But there are of course, many other NGOs, and they are an absolutely vital component of any civil society.In fact there can hardly be said to be civil society in countries where NGOs do not ?ourish and grow.It is so important to nurture a civil society, and Minister Angula shows there are now signs that Government intends, at least, to recognise their role in the development of our country, which is a very important step forward in my view.The point is not that they need to think or act in concert with one another, but instead interact and communicate for the betterment of society and the positive development of Namibia as a whole.These goals will undoubtedly be facilitated by more effective communication.So, a step forward for Government and NGOs, as acknowledged by the Chair of Nangof, Norman Tjombe.Next, perhaps, Government and the media?