Political Perspective

WHILE many of our ‘wishes’ for Namibia for the New Year, which would include things like economic prosperity, a reduction of the crime rate and less unemployment, may seem unattainable, at least in an immediate sense, there are some things within our grasp, that we can work on now, and these include us becoming more humane and caring than we are at present.

Achieving a ‘good society’ does not require budgets, resources, workshops, strategic plans and other devices. It requires a people who are committed to peace and security, and who refrain from harming or oppressing one another, or any living being for that matter.MOST people prefer good news.Or so they say.But it is up to them/us to make it so.It is our often unenviable task as journalists to show our world the way it really is, warts and all.People need more self-scrutiny.We talk about democracy and say we are, but we need to live out the expression in the true sense of the word.The Namibia we live in currently cannot be said to be a ‘good society’.A review of the year’s news will demonstrate that what I say is in fact the case.We have this year witnessed horrific actions of violence against women and children; we have heard of a multiplicity of cases of corruption and theft and abuse of public office, and there’s more, much more, to add to the list.We cannot hope that things will spontaneously change for the better, because they won’t.Not unless we work at it.Those Namibians who do want to live in a world where peace, security and freedom prevail should waste no time to take action and even make sacrifices to achieve this ideal.There is no universal forum for good people and political parties, and most religions, don’t qualify in my view.There are of course exceptions in our midst: good people who embrace principles such as sincerity, compassion, truthfulness, justice, honesty, mercy, tolerance, fairness …among others.But in our case, this is probably one of the smallest minority groups.Indifference is as bad as evil.If we are good and conscientious individuals, then we will not turn the other cheek to violence, pain and suffering, cruelty, tyranny, corruption, hatred, poverty and injustice.Even though they are not organised, the ‘good’ among us will naturally align in good deeds in order to fight these evils.And the few can make a difference.There are many examples of how things could have turned out differently had someone taken a stand.Many have because people did.I cannot help thinking of the case of the recent murder in Katutura of Fenny Ipinge.A neighbour heard her call his name, but obviously chose not to intervene.Things just might have turned out differently if he had done so.There are many people who have had knowledge of wrongdoing, be it theft, or cruelty or victimisation or injustice.In choosing not to act, they have been accessories to wrongdoing.They cannot exonerate themselves by saying they couldn’t have changed things or made a difference, because they didn’t even try.One’s inner voice or conscience should be a guide in such situations.It does not constitute ‘interference’ if you take a stance against wrongdoing.Many excuse their inaction or indifference by saying they didn’t want to interfere.This is unacceptable.If we want to change things, we need to take a stand.It does not necessarily earn popularity, but sometimes sacrifice is required for the greater good of society.I am often struck by how uncaring we can be.We do see good – people and companies giving, for example, to good causes like charities, old-age homes, vulnerable children, but sometimes these acts are marketing tools.It is a time of year when those who have can afford to give to others less fortunate.Whether it is a few coins to a car guard who is trying to make an honest living; or a donation in cash or kind to a good cause, especially the forgotten members of our society.Everyone can make a contribution, all the time.Act against cruelty and inhumane treatment of all living beings, human and animal alike.The teacher who turns aside from the obvious bruising of a pupil who is perhaps being abused by a parent; the neighbour who ignores the howls of neglected animals whose uncaring owners have simply left on holiday; the child who ignores the suffering of an elderly parent – all of those who turn the other cheek have become oppressors themselves.Neither should acting according to one’s conscience be a gesture that we deploy only at this time of the year.We should live our lives this way in order to reach the most desirable goal of being a ‘good society’.Let’s do it for 2007.It requires a people who are committed to peace and security, and who refrain from harming or oppressing one another, or any living being for that matter.MOST people prefer good news.Or so they say.But it is up to them/us to make it so.It is our often unenviable task as journalists to show our world the way it really is, warts and all.People need more self-scrutiny.We talk about democracy and say we are, but we need to live out the expression in the true sense of the word.The Namibia we live in currently cannot be said to be a ‘good society’.A review of the year’s news will demonstrate that what I say is in fact the case.We have this year witnessed horrific actions of violence against women and children; we have heard of a multiplicity of cases of corruption and theft and abuse of public office, and there’s more, much more, to add to the list.We cannot hope that things will spontaneously change for the better, because they won’t.Not unless we work at it.Those Namibians who do want to live in a world where peace, security and freedom prevail should waste no time to take action and even make sacrifices to achieve this ideal.There is no universal forum for good people and political parties, and most religions, don’t qualify in my view.There are of course exceptions in our midst: good people who embrace principles such as sincerity, compassion, truthfulness, justice, honesty, mercy, tolerance, fairness …among others.But in our case, this is probably one of the smallest minority groups.Indifference is as bad as evil.If we are good and conscientious individuals, then we will not turn the other cheek to violence, pain and suffering, cruelty, tyranny, corruption, hatred, poverty and injustice.Even though they are not organised, the ‘good’ among us will naturally align in good deeds in order to fight these evils.And the few can make a difference.There are many examples of how things could have turned out differently had someone taken a stand.Many have because people did.I cannot help thinking of the case of the recent murder in Katutura of Fenny Ipinge.A neighbour heard her call his name, but obviously chose not to intervene.Things just might have turned out differently if he had done so.There are many people who have had knowledge of wrongdoing, be it theft, or cruelty or victimisation or injustice.In choosing not to act, they have been accessories to wrongdoing.They cannot exonerate themselves by saying they couldn’t have changed things or made a difference, because they didn’t even try.One’s inner voice or conscience should be a guide in such situations.It does not constitute ‘interference’ if you take a stance against wrongdoing.Many excuse their inaction or indifference by saying they didn’t want to interfere.This is unacceptable.If we want to change things, we need to take a stand.It does not necessarily earn popularity, but sometimes sacrifice is required for the greater good of society.I am often struck by how uncaring we can be.We do see good – people and companies giving, for example, to good causes like charities, old-age homes, vulnerable children, but sometimes these acts are marketing tools.It is a time of year when those who have can afford to give to others less fortunate.Whether it is a few coins to a car guard who is trying to make an honest living; or a donation in cash or kind to a good cause, especially the forgotten members of our society.Everyone can make a contribution, all the time.Act against cruelty and inhumane treatment of all living beings, human and animal ali
ke.The teacher who turns aside from the obvious bruising of a pupil who is perhaps being abused by a parent; the neighbour who ignores the howls of neglected animals whose uncaring owners have simply left on holiday; the child who ignores the suffering of an elderly parent – all of those who turn the other cheek have become oppressors themselves.Neither should acting according to one’s conscience be a gesture that we deploy only at this time of the year.We should live our lives this way in order to reach the most desirable goal of being a ‘good society’.Let’s do it for 2007.