Political Perspective

IN the past the speculation was always about a ‘split’ in Swapo between moderates and hardliners, but no one could have envisaged the divide would instead manifest along the lines of Swapo Youth League (SPYL) versus the establishment in the Party as is currently the case.

And perhaps it’s not a bad thing in itself, because Swapo reluctance to ‘discipline’ the youth cadre in the past has brought the ruling Party to this impasse, and they now either have to deal with the problem or allow the SPYL to dictate to Government. IN a public statement yesterday, the SPYL made clear in no uncertain terms that they want a direct say in Government.Accusing top political leadership of being “allergic” to the youth wing of the ruling party, they refer also to alleged “continued victimisation” of SPYL members by “some Cabinet Ministers and their preference to work exclusively with non-SPYL members”.This was an obvious reference to the fallout between Deputy Prime Minister Libertina Amathila and her personal assistant, Clinton Swartbooi, whom she accused of spending time on SPYL matters in his capacity as Acting Information and Mobilisation Secretary for Swapo, rather than on Government tasks he is paid for! Swartbooi is reportedly now on ‘special leave’ to decide whether he wants to be a youth activist or a Government official.There may be other examples.In the statement this week, the SPYL made the rather outrageous demand that “in future, all personal assistants and private secretaries of Cabinet Ministers must be based on the recommendation of Swapo” and so too, the assistants to all Swapo MPs! Effectively, that SPYL, in other words, should take over the tasks and functions of the Public Service Commission, which is supposed to oversee proper and fair recruitment to Government service from Permanent Secretary downwards! What possible reason could the SPYL have for making such demands? Are they saying that all SPYL members are entitled to jobs in Government service simply because they hold said membership cards? Or is their intention to ‘spy’ on Ministers? What disastrous consequences could acquiescence to such a request have on our public service? And above all else, why on earth does the leadership of Swapo continue to entertain, yet alone tolerate, political craziness of this kind? Another one of their harebrained schemes is to call on the President to establish a ‘Ministry of Religion’! In making such a demand, what is astonishing is their lack of knowledge about our Constitution and the fact that Namibia is a secular state.They have no right to demand that such a Ministry work only with what they call ‘legitimate’ (traditional) churches, which speaks volumes of intolerance towards people of other religious beliefs not necessarily Christian and not necessarily mainstream.In case they need reminding, our Constitution provides for freedom of religious thought, belief and practice, and they have no right to dictate otherwise.But while I take issue with the Youth League for many of their bizarre utterances and demands, I also blame lacklustre political leadership for allowing SPYL to develop such illusions of grandeur about their role and function in society.At one point it did appear as though President Pohamba was going to put them in their place; and in fact he did rebuke SPYL publicly about certain statements and then a hush descended and the criticism ceased fairly abruptly.Hopefully there is no truth in reports that a so-called ‘third force’ is behind the SPYL machinations, spurring them on to ever greater senselessness! The President has the power, both in his capacity of Head of State and leader of the ruling party, to take a stance as quickly as possible to avert anarchy.Is there coincidence in the fact that a couple of the SPYL hierarchy themselves are personal assistants to Ministers, and that some, including Swartbooi, have been put on cognisance about their work ethic? Implicit is their demand that Swapo membership be a ticket to sheltered employment and also promotion, regardless of how they perform?I venture to say that the President would get overwhelming support from all those who want Namibia to succeed as a country, if he decided to take a stand against SPYL.All but the truly reactionary in our midst would disagree with a strong stance for professionalism and commitment in the public service, and an outright rejection that political credentials – any political credentials – should play a role in employment.IN a public statement yesterday, the SPYL made clear in no uncertain terms that they want a direct say in Government.Accusing top political leadership of being “allergic” to the youth wing of the ruling party, they refer also to alleged “continued victimisation” of SPYL members by “some Cabinet Ministers and their preference to work exclusively with non-SPYL members”.This was an obvious reference to the fallout between Deputy Prime Minister Libertina Amathila and her personal assistant, Clinton Swartbooi, whom she accused of spending time on SPYL matters in his capacity as Acting Information and Mobilisation Secretary for Swapo, rather than on Government tasks he is paid for! Swartbooi is reportedly now on ‘special leave’ to decide whether he wants to be a youth activist or a Government official.There may be other examples.In the statement this week, the SPYL made the rather outrageous demand that “in future, all personal assistants and private secretaries of Cabinet Ministers must be based on the recommendation of Swapo” and so too, the assistants to all Swapo MPs! Effectively, that SPYL, in other words, should take over the tasks and functions of the Public Service Commission, which is supposed to oversee proper and fair recruitment to Government service from Permanent Secretary downwards! What possible reason could the SPYL have for making such demands? Are they saying that all SPYL members are entitled to jobs in Government service simply because they hold said membership cards? Or is their intention to ‘spy’ on Ministers? What disastrous consequences could acquiescence to such a request have on our public service? And above all else, why on earth does the leadership of Swapo continue to entertain, yet alone tolerate, political craziness of this kind? Another one of their harebrained schemes is to call on the President to establish a ‘Ministry of Religion’! In making such a demand, what is astonishing is their lack of knowledge about our Constitution and the fact that Namibia is a secular state.They have no right to demand that such a Ministry work only with what they call ‘legitimate’ (traditional) churches, which speaks volumes of intolerance towards people of other religious beliefs not necessarily Christian and not necessarily mainstream.In case they need reminding, our Constitution provides for freedom of religious thought, belief and practice, and they have no right to dictate otherwise.But while I take issue with the Youth League for many of their bizarre utterances and demands, I also blame lacklustre political leadership for allowing SPYL to develop such illusions of grandeur about their role and function in society.At one point it did appear as though President Pohamba was going to put them in their place; and in fact he did rebuke SPYL publicly about certain statements and then a hush descended and the criticism ceased fairly abruptly.Hopefully there is no truth in reports that a so-called ‘third force’ is behind the SPYL machinations, spurring them on to ever greater senselessness! The President has the power, both in his capacity of Head of State and leader of the ruling party, to take a stance as quickly as possible to avert anarchy.Is there coincidence in the fact that a couple of the SPYL hierarchy themselves are personal assistants to Ministers, and that some, including Swartbooi, have been put on cognisance about their work ethic? Implicit is their demand that Swapo membership be a ticket to sheltered employment and also promotion, regardless of how they perform?I venture to say that the President would get overwhelming support from all those who want Namibia to succeed as a country, if he decided to take a stand against SPYL.All but the truly reactionary in our midst would disagree with a strong stance for professionalism and commitment in the public service, and an outright rejection that political credentials – any political credentials – should play a role in employment.