Political Perspective

IT MAY sound like a contradiction in terms, but while Namibia has a multiplicity of political parties, it is starved of sound alternative choices which truly embrace a rights-based agenda and progressive policies.

This is not to say there are not those which attempt to do so, but they lack significant popular appeal.

This week, yet another party entered the fray. Known as the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF), the group just got back from South Africa where they sought and obtained affiliation with Julius Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), to the extent that they adopted the same regalia, arriving back on home soil resplendent in red overalls and berets. They do not, however, necessarily talk the same language.

Mostly derisive comments about ‘copycats’ among others, on the social media forum Twitter, greeted the announcement of the new party. While I urged, prior to their return to the country, that NEFF at least be given a chance to reveal their intentions, they more than made these clear with their immediate, vigorous and blatantly homophobic stance, among others.

‘Copycats’ they are to a large extent, but not entirely. While they, broadly speaking, conform with the EFF agenda, I doubt that Malema can afford to have a ‘sister’ party, as it has been called, which goes against the stated policies of EFF in terms of sexual tolerance. EFF have pronounced themselves clearly on the issue, and NEFF’s vitriol about homosexuality is clearly at odds with this. So at some point EFF is going to have to decide about the advisability of its linkage with a group whose actions may in the future embarrass the ‘mother’ party, and Malema will then have to account. I can’t help but wonder whether EFF were simply flattered into acquiescence before they had a chance to think it through.

In both pre- and post-colonial Namibia, opposition political parties have generally formed themselves around individuals rather than policies. This has resulted in a badly fragmented kind of pluralism, where alliance-forming is made more difficult due mainly to individual designs on leadership. NEFF appears to be no different, and there’s already concern about the calibre of those currently in the forefront, although they still remain to be tested.

This is not a grassroots movement, formed as it has been in consultation with groupings in other African capitals, but it will probably have populist appeal in its anti-capitalist, anti-imperialist stance. Its Malema association is one thing, but the Ugandan connection seems a lot more sinister, especially given the group has said it has been pledged ‘millions’ by anti-gay organisations in that country to kick-start NEFF. Uganda leads the way in Africa on shockingly draconian anti-gay legislation and obviously some influence has been exerted in this regard.

Strange also that a party which condemns the Swapo government for foreign influences and preference for outsiders, such as the Chinese, is, on its own admission, being guided and conceivably bankrolled by non-Namibians.

Namibia’s democracy has always needed a viable opposition to Swapo, mainly to keep the ruling party on its toes and to promote accountability and transparency through a strong party which asks tough questions and isn’t quite as amenable and cooperative as the others currently in parliament. But it should preferably be an opposition that is rights-based, standing up for the poor and marginalised, but also with leaders who are able to set an example with exemplary behaviour, are transparent and accountable at all times. This prospect is clearly wishful thinking right now, and I’m not convinced that even if such a group came into being, that people would pledge their support and gravitate to it en masse, obsessed as they are with cult figures and populist agendas.

NEFF has shown its political colours already. I’m concerned not with the ‘outside’ Malema-connection as much as the paramilitary image and titles such as ‘commander-in-chief’. These combine to show a certain obsession with pomp and power and may, unfortunately, appeal to those attracted by precisely this facade as well as the rhetoric and reactionary pronouncements about gays and foreigners.

Follow me on Twitter @GwenLister1

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