Silence Is Not Always Golden

SILENCE is not always golden, as the saying goes.

Sometimes it is perceived as affirmation of the wrongs in society, ours in particular. And as our country’s leadership feels free to speak out about the scourge of corruption, the spread of AIDS and the proliferation of crime, so too should they speak out against intolerance, wherever it manifests itself.When we speak of leadership, we speak of our Head of State, Hifikepunye Pohamba, but not exclusively so.While he is at the helm, and therefore his voice is often the most prominent, the concept of leadership applies across the spectrum.And these voices are largely silent on the question of intolerance.Our former President, for example, who has kept his own counsel for many months now, is apparently due to break his silence when he addresses a rally in the North over the weekend.As he is known to have an overwhelmingly strong following among Namibians, and exerts unquestionable influence over the rank and file of Swapo, we hope he will make use of this opportunity to call on compatriots not to indulge in the politics of witch-hunts and victimisation, simply because some people chose to form a new political party.His words, if he chooses to exercise true leadership and make such a call, will certainly be heeded.And he is, after all, the architect of the policy of reconciliation.Likewise our incumbent President, when faced with reports of threats towards those working in the civil service and deciding to find a new political home, should state his case loud and clear – namely that this will not be tolerated.But it is not only the present and former heads of state who should use their influence to ensure that Namibians comply with the requirements of our Constitution, but the leaders of other political parties too should refrain from entering the fray and encourage their supporters to follow suit.Again, we do not know what the leaders of the newly formed Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) plan to make their platform at their inaugural rally in Katutura over the weekend, but we trust that they too will concentrate on what they hope to do for Namibia rather than sling mud at their erstwhile political allies.There are those who will dismiss calls for tolerance and who will continue to spearhead campaigns to smear and discredit their opponents, but we should ensure the people know that they are marginal and maverick voices, without support in the country as a whole to carry their fight forward.And the media should ensure they get no more voice than they deserve, for the outcome could be devastating for our democracy.We see the huge effects of destructive conflict in countries other than our own, and most of us do not want to revert to an era where instability becomes the order of the day.Hopefully our church leaders too, whose silence is perhaps even more unacceptable than the political leadership of the day, will find their voices once again to appeal for calm and rational debate and discussion and yes, even divergence.For this is the true test of leadership – to lead supporters and followers out of the darkness and into the light, and in so doing, to both promote and strengthen our democracy.There is room for a variety of views, and we should not try to silence that which is different.It is therefore important that our leaders take up this challenge to discourage intimidation and threats of any kind.If they are unable to do this, they do not deserve the positions they occupy, largely because the electorate gave them the mandate to lead.We hope therefore to hear conciliatory words from the upper echelons, and avert things getting out of control.Likewise, our people themselves should exert discipline, even under pressure, and accept tolerance as the order of the day.Lively and critical debate is always welcome, but open conflict can only be debilitating to all of us who call this country home.And as our country’s leadership feels free to speak out about the scourge of corruption, the spread of AIDS and the proliferation of crime, so too should they speak out against intolerance, wherever it manifests itself.When we speak of leadership, we speak of our Head of State, Hifikepunye Pohamba, but not exclusively so.While he is at the helm, and therefore his voice is often the most prominent, the concept of leadership applies across the spectrum.And these voices are largely silent on the question of intolerance.Our former President, for example, who has kept his own counsel for many months now, is apparently due to break his silence when he addresses a rally in the North over the weekend.As he is known to have an overwhelmingly strong following among Namibians, and exerts unquestionable influence over the rank and file of Swapo, we hope he will make use of this opportunity to call on compatriots not to indulge in the politics of witch-hunts and victimisation, simply because some people chose to form a new political party.His words, if he chooses to exercise true leadership and make such a call, will certainly be heeded.And he is, after all, the architect of the policy of reconciliation.Likewise our incumbent President, when faced with reports of threats towards those working in the civil service and deciding to find a new political home, should state his case loud and clear – namely that this will not be tolerated.But it is not only the present and former heads of state who should use their influence to ensure that Namibians comply with the requirements of our Constitution, but the leaders of other political parties too should refrain from entering the fray and encourage their supporters to follow suit.Again, we do not know what the leaders of the newly formed Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) plan to make their platform at their inaugural rally in Katutura over the weekend, but we trust that they too will concentrate on what they hope to do for Namibia rather than sling mud at their erstwhile political allies.There are those who will dismiss calls for tolerance and who will continue to spearhead campaigns to smear and discredit their opponents, but we should ensure the people know that they are marginal and maverick voices, without support in the country as a whole to carry their fight forward.And the media should ensure they get no more voice than they deserve, for the outcome could be devastating for our democracy.We see the huge effects of destructive conflict in countries other than our own, and most of us do not want to revert to an era where instability becomes the order of the day.Hopefully our church leaders too, whose silence is perhaps even more unacceptable than the political leadership of the day, will find their voices once again to appeal for calm and rational debate and discussion and yes, even divergence.For this is the true test of leadership – to lead supporters and followers out of the darkness and into the light, and in so doing, to both promote and strengthen our democracy.There is room for a variety of views, and we should not try to silence that which is different.It is therefore important that our leaders take up this challenge to discourage intimidation and threats of any kind.If they are unable to do this, they do not deserve the positions they occupy, largely because the electorate gave them the mandate to lead.We hope therefore to hear conciliatory words from the upper echelons, and avert things getting out of control.Likewise, our people themselves should exert discipline, even under pressure, and accept tolerance as the order of the day.Lively and critical debate is always welcome, but open conflict can only be debilitating to all of us who call this country home.