Time For An Independence Resolution

LET Namibia not celebrate its 16th year of Independence by looking back. Let us instead look forward to what we can do to create a prosperous nation.

Each year at Independence we tend to commemorate the struggle years and Namibia’s unhappy apartheid past. Of course, we must remember those who have fallen in the fight to bring into being a nation determining its own destiny, but let this not be our sole focus.Let us instead try to list our achievements since 1990, and be as honest when we list our failures.And where we have fallen short of goals and targets set, let us attempt to prioritise what we need to do to change things in the future.Our achievements must be acknowledged, and these include peace and democracy, stability and regular elections, among others.But these are constantly emphasised without giving at least equal attention to where we have fallen short.It is not easy to admit mistakes; far simpler to emphasise our successes.It calls for honesty on the part of us all to concede that we are lacking in many important respects, and it is time that we take Independence resolutions for the year ahead.We have to also try and sketch a context for Namibia to become a successful and prosperous nation.If we allow the present situation to continue, it will be difficult to turn failures into achievements.We have to commit to honesty, political and otherwise, hard work and dedication – across the board.We must stop seeking scapegoats for our political and economic woes and finally take responsibility for where we are (or aren’t) in 2006, 16 years after Independence was achieved.If we are honest we will admit we are not a healthy nation as far as the abovementioned are concerned.We are quick to claim to be a predominantly Christian society, but we do not take sufficient care of our elderly, our youth and the poor and marginalised in our society.We are committing scarce resources to projects and plans that could have waited.The latest Budget gives another generous N$44 million to the construction of a new State House and N$153,4 million to Air Namibia! We must ensure that otherwise noble goals such as affirmative action and black empowerment are not continually abused to the benefit of a small elite.We have to address ourselves what is globally regarded as one of the most skewed economies in the world, with a widening divide between rich and poor.We have to work at being productive, whatever employment we hold.We have to instil values of ethical behaviour in all walks of life and employment.And above all, we have to have courage, in the true sense of the word, to implement justice and fairness, at all levels of society, most particularly among the elite.We need leaders who exhibit and live according to a strong value system, and not leaders who are simply intent on swelling their bank accounts and taking refuge in political cowardice when it comes to tackling their peers for wrongdoing.We must be able to differ without an ensuing witch-hunt, both within and outside the ruling party.Only tolerance can eliminate the atmosphere of fear and suspicion that is so pervasive at present at high levels of our society, and which, at the end of the day, hamper our progress towards the goals most people claim to hold so dear.If we must look back to the past, then let it be to give ourselves a new vision for the challenges that lie ahead.So many of the attributes – selflessness, courage, commitment, hard work – that made us succeed in our struggle for self-determination and independence, but which have been less in evidence in the intervening years, should be re-instilled to spur us forward and inspire Namibia to succeed in areas we have failed in the past.Let us celebrate a different kind of emancipation for 2006 and beyond.Of course, we must remember those who have fallen in the fight to bring into being a nation determining its own destiny, but let this not be our sole focus.Let us instead try to list our achievements since 1990, and be as honest when we list our failures.And where we have fallen short of goals and targets set, let us attempt to prioritise what we need to do to change things in the future.Our achievements must be acknowledged, and these include peace and democracy, stability and regular elections, among others.But these are constantly emphasised without giving at least equal attention to where we have fallen short.It is not easy to admit mistakes; far simpler to emphasise our successes.It calls for honesty on the part of us all to concede that we are lacking in many important respects, and it is time that we take Independence resolutions for the year ahead.We have to also try and sketch a context for Namibia to become a successful and prosperous nation.If we allow the present situation to continue, it will be difficult to turn failures into achievements.We have to commit to honesty, political and otherwise, hard work and dedication – across the board.We must stop seeking scapegoats for our political and economic woes and finally take responsibility for where we are (or aren’t) in 2006, 16 years after Independence was achieved.If we are honest we will admit we are not a healthy nation as far as the abovementioned are concerned.We are quick to claim to be a predominantly Christian society, but we do not take sufficient care of our elderly, our youth and the poor and marginalised in our society.We are committing scarce resources to projects and plans that could have waited.The latest Budget gives another generous N$44 million to the construction of a new State House and N$153,4 million to Air Namibia! We must ensure that otherwise noble goals such as affirmative action and black empowerment are not continually abused to the benefit of a small elite.We have to address ourselves what is globally regarded as one of the most skewed economies in the world, with a widening divide between rich and poor.We have to work at being productive, whatever employment we hold.We have to instil values of ethical behaviour in all walks of life and employment.And above all, we have to have courage, in the true sense of the word, to implement justice and fairness, at all levels of society, most particularly among the elite.We need leaders who exhibit and live according to a strong value system, and not leaders who are simply intent on swelling their bank accounts and taking refuge in political cowardice when it comes to tackling their peers for wrongdoing.We must be able to differ without an ensuing witch-hunt, both within and outside the ruling party.Only tolerance can eliminate the atmosphere of fear and suspicion that is so pervasive at present at high levels of our society, and which, at the end of the day, hamper our progress towards the goals most people claim to hold so dear.If we must look back to the past, then let it be to give ourselves a new vision for the challenges that lie ahead.So many of the attributes – selflessness, courage, commitment, hard work – that made us succeed in our struggle for self-determination and independence, but which have been less in evidence in the intervening years, should be re-instilled to spur us forward and inspire Namibia to succeed in areas we have failed in the past.Let us celebrate a different kind of emancipation for 2006 and beyond.