When Moderates Talk Radical

‘THE goal of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung is to accelerate regime change in Namibia! This explains the dubious behaviour of Dr Anton Bösl of Konrad Adenauer Stiftung. His behaviour is a threat to the political stability of our Republic’ (Prime Minister Nahas Angula, Windhoek Observer, February 26 2010.

The above statement is credited as words and thoughts of our Prime Minister Nahas Angula. He used the historic and noble occasion of launching Namibia’s 20th Independence Anniversary logo, on 18 February 2010, to state what is quoted above. As far as true patriotic Namibians are concerned, this type of speech and thinking is what has been polluting and confusing the minds of innocent Namibian citizens for the past 20 years. What is more frustrating, and therefore difficult to accept, is the fact that these words are attributed to someone who is generally characterised as a ‘moderate’, academic, thinker and one of the best leaders Namibia has. To an untrained ear and casual observer, the above quotation seems to be an honest analysis of a real and imminent ‘threat to the political stability of our Republic’. However to careful observers, the Prime Minister’s statement, on the looming threat to our political stability, is self-serving, imaginary and non-existent. It is at best deceptive and, at worst, malicious. How can a single individual, in the name of Dr Anton Bösl, be a threat to the whole Namibia or roughly the 1.8 million Namibians in it? With all due logical coherence, why is our education system, which on an annual basis renders approximately 20 000 youth jobless on the streets and without hope, not a ‘threat to the political stability of our Republic. Why is the scary 50% unemployment statistic not a threat to the political stability of our Republic? Why is corruption, that within a period of three years results in $236 million of the taxpayer’s money being lost (ODC, Avid, NDF, Bail money stolen at Katutura Magistrate Court, Teko Trading), not a ‘threat to the political stability of our Republic? Deep down in the heart of our Prime Minister his conscience tells him that our problematic education system, unemployment, crime, ailing health care systems and corruption are the real threats to Namibia’s political stability by rather pointing out imaginary and non- existent issues as threats. Flowing from the foregoing (that the Prime Minister is pretending not to know the real threats to our stability), the question that arises is this: why is he behaving this way? There are many possible answers to his question. One possible explanation lies in the forthcoming announcement of the new Namibian Cabinet by President Hifikepunye Pohamba. There is this deluded and unacceptable thinking that to be considered for a substantive position in Swapo or Government, making so- called radical statements is the potent formula. This is the thinking in which the Prime Minister’s above-quoted remarks are to be understood. We have seen this phenomenon also recently with the case of Hage Geingob citing non – issues (attacking a ‘certain Professor’, RDP and ‘hibernators’) as issues worth addressing at a Swapo rally in Okahandja. The question arises as to why we should care about the Prime Minister’s remarks. We should care because the Prime Minister( as well as Hage Geingob) is a person of stature, honour as well as perceived and demonstrated capability. Namibians must continue to pray and remain steadfast in their belief that a day shall come when leaders like the Prime Minister (as well as Hage Geingob) will decide to live by principles by speaking the truth rather than do so for their self-serving interests. When that day comes, Namibians shall shout and sing with joy, for the future has hope!