A realistic analysis of the Namibian political landscape

By Ndapewa ya Kapia

With the elections close on our heels, I thought it befitting to present a realistic analysis of some important dynamics that characterize the 2009 elections in general and the political landscape in particular.

If we are to be honest with ourselves we will admit that Namibia, as a young democracy, is today where many countries dream of being. If we are not economical with the truth we will further admit that the victory of the SWAPO Party in the upcoming elections is guaranteed and the scramble for second place is on! This opinion piece seeks to assert that the SWAPO Party identifies with the masses of this country by analyzing some of the players in the political landscape and the relevance (or often irrelevance) of their actions.

The past ten years have seen ambitious former comrades such as Ben Ulenga and Hidipo Hamutenya, attempt to “change” the political landscape in attempts to console themselves affirm their personal beliefs that they were born to lead this country. The formation of COD and RDP, was in my opinion nothing less than an opportunity for Hidipo and Ulenga to rally their cliques behind them so that they could have better jobs and better titles before their names. In contrast the SWAPO Party which has over the years developed a relationship with the people, while opposition parties continue to ponder about what they may do if they ever got the chance to govern. They scramble for publicity, trying to decide who can come up with the best explanation for why SWAPO Party hasn’t done this and why SWAPO Party hasn’t done that.

Although not everything is perfect in Namibia, it is my conviction that opposition parties in this country are either in denial or they are being selective about the reality they accept. The SWAPO Party has through its government identified with the challenges faced by the masses in this country and has provided, in most cases tangible solutions that resonate with the demands of the citizenry. In other cases, sustainable solutions are being sought. Solutions that will genuinely over the long term, improve both livability and human development indices.

While the SWAPO Party attempts to foster social cohesion, Hidipo Hamutenya together with Jesaya Nyamu are strategizing on how to destroy the power of the “Omusati clique”. This derogatory terminology was coined by RDP’s chief conspirator in reference to the leaders in SWAPO who hail from the Omusati Region. It was later expanded to all sectors of society so that the citizenry develop a dislike for a group of people most of them know nothing about. As a daughter of Omusati I wish to clear the air on who Omusati is and why the “clique referred to is derogatory. The Oshiwambo language is comprised of eight dialects namely oshiKwambi, oshiNdonga, oshiKwaluudhi, oshiMbalantu, oshiKolonkadhi, oshiMbandja, oshiKwanyama and oshiNgandjera. Of the eight dialects of Oshiwambo, only two do not reside in the Omusati Region, namely the Ndgona and Kwanyama speakers. It comes as no surprise that when the RDP attempted to canvass for support in the Omusati Region last week they were met with aggression, by the grouping of people they have cursed over the past two years as they flexed their muscle in attempts to gain power. It is a fact that the RDP was formed under the assumption that it would strengthen the influence of the Ndonga and Kwanyama speaking tribes, while alienating the so-called “Omusati clique”. The majority of our citizens have however rejected this attempt at fragmentation of our united people. The by-election in Omuthiya and Eenhana bear testimony of this.

A retrospective glance at our political landscape over the past few years has shown that the majority of Namibians continue to rally behind the SWAPO Party as it has over the years and will continue to be the umbrella for Namibians from all walks of life. It comes as a surprise that the Rally for Democracy and Progress continues to compare itself to SWAPO, as if it is an equal to SWAPO. Since Hamutenya is a political protégé of Ulenga, he should consult Ulenga. I have, however come to learn that consultation is not in Hamutenya’s nature. The RDP is not and equal to SWAPO. Equally the RDP is not an equal to the COD and DTA as both have participated in elections which they garnered enough support to earn them seats in the National Assembly.

Opposition parties should not allow the RDP to dictate to them the terms under which they will participate in these elections, as this is done at the expense of the “well established” support of the twelve other contenders. The race for second place is on; it is only common sense that the new kid on the block should not dictate terms for anybody. We may recall failed attempts by the RDP to solicit support for a coalition of opposition, in which it would have Hamutenya as the President leading the coalition government.

After all the noise in the months leading up to the election, RDP has suddenly become mute. As the saying goes, desperate times call for desperate measures. This can be said of the RDP and its actions in the past weeks to distract other opposition parties after failed attempts to have the elections postponed. The latest of its ploys was the decision to boycott the allocated free time from the NBC, opting instead to collude with the COD to take the NBC to court. What the RDP and COD Perhaps failed to realize is that NBC does not have to allocate free time. That was merely a gesture to enable even those who cannot afford to buy airtime to have their messages heard.

As we prepare to elect our fifth government, let us be honest with ourselves we will admit that victory is certain for the SWAPO Party in the November elections, since SWAPO remains the only party that the majority of our people relate to based on its historical background and the relationship it has built with the electorate over the past for elections.

The developmental agenda of the SWAPO PARTY, as it has been implemented over the past 20 years remains a clear testimony of the SWAPO-led Government’s commitment to realizing the dreams and aspirations of its people. The majority of our people have vehemently rejected the numerous tribal-based family parties and continue to rally behind the heroes they know and love.

Our people refuse to be enticed by the Hengari’s, Ya Nangoloh’s and Diescho’s of this world who feed them Aristotle, Plato and Socrates as if these philosophers mean anything tangible to our society. These citizens who only talk development but are not willing to involve themselves in anything other than criticizing the ruling party as if their criticism contributes one bit to feeding those living in poverty.

Let us remain cognizant of the fact that the forthcoming elections will teach us one thing, Namibia will continue to be built by those who have a genuine interest in our country and its development, among them the majority of our citizens and the Government they choose to relate to.