By Muhongo Mutwa Moraliswani
THE latest development in local politics raises questions. Whether we are now taking the same road that other African nations have taken is unknown. I do not believe for once that Namibians can be fooled by anyone because they have seen what has happened in other African states, losing what they had through cheap propaganda of other leaders who are hungry for power.
In Namibia, it is a question of power. Some want to rule and have been campaigning for 40 years but could not get that power. In my humble opinion, such people are dangerous and nothing will stop them from using anything including force to get what they want. No one should therefore be fooled.
There is no country without mad people. One cannot just dream that I want to become president and then you become one. Leaders are born. Namibia will never have a leader like Sam Nujoma, or his successor, Hifikepunye Pohamba. A leader is one with natural directives, they flow and are not forced. There is a tendency for some people to confuse leadership with management.
Managers acquire skills. They go to universities to train for that. With a leader however, he is born and gives directives on how such skills can be used to benefit the nation. For example, many asked why the current president was calling himself Hifikepunye, meaning I am not your size. This was fulfilled when he became president of the Republic of Namibia.
A few months ago, we spoke about a United States of Africa. And this might be the only way we can protect ourselves against neo-colonialism in Africa. This is so because as long as we get into conflicts, skunks are everywhere. As much as they can obtain foreign funds, so arms can also be obtained without the knowledge of the leaders. Sooner or later there might be war in the country.
To start a war, you do not need a fleet, even a small spark will do. The West knows that as long as there is money, you are bound to fight among each other. Sooner or later, they force you to use their currency: your minerals will be milked to pay for the arms used to come to power.
Experience has shown us how money was powered into Zambia, and Chiluba took over. They voted their country out of power. Assets were sold, including mines and hospitals. Where did this money go? Today they are struggling to revive their economy. At Mulobezi area in Zambia hospitals were closed. Once the nation’s economy is abused, recovery is hard to achieve.
Be Aware
I urge all comrades and intellectuals to be aware of this tactic. The 16 million dollars which came will end up with RDP. The current government pays 300 dollars for the elders: All this would be cancelled should RDP come to power. Everyone is catered for, in other countries this is not the case, rather poverty and hunger is the order of the day.
When Westerners come to Namibia and go to other countries they notice the difference. The standard of living in Namibia has improved and they do not want us to have this. This is the disease of Africa. Instead of consolidating what we already have, we divide politically, economically and socially. The 16 million dollars, is it for selling the country or what? There is no free lunch as the Americans say. They expect something in return, hence the need for citizens to remain vigilant.
We cannot allow ourselves to be sold for 16 million dollars, and we do not even know where it came from. People could understand our struggle then, but after independence whatever we do, the international community will be laughing. That’s why we got our independence: new educational institutions have been established so that we can rule ourselves. In Namibia we are only 1.8 million people. We do not need so many parties. If one is unhappy with Swapo go to CoD, DTA or UDF.
To those who claim to have a vision, Trade and Industry was in the hands of HH. He even closed DBC. He did so because many returnees were relying on these companies under the leadership of a visionary leader Sam Nujoma. We had Mashare, timber, Berg Aukas, Amcom, saw mills in Rundu, etc. Who closed these companies? It is the very HH who says there is no vision in Swapo!
If people are not careful, this person can bring fire and all will have to scatter. Thus Namibians must be aware of whom to follow.
I am surprised to hear that a person who has been campaigning for 40 years to become president has resigned from Swapo. He is a jealous person. He shook hands with President HP, yet he was angry!
Being both from the same clan, one would have expected him to support the current president and the founding father. This new party must not have a single vote in the forthcoming elections. Parties were formed but no millions came from outside. Today HH is criticizing innocent people.
Those projects were given under his supervision and he closed them as Minister of Trade and Industry. And today he claims to be a visionary leader.
Former cadres are unemployed and starving, and he goes to form a new party to destabilize Swapo of Namibia in its efforts to develop the country and its people. People must be careful.
The very person claiming to be a visionary leader stabs his own brother in the back. What is stopping him from approaching Pohamba and advising him accordingly? In Zambia, all was sold for peanuts, hospitals, mines etc.
Landless
Ownership of land: Who owns land, whether in Britain or America? Do you own land or lease it.
Today, we have people who are landless. But yet people live in Europe, and yet they own land here which they are able to lease and give away as they please.
Let there be a referendum to determine this constitutional provision. The nation should determine the land size, instead of one person owning more than 100 kilometres. A thorough study should be carried out.
No one should own land, it belongs to the state. We can only lease. In Europe for example, anything below 2 metres underground is the state’s. In Namibia this has to be negotiated!
Namibians have been fortunate to have a vigilant, visionary and hardworking leader in the name of Sam Nujoma. He took the country from the yoke of colonialism.
All witnessed how many trains went to South Africa full of armory. The trains were transporting riches from Namibia to South Africa. They thought he would not be able to establish an army. Today, we have a strong army.
He built the Trans-Caprivi Highway, the Trans-Kalahari and the Northern Railway. When the current president took over, he also followed in the footsteps of the founding father. He spends time visiting every corner of the country to assess development. He continued with the development of the new infrastructure in the city and the rural areas. For those who do not know the history of this country, they will think these people did nothing. Walvis Bay is back.
We have seen various treaties signed with the Chinese President Hu Jintao, the South African President Thabo Mbeki, Botswana’s Festus Mogae, etc. As for the current Head of State, after analyzing the current situation of war veterans, he created a new ministry that will cater for their needs. There is no doubt that Namibia is enjoying peace and stability because of the brilliant leadership of our leaders Shafishuna Nujoma, Hifikepunye Pohamba and others. They have done their best.
Took Everything
The Boers took everything hoping that Namibians will suffer. It is the first country where I saw colonizers taking everything. So for some one to say there is no visionary leadership, it is a lie.
The only problem is that we had a Minister of Mines and Energy who did nothing. Namibia has uranium. What did JN do with it? Namibia has petroleum and gas. It was to establish an oil refinery at Usakos. What happened?
Today, we have to struggle for electricity, which he ended up privatizing through the so-called REDS. The same goes for his buddy, the former Minister of Trade, instead of creating more companies to accommodate all Namibians, he ended up shutting them down.
Hence the Development Bridage, Amcom, Patriotic Construction Company which were closed and merged with RCC.
These big companies which could be utilized even across our borders in Angola and DRC, as a visionary leader all these were closed.
Therefore all the country’s 13 regions must be vigilant and avoid the pitfalls of neo-colonialism. Let’s remain with the ruling party otherwise, all (will) be running to the west for support to bring havoc back home.
The government should assess all these security companies to avoid a situation whereby brothers are turned against each other.