OKAKARARA – While admitting that elections naturally come with unpredictable outcomes and frenzied emotions that sometimes divide society, two prominent Swapo veterans have cautioned Namibians against being divided by this year’s election results.
Speaking at Okakarara recently, two Swapo stalwarts Rahii Ua-Kahimise and Catch Visisiro, said Namibia has made significant strides over the past 34 years and more remains to be done to further improve the living standards of all Namibians.
Both Ua-Kahimise and Visisiro said Namibia, as a young democracy, will always be found wanting in some areas of economic development and social advancement, but that does not mean Namibians should destroy all the gains of the past three decades due to frustration.
“Elections will always be a complicated process because not everyone will be happy with the outcome. With elections, always expect the unexpected and be ready to embrace each other when all is said and done. That is how democracy works; the winner must be humble enough to hold hands and move with the other colleagues who would have lost the race. Yes, there are problems in some areas but as Namibians, we have built a beautiful and peaceful
country, and we must never destroy it because of temporary frustrations. We should never allow elections to divide us as a people, because we are one,” said Visisiro.
He was one of Swapo’s formidable intelligence officers during the liberation struggle.
He also condemned what he termed a growing tendencies of tribalism and partisan politics among the country’s youth, saying those are dangerous trends.
“When we were in the bush and trenches trying to liberate our country, we all fought as one people and had each other’s backs. There were no Herero, Aawambo or Damara soldiers; we were just one army fighting for the motherland. Those were not easy times, but our unity was unshakable. We must maintain that same spirit as Namibians, even beyond these elections.”
Ua-Kahimise touched on the importance of Namibians embracing challenges as a united people, as opposed to individuals finding refuge in their tribes and political homes when things get tough.
“Namibia is the only home we have and even beyond the elections, we should come together and move forward. We cannot burn the country down because one or two people are not happy. Despite the many problems we have, let’s preserve what we have achieved as a country, and know that there is life after elections,” said Ua-Kahimise.
Now a retired army colonel and residing at Omutukururu village in Okakarara constituency of Otjozondjupa region, Ua-Kahimise left the country in the early 60s with the aim to study abroad but later decided to take up arms after he was influenced by fellow freedom fighters he met in Tanzania.
-ohembapu@nepc.com.na