It is sad to witness the manner in which the good name of the Swapo Party is being dragged into the mud by some leaders, members, supporters, sympathisers and even some erstwhile apartheid apologists who have become overnight super-Swapos.
Whichever way one looks at it, the current political shenanigans and mudslinging does not in any way resemble “democracy at work”, as some political commentators would want us to believe. It is pure anarchy that needs to be arrested.
Once upon a time, Swapo, the vanguard of the Namibian liberation struggle, was a national and international brand, whose members were glued together by a common cause, the liberation of the motherland.
Once upon a time – when membership cards did not authenticate your place in the movement – discipline and commitment to the aims and objectives of Swapo were the main weapons at the disposal of all members, whether at the military front, diplomatic missions, education centres, reception settlements and across all structures of the movement.
Once upon a time, the title ‘comrade’ was honourable and sacred, exemplifying equality in membership, but yet bestowing respect to the structures and the seniority of those entrusted to oversee certain responsibilities.
Indeed, once upon a time and on many occasions, the leadership and rank-and-file all ate makunde, mungome, dried kapenta, mukumo nomatokolo, etc, and slept in the same trenches, facing bullets that would not discriminate between a commander and an ordinary fighter.
It is important to remember that any liberation is defined by its struggle. Once liberation is achieved, the ideals that shaped that liberation struggle ought to naturally be brought into a new government. Fighting a liberation war is an enterprise with a single and readily identifiable goal – namely liberation – to which all other considerations are subordinated.
The vision espoused by Swapo in championing and executing the liberation struggle for Namibia’s independence is irrefutable. It was a vision of a united people, a tapestry of differences that made us more complete, and complementary. That vision was based on an ideology encapsulated in the socialist principles of equitable distribution of the national economy.
After Independence, the movement was transformed into a political party whose membership is open to every Namibian citizen who accepts the aims and objectives of the party. In a nutshell, these aims and objectives are: to unite the people of Namibia, irrespective of race, religion, sex or ethnic origin into a democratic, vibrant and peace-loving nation; foster a sense of common purpose and collective destiny among the Namibian people; to combat retrogressive tendencies of tribalism, ethnicity, nepotism, racism, sexism, chauvinism, regionalism, personality cult, etc.
In addition, members are accorded the rights and obligations to demand the fulfillment of what is contained in the party constitution; to put forward proposals and defend their opinions before a decision is reached on any matter under discussion; to state matters and address questions, petitions and proposals to the appropriate organs; to express opinions freely and without fear or favour in party meetings.
Member are required to act with dedication and commitment in the interest of the party and the national interest; to be of exemplary conduct and to act in the spirit of comradeship towards other members; to observe and comply with decisions, resolutions and directives of the majority; to oppose factionalism; to promote and exercise criticism, without fear or favour, and self-criticism with a view to overcoming any defects, errors or deviations in the party, etc.
Additionally, the party has a programme that serves as a guide for compiling the party manifesto. Whether this party programme played a role in the compilation of the current manifesto, is neither here nor there, though it is crucial to the debate.
It is important to acknowledge that today’s party elders were yesterday’s youths, the majority of whom made supreme sacrifices for independence. In the same vein, today’s youths are tomorrow’s leaders, the majority of whom may usher in the economic freedom that the country so desperately needs.
That said, it is important for both the elders and the youths of the party to uphold the letter and spirit of the party constitution and the rights and responsibilities of every member of the party, irrespective of the positions or structures they belong to.
Similarly, there is need to recognise that membership of the party is voluntary and subject to the constitution and code of conduct of the party, irrespective of one’s position in the party.
Furthermore, there is need to accept that the constitution does not create extra categories of membership, other than affiliate and individual membership. It also does not create extra super-structures.
Therefore, there is need for humility with respect to the principles of the party, as espoused in the constitution, bearing in mind that the party is bigger than individuals and cannot be held to ransom by an individual or group of people, nor should it be turned into a personal instrument.
Sadly, hurling epithets at the leadership does not in any way help to build the party or promote unity. These epithets have of recent come from some youths and some leaders. Some members of parliaments have unashamedly attacked the party and the country’s head of state. They have not been cautioned, at least not publicly.
Exercising selective morality by turning a blind eye to some leaders who openly attack the party and government outside the structures of the party and bring the good name of the party into disrepute by engaging in financial scandals, is equally regrettable and gives credence to the argument of the youth that some members are more equal than others.
It is time that the party deals with all members who bring it into disrepute swiftly, firmly, fairly, without discrimination and in accordance with the constitution and code of conduct.
The sooner a clear distinction is made between the status of a member, supporter and sympathiser, the better it shall be, otherwise the party shall forever be held to ransom by its supporters and not by its members.
While the party’s membership is open to all and sundry, regardless of the person’s ideological leanings, we need to be mindful of elements that only join the party for self gain. These elements have ascended to powerful positions within the party and government, devaluing the ideals and principles of the party by their insatiable greed.
They care less about Swapo than their own pockets. They are a bad example for the youth. Small wonder that discipline and commitment to the aims and objectives of the party have become rare commodities.
* Dr Charles Mubita holds a PhD in International Relations from the University of Southern California.