By Emma Kakololo
WINDHOEK
The Namibia Institute for Democracy (NID) on Monday launched its third edition of the Guide to Namibian Politics.
The book, which aims to give an accessible overview of the country’s politics by focusing on key personalities, political parties, and the political and electoral systems gained, was first published in 2004 and soon became one of the most sought-after publications in the country.
Yesterday’s event coincided with the launch of the online edition of the Guide’s central feature, The A to Z of Political Personalities, which covers key players on the political scene.
“Wherever I go, I am often met with the phrase, ‘I want that book’,” said author of the book Graham Hopwood yesterday.
“Our response to this was twofold – firstly to plan a reprint of the Guide and secondly to prepare the A to Z section as an online Who’s Who in Namibian politics.”
For the new version, the text has been updated throughout. Each personality was asked to give their views on the book and give updated and additional information.
“The responses from political figures featured in the book were interesting.
Most had no complaints about the book or their profiles and simply submitted updated curricula vitae.”
The few that complained, he said, felt that the book had not been generous enough towards them and did not adequately recognise their achievements.
“In response, I tried to explain that the Guide is not about political figures with all their foibles and weaknesses.
“Only one person accused me of having a hidden agenda, but when I asked this leading politician to explain what my hidden agenda was, she was unable to do so.”
With regard to the latest edition, Hopwood expressed his dissatisfaction with the shortage of key civil society activists in the national sphere.
“It seems there are still a wide variety of non-governmental organisations and larger community-based organisations in Namibia, but it seems their leading personalities are often transient – shifting from one job to another with no real commitment or sense of vocation – or they are simply reluctant to put themselves forward on to the national stage.
“There is no doubt a culture of fear in operation – not fear of arrest or imprisonment but of falling into disfavour with the ascendant political class and of harming future security and career prospects,” he said.
The book was made possible through the support of Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and is available for free, while The A to Z of Political Personalities can be accessed from http://www.nid.org.na/.