Tuhafeni Helao
In a contemporary political environment, only ordinary citizens may provide a rational and applied meaning and interpretation of independence and freedom and its implications, because they are experiencing it daily. In this context, ‘ordinary citizens’ refers to the poor and destitute people in society. Politicians and other elites, due to the relaxed position they stand in, are unable to attach a humane-fit interpretation of the two concepts, other than rhetoric.
The theoretical and scientific meaning and discourse of these concepts do not matter to ordinary citizens. For them, if independence and freedom are not producing the material benefits necessary to stimulate adequate livelihoods, they remain mere daydreams and political rhetoric. The original and implied meaning of independence and freedom appear to have lost relevance. Relatedly, the meaning and definition of the country's independence depend on where one stands in society. The idiom “the goat will eat where he is tethered”, finds relevance here. The unreciprocated question in modern life is whether ordinary citizens are tethered at an advantaged position to reap the fruits of independence and freedom, 33 years on. Summing up, elites and the poor may define independence and freedom differently.
This article takes cognisance of various philosophical and epistemological interpretations of ‘independence and freedom’, and the logical space they are located in. For example, look at the discussions advanced by List and Valentini (2016) and Arnold and Harris (2017), and many other scholars. The constitutional provision, particularly chapter three, is also noted, though no specific mention of the ‘promotion of persons’ livelihoods’.
Philosophers like John Locke (1689) (second treatise of government); Hugo Gratius (1625) (natural rights); and Thomas Hobbes (1651) (social contract) offered unreserved logic on socioeconomic well-being of society because it is the purpose of government existence.
Nelson Mandela was also against poverty, saying ‘it is man-made’ and thus can be undone by those in power, provided they have the will and courage to commit state resources to promote people’s livelihoods.
Putting a caveat on this opinion piece, the purpose of this writing is not to establish a scientific description of independence and freedom, but to depict a real-world state of political independence and freedom and its implications on ordinary people, considering the “man-made” challenges society navigates through.
Despite what some might defend, especially politicians and other elites, the material benefits derived from independence and freedom inform ordinary citizens’ views and interpretations. As stated earlier, the novelty explanation is irrelevant, unless affected people reap the benefits accrued from political transactions.
From the African perspective, independence may mean freedom from colonialism, oppression and racial divisions, and fair, just and equal treatment of all by the authority.
The meaning of independence and its prospect may be understood from the viewpoint of the situation people have endured before gaining independence and freedom. However, ending the above does not ease poverty, unemployment and inequality in society. Juxtaposing, poverty and inequality may increase, and people’s livelihoods may degenerate as a result of the regime’s governance approach. Ordinary people need a caring, responsive and inclusive government that can translate state resources into communal benefits. Naturally, two forms of independence and freedom are complementary. One is immaterial without the other.
Firstly, political independence was intended to end colonialism, oppression and racial discrimination. Yes, except for Western Sahara, this has been attained in all African countries, especially those which were under colonial rule for decades.
Political independence has provided opportunities for citizens to democratically elect ‘their’ political leadership to take the course of independence and freedom to the next stage, that is, socioeconomic freedom and empowerment. While political independence and freedom have been successfully attained, it seems there is still visible inertia to move to the next desired stage.
Political independence and freedom did not bridge the gap created by poverty and inequality. Those entrusted with political governance power seem not prepared to transform the system for the better. Political leadership spent valuable time fighting for power, and is seemingly disinterested in finding the best socioeconomic reformation model, while ordinary citizens, especially in rural areas, are plunged into intentionally designed poverty.
“Intentionally designed” in this sense connotes an “economically divided and alienated society” in which political elites legislated laws, by-laws and retain some colonial laws to ensure they continue receiving ‘a lion’s share’ from the state resources they claim are scarce and not sufficient to provide basic amenities to ordinary citizens. The land issue is a practical example in this regard.
From the independence of Ghana in 1957 to Namibia’s in 1990, people are witnessing considerable sections of society struggling to make ends meet. The poverty that was associated with colonialism continues and is hardened by poor leadership, an elitist approach to governance, and crony recycling. Ironically, although political independence was a necessity, its impact on socioeconomic benefits and people’s livelihoods is disapprovingly minimal. Rural communities endure hardship in terms of access to basic necessities, while political leadership dines and wines around unimaginable tables. Practical illustrations are endless. From the poor’s viewpoint, political independence to a certain extent is a failure because it is not producing the anticipated outcomes.
Given the above, various shortcomings have contributed to failed political independence and freedom, including selective and unkind legislation, some of them dating back to colonial times.
Put clearly, ordinary citizens' rights to basic amenities and livelihoods have been legislated away by those taking an oath of office to safeguard the plight of the people. The ineffective political system allows any person to assume political office, even if he/she lacks governance knowledge and skills to lead institutions that are strategic to transforming people’s livelihoods. Governance is a specialised practice that does not only require politically literacy and resilience but credible leadership to make a difference in society. Political independence calls for accountable and transparent leadership. What is happening today is completely the opposite of what was anticipated before political independence and freedom. Priorities are misdirected. Another fundamental form of independence and freedom is socioeconomic emancipation and empowerment. This form provides an opportunity for citizens to get access to and participate in social and economic affairs. Socioeconomic empowerment becomes a challenge in many African countries, where governments do little to uplift people’s living standards. Strangely, government policy pronunciations on this matter do not come to fruition. Issues of unemployment, youth disempowerment, poor healthcare, a debatable educational system, inequality, poverty and appalling livelihoods continue hounding citizens because the government does not prioritise and actionise socioeconomic policies to benefit all. Citizens' post-independence hopes and expectations are dashed. The rural poor are swimming in poverty because the system denied them access to economic means and quality education. Available statistics bear evidence in this regard. To divert the attention away from the power that be, this essential form of independence and freedom is relegated to the second phase coined as ‘the second phase of struggle’. Notwithstanding, those in power are enjoying the fruits of political independence and freedom. To substantiate these issues, some illustrations find relevance here.
Despite the abundance of natural resources: fish, minerals, wildlife, etc, youth unemployment is out of control. A worried hoard of employment applications to the NDF, Police, Correctional Services and other sectors of society bear testimony. These are youth aged 18 to 25.
Also, innocent learners are forced onto the streets because the basic education system is in crisis, and seems to lack the capacity to deliver the best outcomes. Perhaps, there is a need for a survey to determine the exact number of learners who failed grade 12, and now grade 11 since independence in 1990, but who were never allowed to repeat.
Where are they today? State hospitals are reportedly not having adequate medicines, ambulances and equipment to facilitate smooth medical treatment. In some regions, people travel long distances to access medical treatment. Yet, education, health and poverty reduction programmes continue to receive a lion's share of the national budget. Reforms after reforms have been done, without success. Contrary to socioeconomic thinking, political independence and freedom gave birth to Local Authorities' legislation and regulations that pushed citizens away from towns’ peripheries, purportedly to make way for town expansion and development. This one-sided development approach further condemned residents into poverty as their livelihoods have been disturbed. Surely, the authority has legislated away citizens’ rights to humane livelihoods, and interfered with subsistence farming that is core to rural people's food security, housing and other necessities. The approach has driven residents away from education, hospitals, shopping malls, employment, and contributed to family separation. If truth be told, forced relocation disturbs livelihoods and deposits rural people into poverty.
Against the backdrop, this article maintains that political independence and freedom become irrelevant because it failed to address the bread-and-butter issues. ‘People do not eat peace’. The current socioeconomic policies and initiatives' focus and direction leave much to be desired. In contemporary society, political independence and freedom is meaningless if it is not accompanied by socioeconomic emancipation and the empowerment of every citizen.