March 21st, 2016 marked 26 years of Namibia’s political independence and sovereignty. The road to independence was not a walk in the park. It was filled with what seemed as insurmountable potholes characterized by the ruthlessness of the oppressive colonial regime. However, through sheer determination, commitment and patriotism at the military, political and diplomatic fronts, the people of Namibia emerged victorious and proclaimed independence on that historic day in 1990.
Twenty-five years later, on 21st March, 2015, we crowned President Hage Geingob as our third head of state. March 21st, 2016 therefore marked one year since president Geingob has been in office. His first year in office, just as our road to independence, has been characterized by a number of challenges, setbacks, disappointments, and achievements. What is important is to group and weigh all these negative and positive factors in order to determine whether all is gloom and doom or there is light or hope at the end of the tunnel. This will help us to identify rhetoric from practice, perception from reality.
Many commentators and the public have made some interesting observations, as can be seen from comments on social media and the discussion organized by The Namibian at the NamPower Convention Center in Windhoek a week ago. They are united in voicing their disappointment in the Geingob administration primarily because, in their view, it has not achieved much during its first year; high expectations were created with no tangible achievements to date; failure to compel ministers to declare their assets; lack of clarity in articulating, formulating and streamlining policies; lack of clarity on the solidarity tax; clarification of Namibia’s relationships with China and Korea; plans for new parliament building at monumental costs; huge cabinet and number of advisors; unwarranted government expenditure and waste of resources; disgruntlement in the two Kavango regions; unbridled corruption; etc. This scenario portrays hopelessness.
Other commentators claim the Geingob administration has achieved a lot in a relatively short time. They point to the continued peace and stability; town hall consultative meetings; meetings with major stakeholders, including the media; Namibia has moved 10 places up in global rankings in nine months; declarations of assets by MPs are being refined; public declaration of both the president and his spouse’s assets including his state of health; accountability in publicly declaring performance agreements with ministers; the war on poverty and the Harambee Plan for Prosperity which will be rolled out in April 2016, anchored on the belief that no Namibian should feel left out; the revision of the Public Procurement Act to enhance transparency and open procurement processes; timely distribution of drought relief food including strengthening food for work programme; free food assistance for 578,480 people; acquisition of maize grain of about 37 000 metric tonnes from outside the country and 8000 metric tonnes from domestic harvest; provision of 1240 metric tonnes of fish to compensate for lack of beans as a source of protein for the most vulnerable; drilling of 50 boreholes and equipping 80 boreholes which benefited 9100 people and 22500 animals; a total of 30 000 communal farmers have benefited from free seed distribution; expenditure of N$555, 845 000 on the above interventions; production and timely distribution of improved pearl millet seeds under irrigation by Green Schemes; implementation of the measures stipulated in the interim drought programme, such as livestock incentives, transport to marketing facilities, transport and lease of grazing and water provision; plans to expand the green scheme to ensure food security; etc.
This group also points to images of president Geingob sitting around the table with leaders of the Affirmative Repositioning to hammer out an agreement on urban land, coupled with images of him touring Goreagab Dam, Otjomuise and Cimbebasia to identify land to be cleared and serviced for plots, as achievements that show good leadership and willingness to confront unequivocally the major anxiety of people. This, and not much else, is the essence of leadership, they say.
One may wish to borrow from the wisdom of Colin Powell who argues that the day soldiers stop bringing you their problems, is the day you have stopped leading them. They would have either lost confidence that you can help or concluded that you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership. Leadership is solving problems.
It is no doubt that many people are disappointed. It is equally true that the government has made tangible achievements during the past year. What is important, however, is to move forward, not on empty stomachs but equitably well-nourished to ensure prosperity for all Namibians. Now, more than ever we need great leadership in our government, schools, businesses, hospitals and organizations. Good leadership won’t suffice. We need great leadership. There is a big difference.
To lead others in a powerful way you must invite them on your bus, share your vision for the road ahead and then encourage, empower and inspire them to drive their own bus. In the process, instead of having just one bus that you drive, you create a fleet of buses and bus drivers, all moving in the same positive direction. When you create a fleet of buses and empower people to drive their own bus, you generate an amazing amount of power and momentum that becomes an unstoppable force. This is what great leadership is all about.
- Dr Charles Mubita holds a PhD in International Relations from the University of Southern California.