Political tensions a source of concern

Our political leaders, both in Swapo and the opposition, must find ways to calm the nation’s nerves.

The current wave of happenings such as suspensions, nullifications and threats for lawsuits and revolts – are a scary development in our young democracy.

The past couple of weeks have been tense on both sides of the political divide.

And there is strong evidence that such tensions are a product of corrupted, selfish and power hungry politicians of this country.

Not all our politicians fall under the above-mentioned categories and those can be counted on fingers. They are as rare as diamonds in modern-day Oranjemund.

Or why, if we may ask, is it that such tensions are only becoming rampant in a run up to elective congresses especially those of Swapo and the Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP)?

We could be wrong in our assessment but what we see is all rooted in a power struggle and trying to prove that "my party" or "my family and friends" are right and should rule over this country or organization.

There are no more principles in politics. Collective visions and aggression to push ideologies in unity of purpose has long been alien to Namibian politics.

There is growing alarm about the increasing centralisation of power in Namibian political parties. Mass movements are fast turning into clubs of friends and acquaintances. Preachers of democracy and pluralism have become their biggest violators.

It is a sad day that in Swapo, more and more regions are having their results nullified because procedures were not followed to the letter.

Constitutions are picking dust somewhere while contenders invent their own rules of how processes must be conducted. Omusati, Oshikoto, Caprivi and Otjozondjupa regions were all told to go back and follow procedures.

‘Irregularities’ has become the key word in such processes as everyone keep their eyes firmly glued to positions and benefits that come with them.

What is happening in the RDP needs not to be overemphasized. The party is torn into factions, each of which is pulling in its own direction.

The RDP Youth League yesterday issued a statement in which it said it was dismayed by the sudden unprocedural and unpleasant suspension of Kandy Nehova, Peter Naholo and Mirjam Hamutenya, who were shown the door by the official opposition last week.

In a nutshell, the wind currently blowing across the local political spectrum is a real cause for concern to Namibians who already have a lot to worry about.