Coalitions not all cosy
The opposition thinks it’s got Swapo by the scrotum following impressive results last week, but that’s not even what this election was about.
Gaining access to levers of power to influence the economic and political direction of the country through fundamental reforms creates expectations for delivery.
It’s true that corruption and inefficiency thrived under Swapo’s rule of regional and local authorities, and Namibians, after years of political slumber, seem to have finally awoken from their wet dream of misplaced trust.
That trust has now been placed on the laps of the opposition, many of whom are seeking coalitions to elbow Swapo to the edge of authority.
Power-sharing, which has become the landmark of this election, is designed specifically to accommodate political adversaries into one block to control and influence decisions. The only common denominator in such arrangements is lust to rule – and not necessary because these bedfellows share ideologies and a common vision for the masses they are leading.
The advantage of curtailing the overarching power that Swapo often abused is that decisions are no longer congregated in one autonomous hand. Decisions ought to be derived from all parties involved, for the best interest of the people.
But on the flip side, coalitions would ignite a lot of push and pull among its members and this could derail progress. So instead of jumping on top of tables to celebrate victory, the opposition must sober up and smell the reality awaiting them.
Gaining access to levers of power to influence the economic and political direction of the country through fundamental reforms creates expectations for delivery.
It’s true that corruption and inefficiency thrived under Swapo’s rule of regional and local authorities, and Namibians, after years of political slumber, seem to have finally awoken from their wet dream of misplaced trust.
That trust has now been placed on the laps of the opposition, many of whom are seeking coalitions to elbow Swapo to the edge of authority.
Power-sharing, which has become the landmark of this election, is designed specifically to accommodate political adversaries into one block to control and influence decisions. The only common denominator in such arrangements is lust to rule – and not necessary because these bedfellows share ideologies and a common vision for the masses they are leading.
The advantage of curtailing the overarching power that Swapo often abused is that decisions are no longer congregated in one autonomous hand. Decisions ought to be derived from all parties involved, for the best interest of the people.
But on the flip side, coalitions would ignite a lot of push and pull among its members and this could derail progress. So instead of jumping on top of tables to celebrate victory, the opposition must sober up and smell the reality awaiting them.
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Namibian Sun
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