Finally, at long last, liberation from the liberators?

It seems like the winds of change are finally starting to blow strongly through Southern Africa, after a prolonged, very “windless” period.

In Angola, after what seems to have been an eternity, the original liberator and his clan have been deposed. Ditto for Zimbabwe, where at one stage it really looked like Zimbabweans were going to be stuck with a person bearing a certain surname, in one form or another, for ever. Both of the “new boys” in these countries seem to be making the right moves and noises at this stage.

Likewise, in South Africa, a certain gentleman's prediction about his party ruling “until Jesus comes again” suddenly does not seem so rock solid any more. Internal squabbles, mainly caused by the centuries-old basic human trait of naked greed, are the main contributors to his famous prophesy not looking such a likely thing in the years to come.

Be that as it may, happenings in our neighbouring countries certainly have major influences on our wellbeing here in Namibia, specifically of the economic type and especially with regard to what happens to our neighbours in South Africa. The reality is still very much the old cliché that when South Africa sneezes, the rest of Southern Africa catches a cold. And there has been quite a bit of sneezing going on down south lately.

So what are the possible implications and lessons for us in our beloved Land of the Brave? First and foremost, no country belongs to a select small group of individuals to be used for their exclusive benefit. Liberation, peace, stability etc. are all fine words and concepts. But they are only a means to an end, milestones along the journey. Eventually, the will (and wellbeing) of the people cannot and will not be supressed forever and it needs to be attended to, for the benefit of all.

Certainly, now more than ever, hope springs eternal for those who have been and are still waiting for deliverance.