The convolution of national holidays
As with most former liberation movements, Swapo has co-opted national holidays like Heroes' Day; in the process convoluting the line between party and state.
Having said that, it was still quite perturbing to hear Vice-President Nangolo Mbumba using this national platform at Nkurenkuru on Sunday to try to lay to rest the disputed outcome of the Swapo elective congress that took place in November last year.
Mbumba's comments regarding Geingob's status as president of the party felt out of place at the event, even when he juxtaposed them as being a message from current ruling party secretary-general Sophia Shaningwa.
It should not be the norm that internal party dynamics are mentioned on such a national platform, given that the goal should be to unify the nation at such an important event, which is funded by the taxpayer.
Such convolution should be pointed out and challenged, given that it isolates those who have no interest in the internal dynamics of the ruling party.
It has also become the norm for Swapo to position itself as the centre of such celebrations. Perhaps this is understandable, given that such platforms are often used as campaigning tools. But if Namibia is truly to embrace these kinds of days as nationally celebrated occasions, party politics must take a back seat to the aspirations and challenges facing the country.
Besides looking back and acknowledging past heroics, what about the current crop of heroes and heroines in Namibia, who are fighting gallant and noble battles each day to take their families, communities and country forward?
Lost in the harkening back is the truth that heroes come in all shapes and sizes, and not from the same political movement. Also, when the past is continually glorified, the reality of the present and the aspirations we have for the future are not given their true place of importance.
As a nation wracked with immense challenges, it is also of importance that national holidays become a place of honest assessment and forward-looking solutions.
Having said that, it was still quite perturbing to hear Vice-President Nangolo Mbumba using this national platform at Nkurenkuru on Sunday to try to lay to rest the disputed outcome of the Swapo elective congress that took place in November last year.
Mbumba's comments regarding Geingob's status as president of the party felt out of place at the event, even when he juxtaposed them as being a message from current ruling party secretary-general Sophia Shaningwa.
It should not be the norm that internal party dynamics are mentioned on such a national platform, given that the goal should be to unify the nation at such an important event, which is funded by the taxpayer.
Such convolution should be pointed out and challenged, given that it isolates those who have no interest in the internal dynamics of the ruling party.
It has also become the norm for Swapo to position itself as the centre of such celebrations. Perhaps this is understandable, given that such platforms are often used as campaigning tools. But if Namibia is truly to embrace these kinds of days as nationally celebrated occasions, party politics must take a back seat to the aspirations and challenges facing the country.
Besides looking back and acknowledging past heroics, what about the current crop of heroes and heroines in Namibia, who are fighting gallant and noble battles each day to take their families, communities and country forward?
Lost in the harkening back is the truth that heroes come in all shapes and sizes, and not from the same political movement. Also, when the past is continually glorified, the reality of the present and the aspirations we have for the future are not given their true place of importance.
As a nation wracked with immense challenges, it is also of importance that national holidays become a place of honest assessment and forward-looking solutions.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article