We're on our own - Swartbooi
Landless People's Movement (LPM) leader Bernadus Swartbooi says African democracy is not in the interest of western nations, because they need unstable governments in order to plunder the continent's resources undeterred.
Swartbooi said this past weekend that it is extremely difficult for smaller political parties to break Swapo's two-thirds majority because “politics of the belly is the order of the day”.
According to him, powerful nations like the United States, China and Germany support former liberation movements like Swapo, so they stay in power and protect foreign business interests.
“For as long as the land remains in the hands of the Germans, they are fine. For as long as the Spanish and a select group of Namibians own all the fishing rights and quotas, it's all fine with them. There can be a bit of corruption, or even more, but it's fine with them,” Swartbooi said.
“There can be a president who does as he pleases, but for as long as the investors' interests remain intact, then it's fine. But as for you, who want to challenge the status quo, you are on your own.”
Swartbooi added that western nations only start worrying about democracy when there are talks about nationalising mines.
Another thorn in his flesh is that the smaller political parties get into bed with the ruling elite in order to feed themselves.
“They suck up to the government for pity bread or pity crumbs. I am telling you it is not so easy, it is not as simple, but we need to fight for our cause through mobilising each other to change the status quo,” he said.
JEMIMA BEUKES
Swartbooi said this past weekend that it is extremely difficult for smaller political parties to break Swapo's two-thirds majority because “politics of the belly is the order of the day”.
According to him, powerful nations like the United States, China and Germany support former liberation movements like Swapo, so they stay in power and protect foreign business interests.
“For as long as the land remains in the hands of the Germans, they are fine. For as long as the Spanish and a select group of Namibians own all the fishing rights and quotas, it's all fine with them. There can be a bit of corruption, or even more, but it's fine with them,” Swartbooi said.
“There can be a president who does as he pleases, but for as long as the investors' interests remain intact, then it's fine. But as for you, who want to challenge the status quo, you are on your own.”
Swartbooi added that western nations only start worrying about democracy when there are talks about nationalising mines.
Another thorn in his flesh is that the smaller political parties get into bed with the ruling elite in order to feed themselves.
“They suck up to the government for pity bread or pity crumbs. I am telling you it is not so easy, it is not as simple, but we need to fight for our cause through mobilising each other to change the status quo,” he said.
JEMIMA BEUKES
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