Editorial: Democracy means everyone gets to speak
In a statement released last weekend, the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) took aim at a public meeting in Walvis Bay organised by a local residents association and attended by senior Swapo figures.
IPC branded the gathering a “dictatorial manoeuvre” and “fraudulent coercion” aimed at undermining the municipality it leads. The rhetoric was fiery, the accusations sweeping.
But buried beneath the political theatre is a troubling sentiment: that the residents of Walvis Bay have no business meeting, speaking to, or petitioning whomever they choose if those conversations happen to involve Swapo. That is a dangerous, intolerant position for any party – especially one that styles itself as a champion of democracy.
Local democracy is not only about electing councillors every five years; it is also about the ongoing right of residents to voice grievances, share ideas and seek redress – whether through official channels, civil society groups or even political rivals of the incumbents.
Walvis Bay residents did not surrender their agency in 2020; they retained it and they are entitled to engage any party or leader willing to listen.
To be clear, the right to assemble and petition is protected in Namibia’s Constitution. There is no legal or moral restriction preventing residents from expressing dissatisfaction through meetings that involve opposition parties, ruling parties or independent movements.
Yes, Swapo has a chequered history in Walvis Bay, from the Fishrot scandal to years of alleged mismanagement. But in an open democracy, political opportunism is not illegal – it is part of the competitive marketplace of ideas.
The alternative is an Orwellian democracy where political loyalty dictates who citizens can speak to, and dissent is dismissed as “fraudulent” simply because it comes through the wrong door. That is not freedom; it is factional control.
IPC branded the gathering a “dictatorial manoeuvre” and “fraudulent coercion” aimed at undermining the municipality it leads. The rhetoric was fiery, the accusations sweeping.
But buried beneath the political theatre is a troubling sentiment: that the residents of Walvis Bay have no business meeting, speaking to, or petitioning whomever they choose if those conversations happen to involve Swapo. That is a dangerous, intolerant position for any party – especially one that styles itself as a champion of democracy.
Local democracy is not only about electing councillors every five years; it is also about the ongoing right of residents to voice grievances, share ideas and seek redress – whether through official channels, civil society groups or even political rivals of the incumbents.
Walvis Bay residents did not surrender their agency in 2020; they retained it and they are entitled to engage any party or leader willing to listen.
To be clear, the right to assemble and petition is protected in Namibia’s Constitution. There is no legal or moral restriction preventing residents from expressing dissatisfaction through meetings that involve opposition parties, ruling parties or independent movements.
Yes, Swapo has a chequered history in Walvis Bay, from the Fishrot scandal to years of alleged mismanagement. But in an open democracy, political opportunism is not illegal – it is part of the competitive marketplace of ideas.
The alternative is an Orwellian democracy where political loyalty dictates who citizens can speak to, and dissent is dismissed as “fraudulent” simply because it comes through the wrong door. That is not freedom; it is factional control.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article