EDITORIAL: Kudos to the smooth transition
Sunday’s smooth transition into the presidency of Nangolo Mbumba, under very trying and sombre circumstances of president Hage Geingob’s untimely death the same day, deserves special mention.
Situations like this breed insecurity the world over, but Namibia stood head and shoulders above many nations. True, it’s early days. Maybe it’s too soon to celebrate, but all indicators are currently flashing green lights only.
There was nothing glaring on the streets that suggested that the country was undergoing a transition of power. In many places, residents would have stayed indoors on the day. Those who dare step out to buy bread are not guaranteed to return home alive.
But ours was smooth sailing. So smooth that if you took a short afternoon nap on Sunday, you might not have noticed that the proverbial Namibian House has a new head.
In America, touted as one of the greatest democracies in living memory, five people lost their lives on 6 January 2021 during the country’s own leadership transition. The United States Capitol building in Washington, DC was attacked by a mob of supporters of outgoing president Donald Trump.
How can Namibia, a tiny drop in the ocean in every index compared to USA, not give herself a pat on the back for this successful moment in our history? Our state institutions may still be fledgling, but there is steady movement towards a stronger democratic society.
Situations like this breed insecurity the world over, but Namibia stood head and shoulders above many nations. True, it’s early days. Maybe it’s too soon to celebrate, but all indicators are currently flashing green lights only.
There was nothing glaring on the streets that suggested that the country was undergoing a transition of power. In many places, residents would have stayed indoors on the day. Those who dare step out to buy bread are not guaranteed to return home alive.
But ours was smooth sailing. So smooth that if you took a short afternoon nap on Sunday, you might not have noticed that the proverbial Namibian House has a new head.
In America, touted as one of the greatest democracies in living memory, five people lost their lives on 6 January 2021 during the country’s own leadership transition. The United States Capitol building in Washington, DC was attacked by a mob of supporters of outgoing president Donald Trump.
How can Namibia, a tiny drop in the ocean in every index compared to USA, not give herself a pat on the back for this successful moment in our history? Our state institutions may still be fledgling, but there is steady movement towards a stronger democratic society.
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