EDITORIAL: Swapo at 65 and the wisdom that was promised

Last week, Swapo blew out 65 candles. If it were a human being, the party would’ve been a retired old man by now – sitting under a marula tree, telling stories of liberation with a thermos of sweet tea in hand and a well-worn cap tilted against the sun.But age, we are told, should bring wisdom. Swapo, once a wailing toddler in the 1960s cradle of revolution, is now a grandparent of politics. Yet here it is, squinting at the fingerprints on a secret ballot, furiously trying to catch whoever of its own dared to colour outside the party line in parliament.The offence? Someone helped LPM’s Utaara Mootu become deputy chairperson of a key committee. A crime, apparently, so grave it has triggered a manhunt worthy of a political thriller. This isn't the conduct of seasoned statesmanship. Democracy is that old friend who thrives on independent thought, not robotic conformity. Yes, there are moments to be loyal to the party’s cause. But there are also sacred times when loyalty must bow to the greater good – when Namibia herself must come first.Take Fenny Tutjavi. Twenty-two, fresh from her university lecture hall, now thrust into a lion's den of political veterans. Expected to step up in the absence of committee chairperson James Uerikua, a former governor. The same room includes heavyweight names like Job Amupanda, McHenry Venaani and Pohamba Shifeta. Is it really treasonous for someone to question whether she’s ready to command authority in this scenario?And if one of Swapo’s own believed the burden was too great for Tutjavi, must we now turn them into prey – pursued for daring to whisper doubt?Yes, MPs have duties to the party. But blind allegiance isn’t nobility.

EDITORIAL: Swapo at 65 and the wisdom that was promised

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-05-01

Please login to leave a comment

EDITORIAL: Swapo at 65 and the wisdom that was promised

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-05-01

Please login to leave a comment

Login