The African economic renaissance is the political manuscript for 26 November
But what about us, the youth?
The notion of an African economic renaissance has become a recurring theme in today's continental politics.
It is a political paradigm that has emerged across the continent, emphasising youth empowerment, structural change and renewed growth and rural inclusion.
Yet, as we approach the regional council and local authority elections this month, there are fundamental political weaknesses that inhibit efforts to attract youth closer to political players.
The critical questions are what links the ideals of the African economic renaissance with Namibia’s economic development and whether this proclamation is rooted in grassroots regional and local authority messaging with a clear focus on the youth, beyond the most vulnerable rural citizens.
There is a rhetorical friction between the epistemology of the African renaissance and local realities. At the centre of understanding the politics is the idea that the African economic renaissance signals a break from unpopular phenomena such as dependency and structural marginalisation, pointing toward a future of more inclusive development.
Its vision is that the rural population and the poorest citizens are not left behind but rather integrated into the local governance developmental value chains, service delivery and decision-making. It is common knowledge that Namibia is amongst the sub-Saharan African countries with rigid local structures on governance, with large constituencies and 14 regions that are associated with deep inequalities and various other social ills.
Promises to the youth
The upcoming elections are upbeat in terms of readiness, according to the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN).
However, there are ominous signs about the elections. Looking at the previous elections of the regional and local authority for 2020, to be specific, only about 38.3% of registered voters cast their votes.
This is a clear illustration of a crisis of relevance at the local election level; if citizens do not vote, it is because they feel that the economic renaissance and the local governance do not have any direct expression for them.
For the promises of an economic renaissance to have meaning and to resonate with the public, its context and underlying principles must be reflected in people’s living conditions.
Better roads, jobs, access to clean water, access to services, quality health care, youth investment, rural infrastructure development and overall rural empowerment should be at the centre of all action plans outlined in political manifestos.
However, if local elections are not regarded as the grassroots foundation for economic upliftment, with clear links to economic renaissance agendas, they will become insignificant, both for the present and future youth.
Beyond all such material circumstances lies the most critical question: What about us? Before presenting a perspective on this, it is important to underscore that the youth and rural citizens are central to the envisaged promise of the African renaissance.
The youth, in particular, represent the potential labour force, yet they remain the largest constituency excluded from decision-making at the local authority level, according to scientific political analysis.
Direct approach
There appears to be an overt appeal for youth registration in the upcoming elections.
Newly formed parties such as the Association for Localised Interests (ASOLI) clearly aim to target young people, and the Affirmative Repositioning (AR) says it intends to revamp the game and reimagine the status quo by putting forward ordinary citizens such as community organisers, activists, teachers and unemployed people rather than traditional career politicians. These gestures are enticing.
These are positive developments for the youth, but we should ask whether they go beyond political party traffic. It is important to prioritise the broader interests of young people by ensuring that access to decent livelihoods, meaningful engagement and local representation that listens to rural realities are not merely urban-centric campaign slogans.
In addition, there is a crucial need to bridge the gap in Namibia’s pursuit of the African economic renaissance; otherwise, through weaknesses in its grassroots governance structures, the country risks falling behind on a major continental ideal.
However, if political players do not mirror regional and local authority elections as a political contest for power, Namibia still has the potential to become a vehicle for better transformation of the youth and rural communities.
*Efraim Tshigwana Nanyeni holds an honours degree in English and applied linguistics from the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST). He recently completed an honours degree in public governance at the same institution where he majored in political economics and governance.
It is a political paradigm that has emerged across the continent, emphasising youth empowerment, structural change and renewed growth and rural inclusion.
Yet, as we approach the regional council and local authority elections this month, there are fundamental political weaknesses that inhibit efforts to attract youth closer to political players.
The critical questions are what links the ideals of the African economic renaissance with Namibia’s economic development and whether this proclamation is rooted in grassroots regional and local authority messaging with a clear focus on the youth, beyond the most vulnerable rural citizens.
There is a rhetorical friction between the epistemology of the African renaissance and local realities. At the centre of understanding the politics is the idea that the African economic renaissance signals a break from unpopular phenomena such as dependency and structural marginalisation, pointing toward a future of more inclusive development.
Its vision is that the rural population and the poorest citizens are not left behind but rather integrated into the local governance developmental value chains, service delivery and decision-making. It is common knowledge that Namibia is amongst the sub-Saharan African countries with rigid local structures on governance, with large constituencies and 14 regions that are associated with deep inequalities and various other social ills.
Promises to the youth
The upcoming elections are upbeat in terms of readiness, according to the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN).
However, there are ominous signs about the elections. Looking at the previous elections of the regional and local authority for 2020, to be specific, only about 38.3% of registered voters cast their votes.
This is a clear illustration of a crisis of relevance at the local election level; if citizens do not vote, it is because they feel that the economic renaissance and the local governance do not have any direct expression for them.
For the promises of an economic renaissance to have meaning and to resonate with the public, its context and underlying principles must be reflected in people’s living conditions.
Better roads, jobs, access to clean water, access to services, quality health care, youth investment, rural infrastructure development and overall rural empowerment should be at the centre of all action plans outlined in political manifestos.
However, if local elections are not regarded as the grassroots foundation for economic upliftment, with clear links to economic renaissance agendas, they will become insignificant, both for the present and future youth.
Beyond all such material circumstances lies the most critical question: What about us? Before presenting a perspective on this, it is important to underscore that the youth and rural citizens are central to the envisaged promise of the African renaissance.
The youth, in particular, represent the potential labour force, yet they remain the largest constituency excluded from decision-making at the local authority level, according to scientific political analysis.
Direct approach
There appears to be an overt appeal for youth registration in the upcoming elections.
Newly formed parties such as the Association for Localised Interests (ASOLI) clearly aim to target young people, and the Affirmative Repositioning (AR) says it intends to revamp the game and reimagine the status quo by putting forward ordinary citizens such as community organisers, activists, teachers and unemployed people rather than traditional career politicians. These gestures are enticing.
These are positive developments for the youth, but we should ask whether they go beyond political party traffic. It is important to prioritise the broader interests of young people by ensuring that access to decent livelihoods, meaningful engagement and local representation that listens to rural realities are not merely urban-centric campaign slogans.
In addition, there is a crucial need to bridge the gap in Namibia’s pursuit of the African economic renaissance; otherwise, through weaknesses in its grassroots governance structures, the country risks falling behind on a major continental ideal.
However, if political players do not mirror regional and local authority elections as a political contest for power, Namibia still has the potential to become a vehicle for better transformation of the youth and rural communities.
*Efraim Tshigwana Nanyeni holds an honours degree in English and applied linguistics from the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST). He recently completed an honours degree in public governance at the same institution where he majored in political economics and governance.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article