FOR as long as Namibians fail to deliberately decolonise their own minds, Namibia will not be free, nor independent, but will remain a society that is forever in planning and campaigning, with no time and no progress towards a sustainable political and economic democracy except speeches.
The Namibian President, Dr. Hage Geingob, proved during his tenure as SADC Chairman that Namibia’s peace and stability can be exported as a constitutional trademark and close to 140-million fellow SADC-citizens from Mozambique, DRC and Madagascar appreciate the peace and smooth democratic leadership change that Namibians themselves now take for granted.
In fact, it is not peace that was signed, but rather a citizens’ compact that more hands are available to build a common future, because less fingers are on the triggers or gripping machetes.
A chronic addiction to the past is but one of the symptoms of a terminal inability to revolutionary progress and will prevent Namibians reaching their destination as an economic free society where everyone can become the best whatever they can be under any circumstances.
Namibia is not Zimbabwe, South Africa or Europe as some want the rest to believe. The opposite is true.
Zimbabweans, South Africans and a large part of the world will trade places with Namibians at a moment’s notice to escape vicious wars, the collapse of state institutions and the culture of discontent where a new way of life “State Capture” was introduced to the point of surrendering even pride.
Those Namibians that act as if fellow citizens are just political- and economic hitchhikers of the ever expanding SADC-region must wake up from the nightmare they predict from beyond borders that never comes.
Namibians must unshackle themselves of the burden of divisive administration, governance and politics and tie themselves to the national constitutional vision of a free, just and equal society.
The recovery and achievements of Rwanda, where between 500 000 and 1 000 000 people were slaughtered in just 100 days due to ethnic tensions that ended in 1994, is beyond miraculous.
Namibians will do well to remember that Paul Kagame was elected with a majority of 98, 78% when the population of Rwanda extended the presidential term, but the vote for peace and transformation was and still is generously rewarded. A majority of close to 99% is not what activists love, but Rwandese willed.
Namibian nationhood is the vigorous and instinctive pursuit of happiness and national interest above all else. In a peaceful and stable Namibia with a growing SADC and Africa of peaceful Namibians- regardless race, tribe or clan — can reasonably expect that their own circumstances can improve as much as possible and that more opportunities will present themselves to as many citizens as possible.
It is not a matter of cash, but a matter of pride.
A Namibia of unity and purpose and flag bearer of peace, stability and an independent judiciary might just be the key through which the vast resources and opportunities of the darkest heart of Africa that should benefit mankind might be unlocked.
Another close to 150-million SADC-citizens are safer with the Mozambique Peace Accord, the orderly transfer of power in the DRC and Madagascar. The Namibian President — an extension of the Nujoma/Pohamba/Geingob-legacy – succeeded where everybody for decades failed and even gave up further attempts.
Lost causes of the past are now beacons of hope.
The strengthening of democracy with credible and peaceful elections is becoming a Southern African norm and societies of peace is a factory of ideas and in the end both suppliers and consumers to the world.
Therein lie the destiny of the march of regional stability for which Namibia and its President are internationally recognised.
