Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro
After everything was said and done, including both good and bad speeches, some well-meaning and others not worth the paper they were written on, most of these speeches lacked sincerity, as has become routine; many were more like recitals than genuine speeches. Therefore, Yours Truly Ideologically could not derive many takeaways from them.
Other than the remarks of one of the unionists, “Comrade”, inviting and informing fellow “Comrades” to what would be perhaps the most pleasing and physically and practically nourishing moment of the observance of Workers Day and May Day, as it is also alternatively known. She clarified that this day, Workers Day, dedicates itself to “the honourables”, the workers. This is in juxtaposition to the others, the VIPs, whoever they may have been. The momentarily “honorables” had to remain in their seats in the Oshakati Independence Stadium, where, notwithstanding their newly bestowed status, they would be served rations for the day. The usual honorables and excellencies, who had been elevated to VIP status, were then escorted to a tent specifically designed for them. The stadium’s stands were deemed suitable for the employees and/or general public.
Indeed, admittedly a far cry from when food would be hurled at the people, as seen once at an independence anniversary celebration at the Coast. But essentially this symbolises and encapsulates the reality of the divide between the haves and have-nots. One would have assumed in this regard the VIPs, whatever it may have meant by the organisers and host, this day being what it is and means and should mean for the workers, they would be the VIPs.
However, this gesture reflects the reality of the workers’ situation in an independent Namibia, given that the necessary courtesy had to be extended to the would-be VIPs. They are largely ensnared in their traditional role as labourers and members of the working class. In which most are still lavishing, if lavishing is the correct description, in poverty due to starvation wages.
Undeniably workers find themselves in this situation because of the exploitative capitalist system. Well aware of its exploitative nature, the ruling political elite are in an unholy alliance with employers, the so-called investors, and, worst of all, the unions, whose leaders basically seem to have been doing little, if anything, about it. Both politicians and unions consistently make promises of improving the workers’ lives on successive Workers Days. Leaving one with the essential question: is tampering with the current production system, essentially a capitalist one, what promises the workers betterment?
The President, Her Excellency Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah (NNN), in her speech on the day, issued what has been described in the media as a “stern warning”. She is well aware that workers in the country are starving not due to any other reason but because of the structure of the capitalist economic system.
“We cannot speak of freedom and independence without addressing economic injustice. Workers cannot continue to live in poverty while contributing significantly to the growth of industries,” was the presumed stern warning of NNN. Hers surely must just be a resonation and resemblance of many a presidential speech on Workers’ Day. “This year’s theme, ‘Social Justice and Decent Work for All’, is a call to action and reminds us of the importance of creating a fair, inclusive, and equitable society where every individual has access to dignified work and a decent standard of living,” said her predecessor, Nangolo Mbumba, last Workers’ Day. May
“I urge all stakeholders to deliver on their mandate of upholding and protecting workers’ rights and interests by promoting sound labour relations and fair employment practices. In accordance with our processes, systems and institutions, employers should promote conducive working environments and fair benefits for employees. IIn the same vein, stakeholders should engage in good faith during collective bargaining to mitigate the economic downturn’s impact on workers and must always resolve labour disputes in a manner that advances the interests of the Republic of Namibia,” said late President Hage Geingob in his Workers Day message in 2023.
“I must emphasise that stable labou relations represent an important ingredient in our efforts to grow the economy and attract foreign investment to our country. In this light, the government is committed to the promotion of the tripartite partnership among all stakeholders,” said the second Namibian president in his inaugural Workers Day address in 2005. “Our aim is to create and engender a climate that is conducive for economic growth and investments. In this regard, the government is taking necessary steps by initiating new laws and amending existing ones with the purpose of improving the living conditions of our people in general and that of workers in particular, President Hifikepunye Pohamba said in probably what must have been his last Workers Day message before exiting two years later as president.
More than anything, reflections by the various leaders, past and present, on the conditions of workers seem more in the context of productivity, capitalist productivity, for that matter. Than the rights of workers intrinsically. Workers’ rights and the improvement of their conditions being a means towards an end but not an end in themselves. Despite unions seeming to continue to be coy and cowed into the dominance and endless and meaningless promises of the so-called tripartite alliance. But which is essentially a mechanism for keeping the unions in check and thereby pacifying the workers. With no tangible improvements in the conditions of the workers notwithstanding the government’s pretence.
Thus, this year’s Workers Day, like many before, proved yet another public relations exercise by both the government and, sadly, the docile union leaders. The pacification of the workers has been further cemented. In the name of productivity and economic growth, the outputs thereof have had little change, if any, in the material conditions of the workers. Business as usual.
