Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro
Do people need to be developed, or can they evolve towards development and eventually self-sustenance?
Yours Truly Ideologically cannot but pose this question, musing at the same time about the loose, indifferent and nonchalant, if altogether disconnected, use of the word ‘development’. Surrounding the gimmick of developing the people. While and whereas indeed the people can develop themselves through evolving towards a self-defined level of evolution dictated by their own circumstances, conditions and environments. This is to invoke a paradigm shift in the supposed development trajectory. Prompted more by the so-called development to which people have been subjected historically, especially during colonial times. When those colonising them have often pretended to develop and/or civilise them. While what they have in fact been doing is either arresting or sabotaging the people’s own natural progression. Hence the notion of the underdevelopment of Africa by Europe, notably by Guyanese historian, political activist and academic Walter Rodney, who laid bare in his book, How Europe Underdeveloped Africa, the political and economic mechanisation and marginalisation of the African people, especially the African masses, including the workers. All in the name of developing them. In the said book, Rodney theorises that a combination of power politics and economic exploitation by Europeans led to the poor state of African political and economic development as evidenced in the late 20th century. It must be emphasised that it continues to this day. Which is the so-called era of multilateralism and globalism but is evidently very much still characterised by the domination of some countries and nations by others. With countries and nations in the North, the former colonising ones, and today’s so-called developed countries and/or nations dominating the former colonised countries in the South, among them if not predominantly African countries and nations, including Namibia.
Namibia being among the last decolonised, if not thé last decolonised countries on the African continent, must have been in an advantageous position to have learnt a lesson or two from other African countries that gained independence before it. But she seems to have learnt little. To be able to avoid the pitfalls of other African countries. Including the principles, if not the ideology, OF educating and informing her development trajectory. To the extent that the country does not have any development trajectory and/or ideology to speak of. Thus, rendering what the country has been doing since independence in the name of development as no more than just political labels and/or laissez-faire trial and error. Vision 2030, the National Development Plan 1-6, and the Harambee Prosperity Plan (HPP). Yours Truly Ideologically cannot recall any of them ever having been translated into concrete, tangible development roadmaps, let alone outcomes. Regarding Vision 2030, there are only five years remaining. But it is hard and has been hard, throughout the years, to pinpoint any milestones. Let alone any semblances for the beginning of the eventual realisation of the ideals of progress and/or prosperity for the people. Nor any indication and/or sign if, within the next five years from this year, Vision 2030 is within any reach or ever attainable.
This is not as if there are and have been no gestures by successive administrations, and since the dawn of regional councils, when government is to be closer to the people for their basic needs, politicians and administrators alike have been seen to be working 24/7. But without any concrete and practical results and notable change in the standard of living of the people. Even minimally in the socio-economic interests and welfare of the so-called impoverished Namibians. Who, granted the legacy of colonial and apartheid capitalism, have in a real sense been exploited all over the years.
Yes, as they say, Rome was not built in a day. Likewise, it did not take an eternity to build Rome. As much as years of colonialism and apartheid capitalism cannot be undone in a few years, equally it must not, should not and cannot be expected to take eternity, if only starting to change things if only marginally and not wholesomely for the Namibian masses. For the masses to start believing that their would-be liberators, few of them, for that matter, are around now to deliver. Not necessarily the Biblical milk and honey promised land. But if only levelling the playing fields for them to navigate their ways through the current Namibian capitalist socio-economic quagmire.
Yours Truly Ideologically, one cannot be oblivious to the visible attempts left, right, and centre, especially by the current and new administrations, striving at omnipotence as far as service delivery is concerned. Hoping it is by no means a matter of a new broom sweeping clean. Going by its own mantra of no business as usual. Because there’s no denying from the people’s experience with previous administrations, the Swapo Party of Namibia ones for that matter, that the people’s trust has been betrayed. It remains to be seen if Her Excellency Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah (NNN)’s Swapo administration shall prove to be a different kettle of fish in this regard.
It might be too early to tell, but after how many administrations over the past 36 years since the country’s independence can the people continue to live on hope and expectations which are never met and realised? With hope and trust being smashed and quashed by one Swapo Party of Namibia administration after another and its incumbents?
Agriculture is one of the seven pillars of the new administration. Hence the roadshows all over the country currently by Her Majesty’s political lieutenants, apparently to familiarise themselves with the situations on the ground in remote Namibia all over the country. Perhaps the President is forewarned to make sure that these roadshows are not yet other pure joyrides but are meaningful. Combing and mopping each and every corner of our remote areas to gain useful facts about the dire straits of the people. They do not need to dig deeper to find evidence of desperation among the impoverished people. Going heavily under in scrambling for a living. But refusing to budge to begging bowls. All that they need is an observant eye of the government. Not so much to come to their rescue but to merely give them the necessary push. Somewhere in the Epukiro Constituency of the Omaheke Region, livestock farmers who for years now have been engaging in crop production in an act of diversification have for years now been struggling to market their produce, including beans. With their produce rotting away. A spectre which the Governor is very well aware of. Why schools and what-have-you cannot buy these products, only the governor and company can explain. Thus, Her Majesty is well advised to graciously compare notes with the Governor, who is abreast of these unfortunate situations in the Cattle Country. Where even the footprints of the much-heralded entry of the Agro Marketing and Trade Agency (AMTA) into the region are stillborn if not altogether rendered practically non-existent. This is as far as the products from communal farmers are concerned.
