EDITORIAL: No one rules forever

The Botswana Democratic Party’s (BDP) spectacular fall from grace after 58 years in power has sent shockwaves across southern Africa, not least in Namibia, where a general election looms large. Locally, many have started humming to late Jackson Kaujeua’s hit song ‘The Winds of Change’, implying that the creature that devoured BDP and the ANC in South Africa earlier in the year is still on the hunt. The declining fortunes of the liberation movements in the region have unsettled Swapo, which cheekily suggested last weekend that the Botswana tape will not replay itself in Namibia. In contrast, the local opposition is emboldened by a renewed belief that it can replicate the successes of their counterparts in Botswana. Swapo is now counting on its history to recharge its conviction ahead of November 27. During 34 years’ unopposed dominance of a nation, it’s hard to suddenly accept that a failure of BDP proportions is a realistic possibility. In fairness, no one is guaranteed anything. It would be arrogant of any party in the country to simply think Namibians would carry it on their shoulders to the proverbial ‘Promised Land’ without showing a clear vision for the future. The cocky and blasphemous assertions that Swapo would rule until Jesus comes suggest that it is no longer up to the people to decide their own fate, but party leaders themselves. Neither Swapo nor the opposition have a divine right to rule us. Namibians, by their own volition, will make that call themselves. We are not a cult in which veneration and devotion are demanded and assured of anyone.