EDITORIAL: Does age matter?
"A president doesn't have to be brilliant. He doesn't have to be clever. You can hire clever. But you can't buy courage and decency, and you can't rent a strong moral sense. A president must bring those things with him."
These poignant remarks by Peggy Noonan can also help us unpack the debate about ageism in politics. Swapo presidential candidate Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has been targeted for her age, but barely anyone is speaking of her abilities, courage and decency – or lack thereof.
In America, a debate is raging about president Joe Biden’s age. He is 81, nearly two years younger than President Nangolo Mbumba, who is 83 this August. But the American people’s major concern is Biden’s perceived cognitive decline.
Unlike Biden, Nandi-Ndaitwah’s cognitive state seems intact. Therefore, our scrutiny of her ought to expand to other areas of her being, especially her overall leadership acumen compared to those vying for office against her. Let’s draw parallels from that.
After all, the world is teeming with bad youthful leaders, whatever ‘youthful’ means. Even in our country, some young leaders stand accused of heinous crimes, which landed them in jail.
‘Running’ for office shouldn’t be taken literally. One can sit, with their sharp head sitting firmly on their shoulders, and still run for office of the president – young or old.
And if young people think the older generation will voluntarily step aside for them, they are in for a long wait. Politics is a jungle where only the fittest - no pun intended - survive.
These poignant remarks by Peggy Noonan can also help us unpack the debate about ageism in politics. Swapo presidential candidate Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has been targeted for her age, but barely anyone is speaking of her abilities, courage and decency – or lack thereof.
In America, a debate is raging about president Joe Biden’s age. He is 81, nearly two years younger than President Nangolo Mbumba, who is 83 this August. But the American people’s major concern is Biden’s perceived cognitive decline.
Unlike Biden, Nandi-Ndaitwah’s cognitive state seems intact. Therefore, our scrutiny of her ought to expand to other areas of her being, especially her overall leadership acumen compared to those vying for office against her. Let’s draw parallels from that.
After all, the world is teeming with bad youthful leaders, whatever ‘youthful’ means. Even in our country, some young leaders stand accused of heinous crimes, which landed them in jail.
‘Running’ for office shouldn’t be taken literally. One can sit, with their sharp head sitting firmly on their shoulders, and still run for office of the president – young or old.
And if young people think the older generation will voluntarily step aside for them, they are in for a long wait. Politics is a jungle where only the fittest - no pun intended - survive.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article