I am not a political analyst, but my opinion and views to your topic of concern are as follow; I am not agreeing with you, to say SWAPO is not for Namibia because it was because of SWAPO that now we can now mention "Namibia" and SWAPO had ruled this country for 18 years now but till the country is viewed by the outside world as one of the democratic country among the others, and its has recorded many achievements and success during the 18 year of independence, that I thing yourself have witnessed. However, it doesn't mean SWAPO is perfect, there are areas where improvement is required and hard work mostly on the economic welfare of the entire nation as well as the fighting of the deadly diseases such HIV/ADIS.

On the RDP, I am still disagree with you, because this is just a new party and had never tested a chance to rule Namibia. Therefore, its premature to say its not good for the country. Yes, you compared it with SWAPO, because its from SWAPO (you want to say "like a father like a son) that may be wrong because each party have its own manifesto and principles of ruling. Myself I don't know how RDP is, but I know a bit of background of people behind the party and may be, I say may be they may rule if get chance but I doubt.

For the parties you mentioned to combine effort in order to fight the above two, I doubt if that can happen here in Namibia of leaders like power, who you think will want to be under who. example COD there is still a case pending in the high court. That is just a dream, unless you turn it the other way and say all those party merge into SWAPO and RDP then there will be two political parties, which again may be impossible due to tribalism song here in Namibia.

juikk,

I agree that the fragmented opposition should have come together long ago. All that is keeping them apart is - as you say - their fragile egos. On the other hand, if even two faction of the COD cannot agree and the one takes the other to court, what future is there for a united opposition?

Tuhafeni's point is also taken. The RDP has only been a lot of bluster so far - like a rooster trying to tell the world just how big it is. This "whipped ex-Swapo cream" has not proven to be viable and is likely to collapse in a puddle when challenged. So far it has only been noise and you know what they say as to who makes the biggest noise.

Undeniably Namibia has done well under a SWAPO government; much better than it could or would have done under any other. For the sake of peace at last there was also no other choice in 1990 - or could you have seen the DTA being successful and internationally recognised? I simply cannot!

The one thing the ruling party must be careful of and take due cognisance of (and I say this with all due respect to our current crop of leaders) is the youth. The youngsters who were born free and are (evidently) bored stiff with the beating of the old "struggle" drum. They don't want to know what their fathers and grandfathers did to get independence. They want to know what government is doing with that independence and what it is doing for them.

Actually, reading over this again, it could mean that they ( the youngsters) would want the "pensioners" in all parties out. They want to be the ones who have the say .............

Yes or No - I don't know

Tuhafeni, still considering the rest of your posting, but have just one curiosity to satisfy for now:
So what you are saying in short if you may is that whatever gross error SWAPO may make in todays and future Namibia, we have to look the other way, just because some may hold the opinion that they are solely responsible for our independence? Because if you look carefully at the reason why I believe SWAPO and RDP is NOT GOOD FOR NAMIBIA, was and is based on the behavior of their LEaders and Supporters, which may compromise the one thing we should be thankful for, and that is peace and stability.

I believe these atacks they constantly have on each other should not be allowed to continue, so if one gives them a different reason to seize fighting (whether it is who of the two gets the biggest chunk out of Namibias wealth through a bigger support base or bloated egos and selfishness), and refocus, why in the first place they are being chosen by the majority:

To lead the Namibian Nation to prosperity, peace and harmony. I find that often Africa makes the mistake of idolizing someone,for one good deed they did, and in the process turn a blind eye to them, irrespective of whether they became murders, rapists and gross violators of human rights in the meantime....please satisfy my curiosity on this as I am not necessarily looking at the past of this country, but am concerned for the future thereof. I for one believe that we as Namibians do not need to sit and watch this warring behavior going from manageable isolated incidents to a bigger problem, but need to take pro-active action. if the 2 parties start realizing that the rest of Namibia is uniting to stand firm for peace and prosperity, surely their petty fight will no longer matter and they will have bigger issues to be concerned about?

As for whether the dream of a strong coalition is workable or not, we can still deliberate on this further.

am so sick and tired to hear that only one party has brought independence to this country, I for one disagree totally. How cud a person have the courage, pat themself on the shoulder and utter something so unselfish. I want to know one think for that matter DIDN"T EVERY SINGLE SOUL fight for this contry to become independent, even though one had to take the crown and run the country on EVERYBODIES behalf, or let me state it this way, WOULD YOU HAVE PREFER ALL PARTIES TO RUN THE COUNTRY, WOULDN'T THAT HAVE BEEN WORSE. WE ALL PARTTAKE TO BE WINNERS, BUT OF COS ONLY ONE PERSON HAS TO WIN, EVEN IN A RACE, BEAUTY PAGEANT, TO MENTION BUT A FEW.

SO stop with who brought this beautiful country to indepence and focus on our future, otherwise we will go to GOD knows where?????????? I second my motion. LETS BECOME ONE FREE NAMIBIA.

I support part of the argument, BUT would the others have had the persistence, the perseverance, the plain "go get 'em" attitude"? I may not agree with everything SWAPO did, but it is as clear as daylight that without them and without Sam getting "by hook or by crook" what he wanted, we would still either be a 5th province of SA or still somewhere in the doldrums.

Somebody had to set the stone rolling and keep it rolling through thick and thin.

In our case: Sam and Swapo!

When I was still lecturing, I often used to ask the students to open an encyclopedia and find a Namibian. There was - at that time - only one: Sam Nujoma. That should prove some point!


Ps. our guest's name could be an acronym; only I can't find the "y" ...........................................

If we don't move beyond that PERIOD of our nation's history and focus on the current and future challenges, we will be doomed. Look at Zimbabwe - they have not moved an inch beyond the liberation rhethoric and mindset.

It is undeniable that SWAPO and Nujoma played a key role in the independence and freedom of our country. Equally, though, this fact in itself is not helping to (re)solve our country's current and future problems.

How on earth are we going to MOVE FORWARD if we still bicker about who is more - or less - to blame for the sins of the past, or who is more - or less - responsible for achieving our nation's Independence?

As if apportioning blame and claiming victory in itself miraculously resolves problems and entitles people to something.

Recognising SWAPO's and Nujoma's role now, today, DOES NOT FEED HUNGRY STOMACHS.
Recogninsing SWAPO's and Nujoma's hard work now, today, DOES NOT BUILD OUR ECONOMY
Recognising SWAPO's and Nujoma's role in the Independence struggle DOES NOT RESULT IN LESS CORRUPTION, CRIME, VIOLENCE, ETC.ETC.ETC.

Neither does ignoring the contributions of people other than SWAPO or Nujoma.

GOOD LEADERSHIP - GOOD POLICIES AND POLICY FRAMEWORKS - WORK - SOME MORE HARD WORK - AND EVEN MORE WORK - COMMITMENT - INGENUITY - CREATIVITY - WISDOM - CONFIDENCE - RULE OF LAW - DEMOCRACY - FREEDOM - EDUCAITN AND THEN SOME MORE VERY HARD WORK WILL MOVE US AHEAD

GET REAL MY PEOPLE!!!!!!! WAKE UP FROM YOUR SLUMBER! THE WORLD IS MOVING ON AND IT IS LEAVING US BEHIND!"

Now, as far as the current topic goes: A coalition of the smaller political parties, if it is based on a shared set of values and principles, as well as a shared vision of our Republic's future, cannot be a bad thing. If such a coalition would come about, it could present to the Namibian people an alternative to the currently prevailing SWAPO policies and Government. That can also not be a bad thing.

However, if such a coaliation would merely be a collection of politicians with ambitions and strong personalities then I would be very sceptical about its ultimate success. This is also one reason I remain sceptical about the RDP: Is it really a party with different principles, values and a new vision for Namibia, and new, fresh policy ideas about resolving the current problems? Or is it more of the same. Remember, the leopard cannot change its spots....

I am no politicians, but to my understanding, I think that SWAPO only WON the ELECTION which all parties took part in, but as a nation we all Namibians brought and fought for the independence of this country.

What if COD, DTA,UDF or any other party rather than SWAPO had won, cud we also have said that it was BEN ULENGA or whoever,was the key and the main man who brought us independence.

Lets once again focus on the peace and stability of our NAMIBIA.

face facts .. there is no difference in ideology between SWAPO and RDP .. just the faces are different.