Perhaps, for the moment it all depend on tactical planning on the side of the leadership. In spite of its ability, these are reputable ex-members of SWAPO's "think tanks", things it could turn quiet muggy.

Evidently, RDP is not only up the high road for other than the lucrative northern, regions' constituencies, but also up against a seasoned nemisis. SWAPO is well entrenched both locally where it is certain to play its "ethnic card" as well as regionally, were it is reputed for its frivolous spending.

Contrary to conventional wisdom, SWAPO and Namibia congruents.

In its strong arsenal, one tool has since the very beginning served SWAPO exceptionally well. And this is its virulent rhetorica propaganda, in conjunction with the timeless cultural tradition. Thanks for opting out of earliest colonial conflicts, the cultural traditions unlike that of the people in the southern regions, remains intact.

Through exploitation of the international community's ignorance, that has been caused by the vicious Apartheid system, in tandem with the rhetorical propaganda, SWAPO exclusively reaped all there was for the Namibian people: "United Nations "sole and authentic" recognition and whatever had come with it.

In the early 1970's Namibia's most able minds- students and teachers, etc. from the colonial institutes of higher education, had in the absence of a responsible political socialization tool in the traditional set-up, resorted to SWAPO's nationalistic rhetorics. Consequently, an unparralleled, cultural diversed brain drain that took place. The Lubango's dungeon report is a vivd testimony to this episode.

This is what RDP will definitely face. A vehemently astute political machine of international calibre. Upon ascenssion to national political level, SWAPO left no "stone unturned." While maintaining the status of an emerging third world democratic process's facade, it actually perfected its quasi- socialist system of "patronage-and-cronism." Pariachs- Cuba, North Korea, China continue to exploit the people, at the administration's behest.

All in the name of democracy. Actually a dubious "proportional representational" version. That perpetrates "wholesale maginalization" which is equivalent to the denial of universal suffrage. In this particular scenario, the democratic majority tenet is deliberately confused with ethnic majority, who inhabits a given political constituency (ies). Thus, denial of local autonomies to regions out side of those of the ethnic majority's, amounts to a gross human rights violation.

Invariably, SWAPO's power consolidation has done to the nation, what fascist regimes elsewhere had accomplished. The removal of the system of transparency and accountability, undue enrichment of a few, while empoverishing the majority, creation of traditional, hierarchical power vacuum, etc.

Belatedly, an emerging political opposition against a de facto totalitarian rule, will be warm heartedly welcomed. Even if it is just a hick-up.

Perserverance at this time, against a barrage of attacks is all that is needed. For a definite political security is a rare phenomenon in our modern era. The democratic and the rule of law will prevail. And the people will speak through the ballots.

On the darker side, RDP just as its predecesors will have to face virtual insummountable obstacles: a lack of a clear dichotomy between educated judgement and adherence to parochial mystics; inherent apathy toward "issue-oriented" procelytization; the incumbent's desire to hung-on to power indefinitely and the subsequent inability to distinguish national properties from SWAPO's wealth.

The dismantling of power over State Owned enterprises (SOE's), parastatals groups, and the banishment of vigilantes (SPYL) that could other wise turn any one's dreams into an actual nightmare. CoD, DTA, etc. could have done what RDP is envisaging.

On the brighter site, SWAPO is also not the tyrant the region has known. There are more positive aspects about it. A competent infrastructure, a viable economy, political regional system that transcends traditional ethnic orietation, and so forth are already on the ground. Ready to reform. Circumstances will naturally dictate events, and the people will arise above expectations.

The numerous empediments, supra are not all as reculcitrant and visceral as they appear. Others before had to sort through more complex mazes.

The issue of deficient local autonomy within a democratic system has much to do with political socialization and political participation. With a responsible institutes on the ground, this could be reversed. Colonial administrations in the past went farther to deny the people human and civil rights, through arbitrary laws but today, all is now history. In retrospect, the Natives Administrative Act of 1927, the Representation of Natives Act of 1936, the population Registration Act and the Group Areas Act, all attempted to accomplish just this. Yet, today the South African people have eventually repealed and replaced them with meaningful measures.