RDP secretary for foreign relations and director general of administration, Mr Libolly Haufiku, writes:
One of the RDP’s major challenges is to explain why our vision of an open opportunity society is the best chance for Namibia. The vast majority of Namibians are not interested in political theories or comparative politics.
Not even the vivid example of Zimbabwe – the ultimate closed, crony society right on our doorstep, is sufficient to make the point. It will take a long time for Namibians to understand that elections are not about flags and big rallies but elections are about learning from the past to make the right policy choices for our country’s future.
To speak about the RDP’s vision is to speak about our blueprint for a winning nation which has been presented in our manifesto. The manifesto is based on carefully crafted and mutually reinforcing policies that set out practical steps to attain our vision. This manifesto is the compass by which we must steer, to become one nation with one common future. The coming elections will be a contest between two visions which would take our country in opposite directions.
These divergent visions can be described as the “RDP’s open opportunity society for all versus Swapo’s closed crony based society for some.” Surely the first option leads to success; the second inevitably to failure like in Zimbabwe. As we all sit here tonight, we know very well that our democracy is under threat, corruption is rampant, a terrible cancer eating into the very soul of Namibia and the ruling party is in a panic mode!
In an open opportunity society for all, the citizens have the chances they need to shape their own lives, improve their skills and follow their dreams. Their government focuses on promoting and expanding equal opportunities for all.
People are not held back by gender, religion, colour, disability or prejudice. Outcomes are linked to effort – not special favours handed out by the dominant clique in the ruling party. People use their opportunities and thereby create new opportunities for others. That’s the society the RDP offers you.
That’s the society our manifesto brings to life. In a closed, crony society dear comrades, peoples’ prospects depend on who they know in the ruling party, not what they know. The closed, crony society is not about creating opportunities; it’s about jobs for comrades and deals for political contracts. It’s about creating dependency.
It involves a closed circle of insiders looking after each other, with less and less for everyone else. It robs people of opportunities. It inevitably leads to corruption. It in fact manufactures poverty! And this is what Swapo has been doing for the past few years. They lost the vision, no accountability whatsoever, resources are being plundered. In short, the Swapo manifesto is pro-poverty and not pro-poor.
Today the RDP offers Namibia a vision to bring change and hope. It is a vision that offers every Namibian the opportunity to become the best they can be; to fulfil their own potential and our collective dream of one prosperous nation with a shared future. Creating opportunities is the focus of all our policies, because we believe that the only way to eradicate poverty is by expanding opportunities through sustained job-creating economic growth and significantly improved education system.
Our education policy aims to improve the quality of education and develop skills so that Namibians can use the opportunities of an expanding, knowledge based economy. To improve the quality of education, we will set performance targets for teachers and schools and reward good performance.
We will focus on making dysfunctional schools work better by establishing task teams and implementing a mentoring programme. To ensure that pupils from poor families have access to quality education, we will introduce a per-child pre-school state subsidy and encourage a national network of community based early childhood education centres. We will create an open society by protecting and defending the Constitution and by putting power back where it belongs – in the hands of citizens.
We want politicians to be frightened of the voters. How do we intend to do that? In our manifesto, it is clearly stated that an RDP led government will propose constitutional amendments to replace the party list system with competitive constituency system, which provides for the direct election of MP’s by the electorate and secondly, propose a constitutional amendment to eliminate the current fusion of power where ministers are also legislators.
We equally propose to bring real changes in our health system which is in a terrible state. Sizeable investment in our health system will be a priority. The RDP is the only party with a plan to entrench democracy, promote peace and good governance and create jobs. It is the only party that gives real hope to the youth, women, marginalized communities and others who have been ignored in our society by a visionless government.
The RDP is aware of the enormous tasks ahead. However, we are prepared and determined to work with everyone to secure a better life and do what is necessary, wherever and whenever possible. Our policy on inclusiveness is very clear and loud. Yes, the RDP can and is ready to govern the country and deliver on its promises such a jobs, better education and health, food security, better housing, rural development, peace and security for your families.
Let me assure you here that the RDP is a home for everyone. For the first time in this country’s short history since independence, the people of Namibia have been offered an alternative party other than Swapo, viz the RDP, the party determined to bring real change to Namibia. From the 27-28 November 2009, the people of Namibia have a choice – to punish Swapo for its corruption, arrogance and the threat it poses to our basic human rights through the communication bill.
Hence your vote for RDP is an investment for a better future. You are humbly requested to make a meaningful contribution to the RDP’s worthy cause by contributing financially or materially to stop this current corrupt government.
The choice before all Namibians is whether we have five more years of the same problems or a new beginning, a future of hope and opportunity for the people of Namibia.
