TheNamibian

GWEN LISTER

THE decision is causing much public speculation, but Swapo's intention to launch a party 'think tank' is in essence a very good idea.

There are those immediately suspicious of Swapo's innovation, but I like to think it is a positive move to deepen discussion within Swapo and to take that debate outside of existing party structures.

And it is hard for me to resist saying that 'thinking' is something we don't do enough of in this country, and so it must be welcomed when and where it happens!

In an announcement last Friday, Swapo Secretary General Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana said that the 'think tank' would constitute several subcommittees, to work on, among others, economic, political, diplomatic, social and governance issues.

Analysis of all things Swapo, in short, which would be a good thing.

Speaking at the same occasion, Jerry Ekandjo, Swapo's Secretary for Information, had a slightly different take on the 'think tank', saying it had been created to prepare for the 2009 elections and with a view to Swapo going for a clean sweep of all the parliamentary seats! Perhaps this slight divide of opinion will be reflected within the ranks of the 'think tank' itself.

Some will view it simply as a tool to maximise the party's national clout, while others will see its function as more analytical of the party in a holistic sense.

While I personally have reservations about some of the named choices for the 'think tank', and do not necessarily agree with Ekandjo's statement that (all) the nominees represent the 'intellectual cream of Swapo', it may not be a bad thing that it constitutes a mix of people and viewpoints.

It would be a pity if the 'think tank' didn't have a far-reaching mandate to bring about change in crucial areas and examine issues of priority, because it could then degenerate into another propaganda arm of the party.

Some of the people included in the group are serious and independent-minded party cadres who would probably not want themselves to be used simply to do Swapo's bidding, and would prefer to put their 'thinking' abilities to good use in a variety of ways.

One of these (in my view) includes, most importantly, how Swapo deals with political opposition, and how that weighs up with its commitment to democracy and the party's own stated goal of national reconciliation, the architect of which was none other than the Founding Father, former President Sam Nujoma.

But I also feel Swapo needs to re-assess its position in Africa and the rest of the world.
Our international world view is both lacking and outdated.

We need, as a country, to take stronger positions on African and other crises, for our silence is deafening.

Swapo needs to be, in short, more 'on the ball' than it is at present, especially in cases like the present world economic meltdown, which must have resonance and effect here sooner or later and we need to be prepared for whatever comes.

Since Swapo policies underpin our Government, and are likely to continue to do so for the foreseeable future, this 'think tank', although clearly a party and not Government institution, would be well-placed to make recommendations in key areas, such as the abovementioned, to take Swapo right out of liberation-era politics.

Nearly two decades after the struggle has ended, there are still those who cling to the past, and they must be brought into a democratic and enlightened future.
It is obviously early days.

Too soon to predict whether the 'think tank' can or will be a success.

Similar initiatives in the past have been doomed to failure, so I'd like to think if some of the key players are really serious about this initiative, that they will pull out all stops to ensure it makes its mark in a significant manner.

It will, at the end of the day, depend entirely upon the commitment of those involved.

And thereafter, on whether their views will be taken seriously by Swapo itself.

I'm convinced it is a good idea.

I am not convinced about all the nominees for this 'think tank'.

I might have made very different choices, from within Swapo ranks, with some exceptions.

But then again, it is not my choice.
But it must be remembered this is not a Government-appointed body.

It is a group put in place to advise Swapo, and the criticisms that people level against it, rightly or wrongly, must be seen in this context. Hopefully it will start work sooner rather than later.