By Dr. Elijah Ngurare
I accept that there are a lot of perceptions about the SWAPO Party Youth League (SPYL) in our country. Some perceptions are fair but others are misleading. For example, prior to the 2009 Presidential and National Assembly elections a lot of names and misconceptions were thrown around by some people. The prevailing perception was that all our actions as SPYL were being directed by a "third force" and as a "thirst for power" because we wanted to go to Parliament and so forth.
After the 2009 Presidential and National Assembly elections, once again perceptions about SPYL, both good and bad, continue.
I deemed it thus necessary to write a short article to shed some light on SPYL activities with a view to enhance understanding in the public about what SPYL is, constitutionally.
I must hasten to add that perceptions about SPYL are there and will continue to be there, and so this article should therefore not be viewed as an attempt to rest such perceptions.
In a democratic society like ours, every citizen or group of people are entitled to exercise their freedom of speech in a responsible and constructive manner. There are people, however, who always attempt to construct images of reality out of what they perceive to be real even if the image is an optical illusion.
Indeed, in the philosophy of perception, Maurice Merleau-Ponty and Colin Smith in their celebrated study of "Phenomenology of Perception" pages 484 and 486 inform us that "the processes of perception routinely alter what humans see. When people view something with a preconceived concept about it, they tend to take those concepts and see them whether or not they are there. This problem stems from the fact that humans are unable to understand new information, without the inherent bias of their previous knowledge.
"A person's knowledge creates his or her reality as much as the truth, because the human mind can only contemplate that to which it has been exposed. When objects are viewed without understanding, the mind will try to reach for something that it already recognizes, in order to process what it is viewing. That which most closely relates to the unfamiliar from our past experiences, makes up what we see when we look at things that we don't comprehend."
Therefore, our critics often view us with a preconceived concept of what SPYL should be based on, not the reality of modern living and existence but rather with inherent bias of their previous knowledge and, possibly, expectation of what SPYL should still be.
Such perceptions overlook the evolution of knowledge through technology. Imagine the existence of cellular phone technology during the bitter days of the liberation struggle? But that is what it is, just "imagination" because the cellular phone technology did not exist.
Similarly many of the young people who are members of SPYL today can only imagine what life in Namibia was without cellular technology or independence. These are our youth and these are our children, they never chose to be born late, in our view they were born just at their right time.
Each generation is charged with a solemn duty to chart befitting courses of its time. It is our right to have perceptions about our young people but it is also our obligation to accept that the old will not become young but the young will become old. That is the way it is.
For the most part, those who usually psychoanalyze SPYL always forget that SPYL is a constitutional structure with Aims and Objectives or that its members have Rights and Obligations with accountability to the structures of SWAPO Party.
In this regard an elected government's ministry/office/agency would be out of place to exert influence or pressure on SPYL. Put simply, SPYL is not expected to report to a government ministry/office/agency.
Since the government is both in form and structure, a reflection of the wishes of SWAPO Party members, it follows that SWAPO Party leaders become ministers and so forth.
In this context, it is our national duty as SPYL to respect and uphold the letter and spirit of those cadres who are deployed to represent SWAPO Party in government.
But such duty cannot and should not be based on blind loyalty or obedience but rather on the reciprocal understanding that the deployee too has an obligation and duty to the party.
Rightly so, SPYL has been critical about some actions of those deployed in government and at times we have praised their good deeds as well.
However, for those who are deployed to implement the Election Manifesto, to its letter and spirit, yet they end up betraying it or continue to hire external consultants who often produce documents that are not grounded in the Namibian reality or a reflection of the Election Manifesto, SPYL has remained critical.
In other words, in this instance, it would be wrong for SPYL to become a praise singer to such eventuality. Generally, it is not wrong for SPYL to demand the implementation of the SWAPO Party manifesto and other programmes as stipulated in its political programme and/or directives of its congress.
All these programmes are aimed at the socio-economic development of Namibia. The SWAPO Party is voted into power for a specific purpose and that is to bring about meaningful developments in Namibia and to consolidate peace and security so that our sovereignty and territorial integrity is not to be compromised.
Equally, there must never be a concept of some being "SWAPO ministers" and others being "Namibian ministers".
If someone is ashamed to stand in the public campaigning for SWAPO Party but yet is happy to be wheel-barrowed to stardom in government either as minister, permanent secretary, ambassador, director, or managing director, etc. for whatever consideration, should such person, in his/her conduct, do that which is contrary to the Election Manifesto and Political Programme of the SWAPO Party, it must be excepted, as a matter of principle, that SPYL should never be co-opted into silence just for the sake of it.
For doing so is a betrayal of the SWAPO electorate both in the past and in the future.
As we have said in times before, the government is accountable to the electorate of SWAPO Party. This framework of accountability should be made known through operationalisation of modalities of implementing the Election Manifestos, etc.
In this context, it will be far-fetched therefore to expect SPYL to behave like kindergarten toddlers who possess no opinion or inalienable right and intellect of our people and society's historical transformation.
We also need to understand the whole concept of governance.
In democratic society, government does not exist until it is formed by the party that wins the election and not the other way round.
If a single party fails to win enough votes to govern alone, then it enters into negotiation with a party or parties with similar principles to form a coalition government.
Yes, government is formed to govern the country in the best interests of the people, but not at the expense of the mandate upon which it was elected by the electorate.
The historic origin of SPYL is well known and is contemplated in the SWAPO Party Political Programme. SPYL came into existence after a Resolution of the SWAPO Consultative Congress at Tanga, Tanzania, during the months of December and January, 1969/1970, which created wings such as SWAPO Youth League, the SWAPO Women's Council, the SWAPO Elders' Council and the National Union of Namibian Workers as an affiliate organization.
The Political Programme further informs us that the "immediate result of the implementation of that Tanga Programme was the rise en masse of anti-colonial militancy actions in the country, as demonstrated by the 1971/1972 general strike by the workers and the daring activities of the SWAPO Youth League during the 1971/1974 period. These activities resulted in the arrest and imprisonment on Robben Island of many Youth League leaders, like Comrades Nashilongo Taapopi, Jerry Ekandjo, Martin Kapewasha, and others".
In the English language daring as an adjective which means "bold or courageous; fearless or intrepid; adventurous".
As will be known, the synonym of daunting is bravery. What this implies is that the Youth League has always been led with bravery, boldness, fearlessness, intrepidness with courage.
In other words it was not meekness and cowardice which led generations of Youth League members and leaders to be at the forefront of the liberation struggle for the total independence of our Motherland.
Equally in this second liberation struggle of economic empowerment and independence, it will not be meekness, cooption or cowardice that will lead the current generation of Youth League members and leaders to the forefront of genuine economic empowerment, youth empowerment and rural empowerment. To silence our current SPYL generation is to betray those who went before us and those who shall come after us.
Hence it is our duty and obligation to be patriotically stubborn as a constitutionally transmitting belt of the SWAPO Party ideology, policies and programmes. So what exactly is SPYL and how does it operate?
Article 2 of the SWAPO Party Youth League Constitution, as adopted in harmony with the SWAPO Party Constitution by the 3rd SPYL Congress (2002), defines SPYL as " a progressive youth political wing, born out of the crucibles of the anti-colonial struggle for freedom and national independence, and embodies the same principles as those of SWAPO Party. SPYL serves as an active, revolutionary, and militant transmitting belt of the SWAPO Party ideology, policies and programmes".
Under Article 3 it is stated that "the aims and objectives of the SPYL shall be essentially those enshrined in Chapter I of Article III of the SWAPO Party Constitution, and in accordance with Chapter V, Article XVI (A) (5) of the SWAPO Party Constitution", and shall include but not be limited to the following:
- "To be vigilant and constantly combat all forms and tendencies of nepotism, favouritism, moral decay, tribalism, individualism, corruption, racism, regionalism and all reactionary conduct among the youth in the Namibian society;
- To inculcate in the youth a patriotic spirit, hard work, self-reliance, respect and love for cultural values and traditions, and the need to be a willing catalyst in the process of nation building and the creation of a non-exploitative, non-oppressive and democratic society;
- To promote and strengthen the Pan-African solidarity and the world wide anti-colonialist and anti-imperialist struggle for freedom and justice in the world;
- To constantly work for the promotion and upholding of the principles of democracy, accountable and transparent governance, and to promote consultation and dialogue at all levels of the Namibian society on matters of national importance;
- To mobilize and organize the Namibian youth to participate actively in economic activities as individuals, or within cooperatives or through the establishment of SPYL enterprises in order to contribute to economic development and industrialization, thereby creating job opportunities and wealth for the Namibian people;
- To educate the youth about the fact that Namibia is a free and sovereign African State and the history of Namibia, especially the struggle for national liberation for which many of Namibia's youth sacrificed their lives, and to ensure that the Namibian youth uphold, with honour and pride, Namibian history and Namibian national symbols."
As such, SPYL represents the aspirations and membership of all Namibian youth, black and white, rich and poor, and speakers of all languages who accept the Aims and Objectives of the SWAPO Party.
Broadly, there are three categories of SPYL membership, namely, those from 6-18 years are pioneers and from 18-35 years are SPYL members and the secretary should not be more than 45 years old.
Honorary membership is awarded to any "former member of SPYL or any member of SWAPO Party who contributed greatly to the development of SPYL, or a person who has distinguished himself or herself in the cause of SPYL and SWAPO Party".
All SPYL members have rights and obligations contemplated under Article 7 of the Constitution and such obligations include but are not limited to:
- Act with dedication and commitment and in the interest of the SPYL and SWAPO Party and national interest of Namibia;
- To be ever vigilant against infiltration of SPYL by persons not worthy of SPYL or SWAPO Party membership;
- To contribute towards the organic unity of the SWAPO Party and SPYL and to oppose factionalism and to be an exemplary member, always acting in the spirit of comradeship towards other party members;
- To constantly and tirelessly explain, and to ensure the implementation of, the policies and programmes of SWAPO Party;
- To promote and exercise constructive criticism without fear and to accept self-criticism with a view to overcoming any defects, errors or shortcomings in the SPYL;
- To be sincere and honest, and to protect the SWAPO Party and SPYL secrets; and
- To comply with decisions of SPYL's organs, even if he or she held a contrary view."
The National Organs of SPYL are established under Article 9 of the Constitution and are chaired by the Secretary, namely the Congress (which is the highest decision-making body of SPYL), the Central Committee, and the National Executive Committee.
The SPYL Constitution also makes provision for duties and functions of SPYL national office-bearers which are spelt out in Article 13 of the Constitution and such office-bearers are:
- The Secretary
- Deputy Secretary
- Secretary for Finance and Administration
- Secretary for Information, Publicity and Mobilisation
- Secretary for International Affairs
- Secretary for Labour and Justice
- Secretary for Education, SWAPO Pioneer Movement and Culture
- Secretary for Economic Affairs
- Secretary for Health, Population and Environment
- Two additional members
Except for the two additional members, each of the national office-bearers head a department and the constitution empowers them individually to formulate policies on such departments. Therefore each national office-bearer's terms of reference is the SPYL constitution and they have the mandate to speak on such matters.
The leadership structures of SPYL also cascade at the regional, constituency level (District), branch and section levels.
The Section of SPYL is the basic organ of the SPYL and is established at such places as factories, farms, schools, hospitals, military units and residential areas (villages etc). Between ten (10) and fifty (50) members of SPYL shall be required to constitute a section.
As indicated earlier, the foregoing article is meant to assist the reading public in understanding the SWAPO Party Youth League and how it operates. We are open to suggestions and opinions about our activities in the service of our Mighty SWAPO Party and the aspirations of the people it represents.
I want to conclude with some thought-provoking questions: why is it that whenever the SWAPO Party Youth League pronounces itself on any topic of national significance, it is always greeted with criticism and called all sorts of names?
To those who regard themselves as custodians of free speech, our critics are always perceived as expressing their freedom of speech, but our expression on any topic has always been perceived as intolerant, why?
Are we not entitled to the freedom of speech as enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of Namibia as our critics?
