EDITORIAL Increasing numbers of Swapo members are calling - publicly and under the cover of darkness - for the ruling party to self-correct or risk being blown away by the winds of change like its role model United National Independence Party (Unip) of Zambia.A combination of leadership and strong decisions is the perfect tonic Swapo needs to achieve its self-correction mission. The role of leadership in this mission would be to place the party on a path of uprightness.
Strong decision-making would mean ridding the party of corrupt elements and incompetent leaders who have dragged Swapo’s legacy into the mud by not delivering on its mandate and promises.
Swapo is trapped in the bondage of blind loyalty, which has served narrow interest and the survival of a few, while robbing the party of its institutional strength, credibility and even safety from perishing.
The ANC in South Africa was decisive in giving its secretary-general Ace Magashule 30 days to vacate office following damaging allegations of corruption. It’s a painful decision which might even cause internal divisions, but it’s a huge drawcard for liberal voters who form the majority of electorates these days.
The contemptuous attitude and impunity which have characterised the party, where wrong is celebrated and right is punishable, has pushed Swapo to the edge of collapse. The party has a chance to negotiate its way out of the sticky mud by taking a tough stance against immoral acts.