The power is with the people The world is still reeling with the news that Donald Trump took the American presidential elections. While much has been said about the American electorate, the exit polls have been dissected and riots and marches against his victory continue, there are lessons for governments across the world to learn from his victory.When Julius Malema broke with the ANC and formed the Economic Freedom Fighters, very few took him seriously, but as with Trump, Malema spoke to the heart of the people, as outlandish as his message was.
Governments must remember, and this includes our own Swapo-led government, that they should never underestimate how fed up a country’s population can be. In our little corner of the world, the bulk of our people are languishing in poverty and so dire is the situation that the matter of the affordability of sanitary towels was discussed in parliament.
Government will also do well to note that our people are informed. The traditional avenues of news have changed and the powers that be can no longer control the message that goes out. Blind allegiance to Swapo, as it was two decades ago, no longer exists.
We see it on social media with attacks on the government for cronyism, corruption and practising tribalism.
Our people are not blind… they see the lifestyles of the top officials while they hustle daily to make ends meet. And while we are not there yet, our people will reach a point of satiety which will be reflected in the polls.
As with the American people.
Things in the free world are not as good as they used to be and it is not relevant whether Obama or Bush is to blame. What is relevant is the general mood of the people, the daily challenges they need to overcome, the threats to their immediate security and a presidential candidate who lied, repeatedly.
Trump’s message struck at the heart of what the Americans fear, the majority in any case and now he moves into the White House. It is time that our government, and those across the world, take stock.
The power does indeed lie with the people.