Age is not a problem, Swapo is the problem

SALOM WRITES:

As the election day draws closer, we need to address some misconception about leadership. Otherwise we will end up voting people based on misconception. For example, some Namibians seem to believe that the reason why our country is going down is because most of our leaders are either old or uneducated.

The truth is, Namibian leaders, be they young or old, male or female, educated or uneducated, were never good at all. Like bogus preachers and fake witchdoctors, Namibian leaders are only good at enriching themselves while blaming other people.

But some Namibians are only waking up to the reality now because the population has increased, thus multiplying our problems and laying bare the government’s failures for everyone to see.

A child staying in a shack might consider his father to be the best just because he gives him candies, fat cakes, rotten fruits and coins. Even if he is staying in a shack. But as the child gets older, he will finally realize that his father has been a failure/loser all along. Just like a child in elementary school might consider his teacher to be a genius, even if that teacher is unqualified or can barely express himself. But one day the child will finally know the truth.

It is good that Namibians are finally waking up to reality. However, we are still a long way from

becoming a nation that neither fears nor worships its leaders, a nation that demands instead of begging and complaining.

But let us face the truth about leadership. Bad leadership has nothing to do with age, gender or level of education. It has to do with a person’s characters. The truth is that age comes with wisdom, knowledge, experience and maturity. For example, The American congress is full of old people. But the American economy is still strong.

Joseph Stiglitz is 81 years old, Jeffrey Sacks is 69 years old, while Cornel West and Francis Fukuyama are both 71 years old. But people are still going to them for advice. Stiglitz was even here to advise us a few years ago. He and Sacks are still professors at Columbia University.

Jerome Powell, the chair of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the central bank of the United States, is 71 years old.

The Prime Minister of India is 73 years old, the president of Brazil is 78 years old, while Xi Jinping of China is 71.

Antonio Guterres is 75 years old, but he is leading the largest organization on earth: The United Nations.

But whether he is talking about wars, climate change or some other humanitarian crisis, Guterres doesn’t sound old at all. The problem is only that the USA is stronger than the United Nations.

However, it is also true that old age comes with senility, loss of memory, fatigue and so on.

Some Namibians used to praise Robert Mugabe when he was still in power although he could barely walk due to old age. So since when did age become a problem?

By the way, Moses was 80 years old (while Aron was 83 years old) when God chose him/them to lead the Hebrews to the Promised Land. Now, why did God have to wait until Moses was much more mature before he entrusted him with such a heavy responsibility? And why did God not choose a ‘kwaito’ (young man) to lead the Israelites to Canaan? Even Joshua was not so young.

So, age is not really a problem. Our main problem is the ruling party. What we have is a collective failure of the ruling party, regardless of age, gender or level of education of those who are in leadership positions. The ruling party is like a midwife that always delivers retarded ugly babies, but its supporters are always promising that the next child will be clever and beautiful.

Therefore, we need to face reality instead of voting/judging people based on misconception. Being young or educated should not be a ticket for one to become a leader.

It is true that education is important. But education must not be used as a weapon to demean those who are not well-educated. It is also true that young people should lead. But they need to prove their credibility and credentials. Otherwise we will end up running from a lion den into the mouth of the crocodile.

We must also remember that being young and well known doesn’t necessarily mean you are popular or you are the best to lead. Even if you are young and educated, the question is: do you have the wisdom to apply your knowledge?

The book of proverbs is clear on the difference between knowledge and wisdom. It says, ‘Knowledge is good, but wisdom is even better. Knowledge can help you pass tests and accomplish tasks, but wisdom will guide you through the most important decisions in life.’ From education you get knowledge, but not necessarily wisdom.

People must run for office because they have ideas to move the country forward. But not because they are young or educated. We must learn to judge a person by the content of his characters. But not necessarily by his age or level of education. An uneducated mature man is better than an educated fool.

A considerate old man is better than an inconsiderate young man and vice versa. And a humble old man is better than an arrogant young man and vice versa.

There is also this misconception that women are good leaders. The Tanzanian President is a woman, but she is very harsh on opposition parties and even journalists. While Margaret Thatcher supported the evil apartheid system. She even called Nelson Mandela a ‘terrorist.’

In conclusion, just because Thomas Sankara was young when he took power doesn’t mean that every Tom and Jerry can do what Sankara did at his age. Some of the worst (African) tyrants were also young when they came to power. An arrogant, immature power-hungry man is doomed to become a monster when given the power. So, young aspiring leaders with narcissistic personality disorders are not fit to lead.