Recently, Job Amupanda, a Namibian parliamentarian, published an article titled 'Parliament in Space and Time: The Tyranny of Description Over Explanation' in several local newspapers. The article explores the concept of 'necropolitics,' a mode of governance and the 'economy of death,' as described by Achille Mbembe in his book 'On the Postcolony.' Mbembe's work sheds light on how the 'postcolony' cultivates its own fetishes, mythologies, and vulgarities of public power, often appropriating European narratives and representations of African experiences.
Amupanda's article has sparked a national conversation about the state of Namibia's parliament and its role in transforming society. However, some critics argue that Amupanda's argument could have been more compelling if he had excavated the metaphysics of space and time. The concept of space and time has been extensively explored by philosophers and scientists, including Galileo, Leibniz, and Einstein. Einstein's work on space and time provides a paradigm for understanding the absolute and relative distinctions, highlighting the importance of context and human agency in shaping our understanding of the world.
The idea of 'necropolitics' and the 'postcolony' is particularly relevant in Namibia, where the legacy of colonialism and apartheid continues to influence the country's politics and institutions. The 'postcolony' concept suggests that Namibia's governance structures and power relations are shaped by a complex interplay of colonial, liberation, and post-independent legacies. These legacies have contributed to the country's morbid paralysis and despair, as evident in its high levels of inequality and poverty.
Swapo, Namibia's ruling party, has faced criticism for its failure to deliver a better life to all Namibians. As a former liberation movement, Swapo's inability to address the country's socio-economic challenges has raised questions about its effectiveness in governance. The party's leadership and policies have been criticized for perpetuating the status quo, rather than driving meaningful change.
To achieve greater liberty, justice, fairness, and equality, Namibians must interrogate the fundamental questions about their politics, institutions, and power relations. This requires a historically, socially, and intellectually grounded analysis of the country's colonial, liberation, and post-independent legacies. By understanding the complex interplay of these factors, Namibians can begin to develop a more nuanced and effective approach to governance and societal transformation.
The work of decoloniality scholars, such as Mbembe and Jacques Derrida, provides a useful framework for analyzing Namibia's postcolonial condition. Derrida's concept of the 'postcolonial monstrum' or the monsters and ghosts that haunt the present is particularly relevant in this context. These 'monsters and ghosts' represent the lingering effects of colonialism and apartheid, which continue to shape Namibia's politics and institutions.
Ultimately, Namibians must think critically about the world and complex processes, such as politics, institutions, and power relations, by studying change brought about by human agency. This requires a grammar of change, not permanence, and a focus on events, processes, and human agency. By adopting this approach, Namibians can begin to develop a more nuanced understanding of their country and its challenges, and work towards creating a more just and equitable society.
Key points
- Namibian parliamentarian Job Amupanda's recent article sparks debate on the country's governance and the role of parliament in achieving societal transformation.
- The legacy of colonialism and apartheid continues to influence Namibia's politics and institutions, perpetuating inequality and poverty.
- To achieve greater liberty, justice, fairness, and equality, Namibians must interrogate the fundamental questions about their politics, institutions, and power relations.
