OPEN LETTER TO ALL MBANDERUS: Kainangura Carter Hikuama
As a mbanderu tribesmen and an activist, I feel compelled to suggest to all the conflicting parties in the mbanderu dispute (over the constitution & chieftainship), to bury the hatchet and consider dialogue as a way to resolve the stand off.
The oVambanderu as a group faces some serious problems going forward, and it is difficult to see how these could be overcome without thorough, open minded debate. It is crystal clear to every one, mbanderu or non- mbanderu, that there is a conflict within our once respected tribe, which has a potential to destroy the whole mbanderu community and renders it dysfunctional. If we want to emerge stronger and victorious out of this conflict we must face it without fear or favor and deal with it effectively. It is true that teams or groups becomes dysfunctional when they are unable to productively deal with conflict and we are on the verge of collapsing and becomes dysfunctional as a tribe because of this conflict. We must accept that all meaningful relationships require productive conflict for them to grow, the conflict in our tribe provide exactly that. This is the time and moment to prove our worth and strength. I would like to assume that, ours is a healthy conflict if not, then there was no point to conflict each other for such a long time. We must collectively find out and identify the issue(s) at hand, talk about it or them, look for the best solution, avoid personal attacks and point scoring. This is the task we must fulfill without failure. We must find a best solution to our problems through dialogue and engagement, not necessarily replacing the conflict with an artificial harmony. A writer Patric Lincioni in his book "The Five Dysfunctions Of A Team" observed that harmony on itself is good, if it comes as a result of working through issues constantly and cycling through conflict. But if it comes only as a result of people holding back their opinions and honest concerns, then it is a bad thing. We must not rush and pray for harmony, we must work to achieve it by resolving the conflict.
Courteous, tolerant and honest debate should be launched and opened between the conflicting parties then the entire community. Negotiation should be held under a courteous atmosphere and mutual respect, as courtesy is one of the basic principles of a healthy and productive debate. It is difficult to see how the current intolerance, discourtesy, smear and name calling can be said to be amenable to a free and honest dialogue, which we are direly in need of. The smear, labeling and name calling that we are wailing through only repels a majority of our people, particularly the youth. Real issues under the current situations are stigmatized and trivialized, as a result inhibiting genuine and meaningful dialogue or debate. Conflicting parties and people with differing opinions are also stigmatized, resulting in anger, hatred and tension among our people. Stigmatization of an opposing side is a dangerous tactic in any meaningful engagement. This has bred in a culture of intolerance, which will kill constructive debate much needed for development and progress in our community, and finally destroying our tribe. This has been a protracted and bruise debacle ever in my life time within our tribe, and is high time we put our brains together to find an everlasting workable solution. No one can make us, only ourselves. It is only the mbanderus and only mbanderus who can put an end to this. No government, no minister(s) no court of laws can resolve and come up with a solution to our problems but only us. When entering into negotiations parties must be prepared to make serious concessions and compromises. All mbanderu leaders at different levels and various capacities should understand that leadership means loyalty to the led, service to the people and intelligence and courage in the face of crisis. Courtesy to Palesa Morudu of COPE. I expect exactly that from them.
Despite all that divide us – Namibia and Botswana, concerned and non – concerned, old and young, educated and non – educated, rich and poor, we are at heart one tribe and one people. That we should strive to protect from self annihilation and despair, and truly we can realize our oneness through dialogue and engagement.
D.S. Halacy JR in his book on the philosophy of life observed that" from the balanced structure of the atom, through the specialization of cells in the increasingly complicated animal kingdom, to the intricate intertwining of the great civilizations of man, life is a cooperative enterprise. Non cooperation spells suffering, failure and death. --- we cannot survive not alone remain human without developing a kind, tolerant and protective world society".
This is a direct challenge to us in the current situation. We must put aside our differences for the sake of remaining the mbanderus. We must also not perceive dialogue as a fight of egos and fear it, we must see it as an honest and genuine engagement in search for the best solution to our problems. There is no loser in a genuine dialogue, it is a win - win situation. The mbanderu youth both in Botswana and Namibia must champion the course towards reconciliation and harmony and shun divisive tactics. We cannot win as factions, but as a united tribe. Anger, hatred and enmity are a recipe for disaster.
I strongly feel and believe that the best option towards unity, peace, harmony and stability within our tribe is dialogue – nothing more nothing less. So let us give it a try! For those involved (directly or indirectly) should ask themselves the following questions:
Why are we doing this?
What problem are we solving?
Is this actually useful?
Is it really worth it?
Are we adding any value?
Remember; it is one of the best practical tact, to set aside time to reflect (take introspection)!
Ndjambi noo tate ko majuru ngave tupe o unongo no masa o ku mangurura ouzeu mbu tunao! Senseni na?(What have we done to deserve this?)/ tua ungura tjike?
Carter Kainangura Hikuama is the former Secretary General of the Mbanderu Youth Association Of Botswana (MYAB)-Writes in his personal capacity
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