"Peter Pan" syndrome

African politics intrigues me for two reasons. Firstly because "I am an African" and secondly because its more paradoxical than a dog having blue blood. Namibian politics in particular seems to suffer from what I like to call the "Peter Pan" syndrome. Here we have leaders of political parties who election after election, regardless of how dismally they lose, refuse to step aside and make way for other candidates. They didnt vote for you last time, what makes you think they'll vote for you next time my son?

In my mind democracy is a western concept imposed on African states and it's just unnatural practicing it; hence the corruption and greed raging across the continent. Still, its a system thats going nowhere soon so the best thing to do is deal with it. Now the last Namibian presidential elections saw SWAPO winning 76% of the votes. COD got 7%, DTA got 5%, NUDO got 4%, UDF got 3% and MAG got 1%. Suffice it to say the leaders that ran in those elections are planning on running again the next time round. Does this make sense? No. Pathetic. Some of these politicians need to grow up because unlike Peter Pan, this is not Neverland. Move aside and let someone else have a crack. Things can surely only improve because they cant get much worse. Katutire Kaura has been the leader of the DTA for as long as I've been able to talk (exaggeration). How many beatings will it take before he admits defeat?

Then there's the issues of the ministers in the government. There's more "Peter Pan" syndrome to be found here and it seems being a Namibian minister is a job for life. Not performing in your current ministry? No worries mate, try your hand at this one. Its a joke. Ministers get reshuffled instead of being made redundant. Case in point. Comrade Mbumba has been a minister of Agriculture Water and Rural Development, Finance, Information and Broadcasting and is currently the minister of Education. I'd laugh but its not funny. Now dont get me wrong, Mr. Mbumba has done nothing wrong, as a matter of fact I would go so far as to say he has done a good job in all these posts to the best of my knowledge. But what does it say for the country as a whole. Is the brains trust so poor that there arent other competent people capable of leadership? Jerry Ekandjo went from being the Deputy minister of Local Government and Housing to minister of Home Affairs to minister of Lands and Ressetlement.

Then there's this new political party, known as the RDP, headed by Hidipo Hamutenya an ex SWAPO member who's served as a minister for; Information and Broadcasting, Trade and Industry (he held this post for nine years) and Foreign Affairs. This is the man vying to lead the country. Has he not done enough politicking already? He is aided in his quest by more extreme veterans in the form of an ex politician suspected of conspiracy and another ex CEO well known for dodgy pracrtices.

These politicians need to grow up and thus cure themselves of the "Peter Pan" syndrome. It surely has to be undemocratic practice to remain a minister for more than ten years. Where are the fresh ideas supposed to come from? How is the country supposed to move forward? There are youth leagues in the country with members in their thirties. Is this the new youth?

Namibian political leaders need to stop acting like modern day Peter Pan's and start encouriging their lost boys to grow up with them through leading by example. TBC

Avram Grant should be applauded

Actually, just give the man an award already. Since he took over there have been many haters and many doubters, mainly because he was replacing the "special one". Well the "wonder one" has steered his team to the top of the table and placed them on the cusp of qualifying for the grandest European club championship. He has kept the unbelievable Stamford Bridge record intact and is vilified for no apparent reason. Sure he lost to Tottenham in the carling cup, but really, who cares about the carling cup. A petty tournament that shouldnt even involve the teams that are in the top four from the previous season (that way other teams can also have some cup success, can anybody say Newcastle?). They got knocked out of the FA cup by barnsley is what people like to say. Barnsley beat Liverpool is my counter. Rafa Benitez is seen as more tactically astute than Avram, yet even he fell on the Barnsley sword.

Sir Alex only managed to beat Mr. Grant through a red card and a dodgy decision at Old Trafford. By the turn of the year nobody even counted on Chelsea being where they are now and if they finish in this position it remains a job very well done. This is the man for Chelsea. He doesnt get into Roman "liquid money" Abramovichs' way and is managing to keep all the clubs ego's in check. A cool head, and what would you expect from a man who started his managerial career at the tender age of 18.