Swapo's authoritarian populism and the legacy of liberation movements
via The Namibian6 min read
Former liberation movements, including Swapo, often face criticism for not fulfilling their promises once in power, masking a lack of delivery with narratives of patriotic history. This issue is explored through the lens of authoritarian populism, where new elites reproduce aspects of colonial rule under the guise of heroic struggle. The article highlights how the slogan 'a luta continua' has been perverted into 'the looting continues,' citing South African analyst William Gumede's list of failures such as one-partyism, ethnic politics, and a culture of secrecy. The text also discusses how these movements, shaped by armed struggles, often exhibit centralized authoritarianism and repress internal dissent. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa, for instance, addressed human rights violations by the ANC, with Nelson Mandela publicly apologizing, though former president Thabo Mbeki reportedly prevented the full publication of findings. In Namibia, the refusal to engage in a similar commission is noted, alongside concerns raised by former diplomat Paul Shipale about 'liberation credentials' evolving into entitlement. The article points to Swapo's 'heroic liberation narrative' inscribed at Heroes' Acre, yet questions its selectivity, particularly concerning the silencing of critical voices and the 'horror of Lubango.' The death of Solomon Hawala, known as the 'Butcher of Lubango,' in 2025, brought back traumatic memories of heinous crimes. Despite his role in brut
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
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