Ralph Volcere’s Week

Ralph Volcere’s Week

THE OPPOSITION ACCORDING TO THE SPUP/SPPF PHILOSOPHY!

This topic cannot be debated upon unless we take a good look at the political history of our country, especially at the role played and or contribution brought into our democracy since independence by the said political party(s) which at one stage of its political existence found itself in opposition. The first major political party to have played that role in Seychelles politics is non-other than the SPPF formerly known as the infamous SPUP. Needless to say that as the SPUP they had known little else, but opposition. After the coup they metamorphosed into the SPPF in an attempt at gaining credibility after the so-called revolution which should not have happened in the first place, because the system which they deposed of through the coup allowed for legitimate opposition and multi-party participation in elections. They could have easily contested the Presidential election that was to follow in the ensuing four years. That they could not do because their hunger and greed for power could not wait. Democracy stood in their way, so they dealt with it the only way they knew how – through destruction.

It is also highly important to take a look at how the SPUP/SPPF behaved in opposition. These days they never cease to preach to us the concept of responsible opposition. If the behaviour of the SPUP/SPPF when they were in opposition is anything to go by - then the current opposition is doing a great dis-service to the segment of the electorate which voted for them at last National Assembly election, in 2002. I say this because apart from a few justifiable walk-outs during National Assembly debates, the opposition has conducted itself in a manner that can be best described as “avant-garde”, criticising the government when it failed in its responsibilities and forcing it to deliver on its promises. In fact it is correct to say that if it was not for the manner in which the current opposition behaved the economy of this country would be far more catastrophic than it is already.

After the re-introduction of a pluralistic system of politics, and having lost five consecutive elections since, the opposition parties have not set fire even to an empty cardboard box in anger. Can we say the same for the SPPF when they were in opposition? NO. The SPUP/SPPF could not accept losing elections, they were sore losers. After each election defeat they would try setting fire to the whole country targeting sites popular with tourists. They exploded bombs in places where collateral damage would be to the maximum with the aim of killing the economy without regards to human life; ‘Reef Hotel’ and ‘Radyo Sesel’ are prime examples. The SPPF should maintain a dignified silence about this issue and get on with the business they have been elected to do, that of delivering on the wishes of the country as a whole and refrain from indulging in their own little selfish needs and in the calumny of people contributing positively to the political life of the country.

The SPPF is now in a position where they are not comfortable with the forthcoming National Assembly elections (you just have to read the centrespread of last week’s issue of The People to see this). After buying the last round of elections (Presidential) they are not so sure of being able to do it a second time within twelve months. The talk up and down the islands is that it was the opposition which managed to force out the generosity in the ruling party. If it was not for the strong opposition, put up by the SNP/DP, the SPPF would not have cared. The electorate now knows the stronger the opposition the more they and the country stand to gain from the party in Government and that is reason enough to cast a vote in favour of the parties in opposition at the National Assembly elections due for November next year……

WE ARE TOTALLY LACKING IN THE PASSION THAT IS REQUIRED TO DRIVE THE COUNTRY FORWARD!

The one vital element in my view that is currently lacking and has been for a long time now in our daily living which prevents the country’s drive to greater heights is passion. Probably the only thing that we as a nation are remotely passionate about is our politics. If the population at large were to extend the passion they possess politically to other aspects of their lives, society in general would be better-off for it - that is beyond doubt. If that kind of passion can be harnessed into other areas of our daily living, it will provide a sense of purpose creating the energy with which to forge ahead convincingly and with determination.

Unfortunately - apart from probably a little group most of us wake up each morning lacking the passion which could make a great difference in how our day will turn out by elevating the contribution we make to society and our personal circumstances. We are not passionate enough about our work, family life and in other elements of our existence. I sincerely believe that no one goes to work or through life itself with the aim to be unproductive. People really want to contribute, but the opportunity to make a difference is not there and therefore changes, which are perceived normally to be easier to implement becomes impossible. The people at the top looking down the hierarchy is of the view that the people further down the ladder is to blame for the lack of enthusiasm in the daily life of the country.

However, all the indications are that the attitude of the people at the top leading the country is largely responsible for the lack of passion in Seychelles. They have created over a period of twenty years or more the impression that the state is there to provide for all our needs and the sector of the population which has totally fallen victim to that line of thinking is greater than what can be termed economically healthy for the country. We are living in a world that is changing fast. The politicians running our country are not keeping up with the pace; there are no clear signposts as to which way we’re heading as a Nation. There are no incentives apart from empty promises which are made during election time that allow people to participate passionately in improving on the progress of the country. It is firmly believed that more people should get involved in an open debate on the future of Seychelles, especially business leaders and professionals; “politics is far too important to be left to politicians,” particularly the ones in government.