IS IT POLITICS OR IGNORANCE?

Sir,

Why is it that of all the possible careers in this beautiful nation, the political career is the most disrespected? That of all the qualification-demanding, experience-demanding and expertise-demanding occupations, politically affiliated ones are almost always the back liner? In fact, one dares to ask the question of whether or not these are at all professions or quick schemes to make money. Regions of the world could possibly answer the affirmative to the question of politics being a profession, because of their fundamental understanding of professions having to involve prolonged training and formal qualifications.

Politicians from these regions of the world are highly regarded people, well learned citizens and paragons of virtue who reflect on the prestige of their positions; people respect them and what they do. But how do we expect our people to respect our politics when they do not respect the very people in those positions? The truth is, one of the age-old problems that have not only plagued governance in our beautiful country, but also our promising continent of Africa is in politics. This critical career turned umtapo (give away) has become a quick fix for hungry stomachs. Aspiring politicians prey on hungry people to gain access into parliamentary riches, to in turn satiate their own. Albeit so it may be, that pales in comparison to the virtually non-existent regard for education.

Education

Politics is one of the crucial building blocks to national strength and prosperity. Without strong politics, national legislation in critical aspects will falter and fail. There is as such an imperative need for literacy. However, political literacy is scarce as hen’s teeth. Many times, in our own government elections, we as the people elect individuals for so many reasons but with zero regard for their political literacy. How are these people going to serve when they have zero political literacy, let alone even an inkling of the system in our own monarchical democracy and its political landscape? It seems all that a person needs is popularity. But in what universe does popularity equal intelligence or in this case, political literacy? One can even blame our own systems for not making political literacy key in assuming political positions, when in reality it is indispensable to political prosperity.  These are critical public service positions; you cannot wing it!

Aspirations

The absence of political literacy almost always goes hand in hand with the lack of political aspirations. This is logical. If, in order to soar the sky, you need wings that present the ability to fly, how can a human even have such ardent desire to fly when he has only limbs? Political literacy presents enlightenment, and it is upon enlightenment that one aspires because they have knowledge which gives the means to achieve an ambition. Suffice to say that political literacy does not teach what to do, but it gives tangible knowledge to back up aspirations. As long as such knowledge is devoid among the masses, we are still going to have to make do with politicians who only aspired because they were told they would make a great member of parliament. Political literacy is in tandem with political aspirations, vice versa. We cannot expect change to come from people who did not have any political aspirations at all.

Conclusion

That anyone can run for parliament is what will make or break our government. However, with proper knowledge, people will soon learn to cast their vote for the most competent candidates because knowledge is the key to a civilised society. This is a critical time for our citizens to cast a vote. Witnessing the same cycle of politics plagued with little knowledge is demoralising. However, we are better than we were in yester elections, and this is a promise that we shall be even better in the coming years. So, is it politics or ignorance? Well, it is our politics, and the ignorance is slowly being eroded by knowledge like this.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: