“Leadership with Vision can achieve many things thought to be impossible”

Interview: Nita Deerpalsing

‘Look at what Rwanda accomplished in 20-30 years after a painful genocide which touched every core of human existence’

* “The Labour Party has to go back to its roots of working for the dignity of the population…
… then that would not result with “more of the same”

* ‘If Singapore or Dubai has closed in on drug trafficking with the whole world recognizing them as no-go zones for drugs, why can’t Mauritius do it?’

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With the announcement of the next election date on the horizon, the political landscape in Mauritius is heating up after five years of contentious rule. In this context, the political landscape is marred by a troubling trend: the exploitation of vulnerabilities for electoral gain. The normalization of this practice, where vulnerabilities are cynically leveraged for votes, reflects a deeper malaise in our political culture. The media’s role becomes crucial in calling out these practices and ensuring transparency and accountability. As we delve into the specifics of the opposition alliances and the broader implications for our political future, we seek insights from Nita Deerpalsing on how the main parties, particularly the Labour Party and the MMM, are positioning themselves. We also explore the prospects for meaningful change, the challenges of breaking the cycle of entrenched politics, and the need for fresh perspectives and leadership.

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Mauritius Times: After five long years of controversial and tumultuous rule by the current government, we are almost there: the political landscape is gradually heating up, with the contesting parties refining their strategies and finalizing alliance discussions in anticipation of the announcement of the date of the next elections. How do you assess the current state of affairs as the elections approach?

Nita Deerpalsing: With all the confetti of promises falling from the sky, it is clear that the battle for power is fully on and with undoubtedly more promises yet to be announced, it would seem that these are accompanied by a whiff of despair to ensure that the ‘bait’ is taken and the ‘fish’ can be securely held tight in the net once it grabs on to the bait.

I have used the above image not with intended sarcasm but rather to underscore the sadness of the situation of the population at large.

Let us coldly and objectively look at some facts.

We have in this country more than 60% of households with earnings of less than Rs 36,000 per month. These are the official figures as per one of the answers in Hansard. With a rupee losing its value by the day.

We also have some 70% of school children who are filtered out of the education system year after year. Therefore, a sizeable portion of the future generation is being quashed even before they get to be 18 years old. I leave it to your imagination and thoughts as to what meaningful life chances these youths will tangibly have. And what the consequences will be for the nation.

More than half the population suffer from all kinds of health problems like diabetes, hypertension, obesity and other kinds of non-communicable diseases. At the same time, possibly more than 90% of our population is consuming ever-increasing amounts of ultra-processed foods, with little (and very expensive) access to wholesome food. This presages a future population with even more physical illness and behavioral issues. I don’t know in which economics books or thesis there is a recipe for a nation which can produce sustainable prosperity with an ever-increasingly literally sick population. Perhaps the ever-increasing constructions of hospitals and private clinics is supposed to be a palliative proxy for some GDP numbers.

The household debt levels are very high and are on the rise, not to mention national debt but that’s another story altogether. The number of requests for housing is ever on the rise, which leads you to question whether the evidence on the ground tallies with the survey figures that policy makers use to formulate policies.

I could go on, but I think this is enough to objectively affirm that more than some 60-65% of the population is in a situation of vulnerability of some kind.

This unfortunately provides fertile ground for any cynic to exploit. We can rightly ask ourselves this question: what kind of society are we living in where vulnerabilities are ruthlessly exploited for votes? And when I hear some commentators say that oh well, even the other side would do the same, I think this is even more serious.

Not that I believe that there is one “side” which is only angelic and another “side” which is the devil incarnate. What I am saying is that if even neutral commentators have already interiorized that this is fair “game” in times of elections, we have then come to another level of collectively accepting, even condoning that people’s utmost vulnerabilities can and should be exploited for the sake of obtaining votes. And that it is absolutely “normal” to do such things.

The acceptance of this narrative is what is shocking and extremely sad for those who are not in the top third decile.

Of course, no one can contend that this practice of filling in some gaps of social advancement here and there only at times of elections started only 5 or 10 years ago. So,it is clear that we cannot point fingers only at one side of the political colour spectrum. However, this practice has now taken gigantic proportions, and it seems that anything goes. I think it would be fair to say that it has now moved on from an amateur league to a professional league. And that every contender whether in opposition or current executive should follow suit and blindly adopt the model. This, if anything, is a recipe for sure collapse. And the more we use this recipe, the faster the collapse is approaching us.

*We are unsure whether people are concerned about these issues, as they do not openly express their electoral preferences. This lack of clear majority support on either side of the spectrum is not very reassuring for the various political alliances. What’s your take on that?

This is why the few remaining ‘neutral’ media has an even greater responsibility to bear. The exploitation of people’s vulnerabilities only at times of elections must be called out without fear or favour of any single contender of whichever political colour it is.

Unfortunately, even this space is shrinking as people – even in the media – are scared to rub the princes of the day or of tomorrow, the wrong way. With the result that once again results in a disservice, specially to the people on the lower 60-70% of the socio-economic ladder. Not to mention ruining the quality of democracy itself which normally means plurality of opinion to start with.

* Let’s talk about the Opposition alliance. This may be partly because the Labour Party leader is keen to avoid a repeat of the 2014 deal with Paul Bérenger, which left the LP and the MMM in political which has been a long time in the making, quite possibly because the Labour Party leader could be keen to avoid a repeat of the 2014 deal with Paul Berenger, which left the LP and the MMM in political wilderness for the following decade. Are you hopeful that this new alliance can and will succeed?

The fundamental problem with the opposition parties (with very few exceptions), is that they too are seemingly focused on packaging rather than serious content. Again, while we have heard so far, a string of “measures”, we still don’t see the overall holistic vision in order to address some of the thorny issues I mentioned earlier. To add insult to collective intelligence, we are told that ‘manifests’ cannot be released too early because others will copy some of the ideas!

This is very revealing in itself. This may also be read to mean that they too are interested only in “throwing bait” and what is really meant is that they don’t want any of their appetizing “bait” to be copied.

 

Come on, let’s say you were one of the opposition parties. If you were to come in front of the population and say:

* We will put in place XYZ mechanism (with details) to close all the possible ways in which drugs are entering on the Mauritian soil. Would you care if your opponent copied this? Do you think they will, if they themselves are allegedly feeding off for party finances on drug barons? Or are you also thinking you may need some of this much needed political financing? Which is which? If Singapore or Dubai has closed in on drug trafficking with the whole world recognizing them as no-go zones for drugs, why can’t Mauritius do it? Do you feel there is an overzealous will to root out the drug problem?

* We will immediately stop all these IRS/RES/Smart city schemes which entails the selling out of the restricted amount of land/villas to foreigners which are there only because various Executives have seen in them a supposedly easy way to earn forex. Except that we can still question, exactly what proportion of forex really comes into the country with the sale of smart city villas. Would those who are benefitting from giving permissions for conversion of land copy this?

* We will immediately unpack in front of the population’s eyes the fat built-in to every single electricity bill whereby each household is providing huge subsidies to Independent Power Producers (IPPs). And we will work with all stakeholders to ensure that the population is not unfairly fleeced on the price they are paying for each kilowatt-hour of electricity that they consume. Would you fear that your opponents will copy such an intended policy? Or do you hope that you too will be part of the policy capture network so that you too get some handsome political ‘donations’ when needed?

* We will immediately lift up the ridiculous restriction of 15 Mwh of electricity production by individual households. Why do you want to have such a nonsensical restriction anyway. Should there be even one affluent household who can afford to put solar power production on their villas to produce more than 15 Mwh for their own consumption, why would we want to stop even that one person to do so? In order to ensure that IPPs have some sort of guaranteed level of production to sell to CEB? And would you care that this policy proposition would be copied by your opponents? Or do you want as potential future policy maker to earn your membership in the policy capture club?

* We will take the issue of ultra-processed food consumption with utmost seriousness and formulate short-, medium- and long-term policies which will address the fallouts of food consumption that is producing an increasingly sick population.

* We will rally all positive energies in the country in order to formulate solid policies for nation building. Not only to ensure that no one ever threatens our plural society but more positively to keep building and solidifying our sense of ‘lakorite’ which makes of us such a beautiful plural nation. This includes National Civil Service schemes (government programmes or initiatives aimed at engaging citizens in various forms of public service or community work). as was already introduced as pilot projects in 2012-2013. Now these have to be solidified and replicated. But this of course will not be enough. We need to have a society where each and every citizen sees, perceives, feels and knows deep in their bones that they have exactly the same equal right as every other citizen. That one will require much more than a National Civil Service, but it is well worth starting for anyone that has a real Vision for our country’s future.

If there is seriousness of purpose and if you truly want to achieve anything concrete and meaningful, nothing stops the main opposition parties from using their press conferences to publicly take these kinds of commitments and detail them out to demonstrate their seriousness of purpose. Instead of all those useless press conferences, with 3 people speaking and 25 mute mommies as background, nodding or sleeping, to say nothing very profound if it is not to openly criticize Tony Blair, Keith Starmer. . . As if this is now international diplomacy works

* Both the LP and the MMM must have reached agreements on crucial issues such as electoral reform, the rule of law, the protection of human rights, social inequality and welfare, the fight against corruption, and increased transparency in government, in order to ensure the viability and effectiveness of any prospective alliance. What else would it take to ensure that the alliance delivers on its promises?

As I just mentioned, it would be better for the population to be informed concretely on the Vision for the future and the details of the policy portfolio of such a vision.

This is what brings credibility in the sense of purpose. At this point, when talking to people from across the country, you get the sense that people are jaded and do not attribute much noble intent to any political party or alliance.

This is where the opposition has a responsibility to show a real sense of purpose if it is really serious on a plan for the country to change course from a cyclical every 5 years cynical exploitation of the vulnerabilities of 60-70% of the population.

* It has been argued that the only way for positive change to occur is through regime change, and many hope that this will not result in “more of the same. ” What do you think are the key factors that would determine whether a new regime can truly bring about meaningful change?

This is precisely why political parties which have shaped the History of this country have the burden and responsibility of demonstrating content over packaging.

And this is especially so for the Labour Party which was set up in 1936 with one word being key: Dignity. So, as far as the Labour Party is concerned – to which I have a profound attachment even if I am not politically active — I would think that Dr Ramgoolam is very conscious that there are all kinds of sharks – left, right and centre – in the neighbourhood; whose eyes are beyond this upcoming election to the after-Ramgoolam horizon. Who are hatching plans to perhaps give it a try to eventually cannibalize the Labour Party. There are already some signs of this from the one who has been “waiting for Godot” all his political life. But I think all of them grossly underestimate the Labour Party’s core.

Against this backdrop, Dr Ramgoolam will have a tightrope to walk. However, no matter what, in my opinion, I think he fully knows that he has no moral right to lead the Labour Party — with its 88-year history — down a path that makes it indistinguishable from any of the other blokes on the road. Like the other parties, it is also somewhat tainted by a few ‘arrivistes’ who only seek positions as MPs or Ministers for all the wrong reasons. Nevertheless, only the Labour Party still has enough of its core Soul remaining to go back to politics with purpose.

It is time to go back to the politics of conviction and not politics of opportunism to show off the spoils of power such as duty-free cars, etc., which in any case, by the way, should now be abolished along with many other such perks.

The Labour Party has to go back to its roots of working for the dignity of the population. Then that would not result with “more of the same” as you mention. I do not mention any other party because I certainly do not expect politics of conviction from the other party which publicly sings that song but finds a false sense of emboldenment via an oligarchy parachute.

By the way, the manner in which the Dave Kissoondoyal case was handled speaks volumes. It is to be well noted that none of the protagonists have come forward to deny that they equated comrade Dave Kissoondoyal as an “employee” to whom an “employer” would no way ever make any apologies. In the absence of any such public “mise au point”, we can only draw the conclusions based on Dave Kissoondoyal’s evidence.

* Critics of the current regime argue that the MSM-led government has, over the past decade, fundamentally altered the traditional political playbook followed by most mainstream parties in earlier decades. This new playbook introduces revised strategies for governance and methods for leveraging economic policies to achieve political goals. Do you really think this approach be reversed?

Yes, this is exactly what we have been talking about earlier in this conversation. The imperative is to go back to politics of conviction. Where people want to be in politics for the right reasons and not just to obtain a seat in parliament for all kinds of other reasons. Of course this will not happen by magic. This is where leadership is a key determining factor.

* What are the most pressing socio-economic imbalances currently affecting the nation, and what do you expect from the current contenders for political power, in particular the LP and the MMM, regarding their proposals for addressing these challenges?

I am tempted to repeat what I have mentioned earlier as possible policy announcements which any political party should not fear that their opponents would copy. Because they address some of the fundamental distortions.

I would add on the drug issue, a more overall law and order issue, the indiscipline on our roads is just a mirror image of the situation of law and order in the country. There are many other pressing issues like fixing an education system which is weaning out 70% of the youth of this country. And a healthcare ‘system’ which is only about the construction of ever more and more hospitals.

And let us start targeting all subsidies. Starting from those that the fat cats at the top benefit from. Let us start by putting out in all transparency the quantification of all such subsidies which moves from each and every citizen’s purse to the “too big to fail” club.

We need to do this for the sake of having real free market forces where productivity and entrepreneurship, innovation stems from genuine competition. Because, as the saying goes, cats fed on cream cannot catch mice. And cats which cannot catch mice outside of a protected subsidy-led environment cannot produce sustainable prosperity through their subsidy-dependent profits.

* Assuming that the main Opposition parties were elected to power next time, wouldn’t it be a challenging and uphill task to sanitize the prevalent political culture established over the past decade in view of the fact that the electorate today seems more focused on their well-being, living conditions, and material needs rather than on ideological considerations?

Of course, it will be a tall order and an uphill task. There is no free lunch anywhere. It will take a strong sense of purpose and hard work. But look at what Rwanda accomplished in 20-30 years after a painful genocide which touched every core of human existence. It goes to show once again that Leadership with Vision can achieve many things thought to be impossible. We could also draw inspiration from Mandela’s leadership and belief in a noble purpose. At that time, who could have thought that such a toxic system as apartheid could be dismantled?

* At the end of the day, it appears we are still entrenched with the same teams and ideas, leaving little room for a renewal of both ideas and political figures. What would it take to break this cycle and introduce fresh perspectives and leadership into the political arena?

I do not subscribe to focusing on personalities. It is imperative to focus rather on politics of ideas. Whoever comes with wholesome policies with authenticity and genuine sense of purpose should draw our attention. And the media and neutral observers have a duty to then keep probing for authenticity and hold them accountable for their commitment to wholesome policy making.

* Last Monday’s edition of L’Express features an interview with Sudesh Rughoobur, a former MSM candidate who joined the MMM in 2019. He has been denied a ticket on the LP-MMM-Nouveaux Démocrates platform for the upcoming elections, citing “casteist considerations” as the reason. Mr Rughoobur has been blunt and forthright, but he should know better. This raises questions about the politics of representation and merit in the country, doesn’t it?

I have just mentioned politics of ideas. But truly, in a plural nation, for the sake of nation building and “Lakorite”, this has to be intertwined with the politics of representation. The parliament, public and private institutions and companies should look like what the Mauritian nation looks like. That is, eminently plural.

And I certainly do not subscribe to the narrative of one single jacket notion of “Morisianism”. To me that resembles a page taken from Hitler’s book. You must think like me and subscribe to my definition of “Morisianism” then I will grant you the belonging to my notion of “Morisianism”.

Because within plural nations, there is no such thing as a single overarching identity. And there should not be either. I see many who want to assert the narrative which says: “I am Mauritian before being of XYZ ethnic community”. This is flawed because identities in plural societies are inextricably intertwined. This is precisely the beauty of plural identities. That you cannot tweak out one single identity which has overarching ascendance.

And from a nation-building perspective, no one should try to force the narrative of one single ‘appartenance’ on anyone. In a beautifully knitted or crocheted tapestry with several intertwined threads, we should never demand that one particular thread be pulled out to supposedly demonstrate an academic construct which would pass off as “true” Morisianism. Because the question will always arise: Whose definition of “true” amongst the 1. 3 million citizens do we choose as flag bearer for a certain “Morisianism”? In fact, the several threads themselves are part and parcel of what we would call “Morisianism”.

That said, of course we should have large consultations for a national Constitutional assises, in order to figure out the proper way by which we can root out these 4 anachronic straight jacket boxes from our current Constitution. Which would be a great opportunity to collectively write a new Constitution for Mauritius 2050 and beyond.

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Mauritius Times ePaper Friday 13 September 2024

Tags:000, Alliances Forming, Bait Throwing, Casteist Considerations, Civil Service Schemes, Controversial Rule, Drug Problem, Electricity Bill Subsidies, Exploiting Vulnerabilities for Votes, Fresh Perspectives in Politics, Health Problems, Household Earnings Under Rs 36, Housing Requests Increasing, Interview, IRS/RES/Smart Cities, Leadership with Vision, Mauritius Times, National Constitutional Assises, National Debt Rising, Neutrality In Media Shrinking, Nita Deerpalsing, Opposition Packaging vs Content, Plural Identities, Political Convictions over Opportunism, Political Landscape Heating Up, Politics of Representation, Promises Falling, Regime Change Expectations, Rupee Losing Value, Social Vulnerability, Socio-Economic Inequalities, Ultra-Processed Food Policies, Ultra-Processed Foods, Vulnerability Of Population