End the dynasties - Save Mauritius
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Mauritius is one of the rare countries that changes its political directions with a change or regime every now and then, unlike many countries in Asia and Africa.
Changing of governments often could be considered a good thing as it might reduce the risk of political dynasties, dynasties that are quite common in Asia.
However, in Mauritius, the situation is quite different – since they do vote the opposition in power – but in each political party, there is a family dynasty.
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In the recent times, both families have made the headlines. It begs the question: Does Mauritius fear change?
The real reason is that Mauritius politics is more based on ethnicity rather than on religious fervour.
A source involved in the social-media scene in Port Louis told WorldFutureTv: “Yes, Mauritians fear change, especially the Hindu community here.”
In a previous article, I asked, why is Mauritius going back and forth with two political dynasties who are the Ramgoolam and the Jagnauth families?
The source said that Mauritius has dealt with both families since the Independence and they (the citizens of Mauritius) believe that these families are the security bet to keep the political stability.
With their presence in the two Hindu led parties, the MSM and the Labour Party, the two families are seen as a sign of stability for the Hindus.
Having said so, the Hindus don’t want to change for a leader whom they do not know, as they never experienced a new leader on top of the country, except for the brief period when Paul Berenger of the MMM was Prime Minister,” said the source.
The reason why ethnicity is so important in Mauritius politics is that, with Mauritius as a majority Hindu populated country, there is bound to have ethnic tensions whenever the majority community feels threatened. It is a natural phenomenon.
“One reason why the fear of change – and the reason why Paul Berenger did only 2-3 years as Prime Minister from 2002 to 2005 – is due to that fear of instability.”
Afterwards, it resulted in the Navin Ramgoolam’s reign for the next nine years up to 2014 – when he was replaced by Sir Aneerood Jugnauth as Prime Minister.
The source said the source the reason why Berenger failed in 2014 is that fear among the majority of the population for a change.
“They do not want to taste how it will be under another Prime Minister who will come with new ideologies or revolutionary ways of doing things or having a different mindset.
“That won’t be easily accepted as their (the Hindu) comfort as a whole should rely on the hands of the existing dynasties,” WorldFutureTv was told.
But I believe the country is matured to move into the next level of ‘Mauritianisation’ and that will be debated in future articles.
NOTE: Berenger is historically the only non-Hindu to become Prime Minister of Mauritius and Sir Aneerood Jugnauth is widely credited for that.