There was a time when dreams of a Mauritius free from British colonialism fuelled the passions of its people and divided the nation. While 12 March 1968 is often celebrated as the day we became free, it is often forgotten that the previous year, in 1967, nearly 44% of the population voted against independence in a referendum election. Yet, we got over that. 

In spite of the years of uncertainty that followed, the Mauritian miracle was very much underway. Every tragedy, hunger strike, protest and tense election made us better and allowed us to look forward to a seemingly bright future. Then, as the renewal of the political field failed to happen, hope started to slowly fade away. 

Unfortunately, every five years there was a hike in confidence in one or two of the major political parties as Mauritian voters gleefully shared their gift of amnesia. However, after the highs of the honeymoon period would come the inexorable lows of empty promises and disappointment. December 2014 was supposed to be different.

“We are all adults here and we voted them in.”

The Alliance Lepep revelled in the disgust of the population with the Labour Party/MMM coalition. The protest vote was unprecedented and the result undeniable. To be fair, we desperately needed the change, if only to realise that our political class is plagued with power-hungry fearmongers. Unsurprisingly, like every other time, December 2014 was no different. We never learn.

As we are closing down on 48 years of independence, we now run the risk of losing everything that the revolutionary Mauritians of yesteryears have fought for. Our honourable ministers are tearing us apart with their delusions of grandeur and their blissful ignorance. We are being force-fed unnecessary developments that are being billed as indispensable. Developments that are being carried out with money that we don’t have and partners that we don’t want. 

On the other hand, we are being sold the idea that our brothers from Saudi Arabia, who mercilessly punish everyone who does not think like them, will invest in secular Mauritius out of the goodness of their heart and only expect the priceless friendship of our honourable minister of Islamic affairs in return.  

In all honesty, our police force is not far from being ready for our Saudi brothers. They are already at the beck and call of those who are in power, with no apparent interest in tackling the real issues in society. Surely tracking down people questioning the integrity of politicians on Facebook cannot be a top priority. 

Thankfully, we have already given up our hopes of a thriving democracy with unequivocal freedom of expression. This is not our country; this is not a country for the people. However, we are not being ruled by monsters. Monsters are for children. We are all adults here and we voted them in.  On this note, let’s all wish each other a Happy Independence Day while we get on our knees and sell ourselves to the highest bidder.