The general elections are fast approaching, and before the mandate of the ruling regime ends, it is essential to take stock of not only the Mauritian political system but also of the current regime. A new Mauritius is possible, and it is by organizing ourselves and creating a unitary fund that we will be able to bring about a qualitative change. On Monday, April 1, 2024, the program Ki Nouvo Moris had as a guest Nita Deerpalsing, a former member of parliament and professional at the international level.

56 years after independence, what is your assessment of the situation in Mauritius?

It is true that since 1968, the country has made several advances in terms of education and health. However, 56 years after independence, the country is not where it was expected to be. Indeed, Mauritius has not had its total independence because, remember, the Chagos are still under British control. Although there has been economic progress under the various economic pillars, the gap between rich and poor continues to widen, which leads to social injustice, says Nita Deerpalsing.

« Social justice no longer exists in Mauritius because it is only a handful of people who increase goods while the masses, the working class, become increasingly impoverished. For a country to move forward and make progress, there are two things that are extremely important. We need a population that has access to a good egalitarian education and that is healthy. »

How can we promote Mauritianism and democracy in Mauritius?

When it comes to democracy and inclusiveness, there’s a lot to do, says Deerpalsing. We must stop thinking about the need for a quota of 30% of women in parliament. It is inconceivable that in 2024, in the run-up to the elections, such a quota exists when more than half of the Mauritian population (51%) are women. Nowadays, in most countries, gender parity in political spheres is gaining ground, and Mauritius must follow its example, says Nita Deerpalsing.

« What needs to be done now is to amend the constitution so that there is at least one woman per constituency as a candidate for each political party. In addition, it will also be necessary to make it mandatory that each party running in the elections have 35% women on their list of participants. »

When it comes to Mauritianism, it’s important to define the concept because there’s too much misunderstanding around it, says Nita Deerpalsing.  To be Mauritian is to be multiple and indivisible, and it is not possible that the Mauritian constitution obliges someone to declare his or her ethnicity to take part in the general election.

« It is unimaginable that the Mauritian constitution excludes people who were born on this land, and this person who does not want to be classified in the four communal boxes has the right to want to be a candidate in the elections, and to refuse his candidacy is to exclude him.”

It is unfortunate that a political group or a government uses the population as a means of holding votes. Many people use election money or promises to get votes, and this is made possible because the population is vulnerable, says Nita Deerpalsing. It is important to have politicians who make public policy that increases the quality of life of people by strengthening and improving the health and education system, promoting agriculture to be self-sufficient, and this without taking more with them once in power. A government that wants to exploit and keep people at their feet is a cynical government, our guest protests.

To conclude, Nita Deerpalsing points out that the Mauritian nation is not truly independent because politics is not done in the public interest. The political situation in Mauritius is that the parties that come to power are trying at all costs to keep the people under their feet so that at the time of the elections, they come with electoral promises supposedly to meet the needs of society; this should not be the case. Nita Deerpalsing claims that this is not real politics, and that the population deserves to receive good education, adequate care, and other facilities, without it costing them more in the future.