Nandi-Ndaitwah promises youth and unemployment grant

Swapo presidential candidate Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says once elected into power, her government will introduce targeted social grants for vulnerable people and those living in poverty.

These grants will target mostly unemployed youth and children aged between six and 18.

Nandi-Ndaitwah spoke during the Oshana Swapo star rally at Oshakati on Saturday.

“We are no longer just promising and giving people false hope, we are doing what we say and we are not going to wait until we win the elections in order to kick-start what we promised our people. We have already rolled out some of our projects,” she said.

Nandi-Ndaitwah told rally attendees not to be surprised to see people in their communities receiving social grants.

“It is a planned and programmed key focus area of the Swapo party. We are not going to discriminate, we are going to assist everyone who qualifies for any programme introduced,” she said.

The government will continue to roll out drought relief food to the needy, including fodder for livestock due to the devastating drought effects, she added.

Swapo will begin to conduct door-to-door campaigns in the coming weeks to educate eligible voters on how to cast their votes, she noted.

This year, voters will cast their votes on ballot papers and not electoral voting machines, she said.

“Voters must be educated on the importance of voting and also how to tick the ballot papers. We don’t want to observe any spoiled ballot papers just because our people do not know how to vote. We must educate each other and vote wisely.”

Nandi-Ndaitwah said she is ready to lead the country to the best of her ability, without fear or favour.

“My only bosses are Swapo members and no one else. If I am not delivering, it is you, Swapo members that have the right to question me and fire me. I am going to answer to you because it is you who are going to vote me into power. If I don’t deliver on the promises enlightened in the party’s manifesto, please question me and fire me if you have to,” she said.

Swapo Oshana regional coordinator Werner Iita said he is certain Swapo will win the elections by over 80% as many people have shown overwhelming support for Swapo.

“We don’t want any spoiled ballot papers. Please, go vote well for Swapo and make sure that we win the elections. I am certain that Swapo will win the elections with more than 80%.”