Continuity or Change: Namibia faces historic election decision

Historic Moment Awaits Namibia

Namibians stand on the brink of a historic moment.

Tomorrow’s elections could see the nation elect its first woman president, witness an opposition party taking power for the first time, or usher in Namibia’s youngest president.

This decision rests with the voters, who will choose between continuity with Swapo or political change.

Namibia’s vice president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah could become the country’s first woman president if she wins the presidential election. However, she will need to win over a significant portion of the youth, who grapple with daily challenges – notably unemployment.

Her biggest rival to the State House is the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) leader Panduleni Itula, who could make history if he defeats his former comrade. Affirmative Repositioning (AR) leader Job Amupanda (37) is also looking at making history by being the youngest head of state.

Namibians will be choosing a new president and members of the National Assembly.

Fifteen presidential candidates and 22 political parties are running in the country’s eighth general election since Namibia’s first elections in 1989.

While Swapo has ruled the country for 34 years, the party faces tough competition to garner over 50% of the vote to avoid forming a coalition with opposition parties.

One of the key factors that could shape this year’s election is the youth vote. At least 900 000 out of 1.4 million voters are young people (born after 1982).

AR spokesperson George Kambala yesterday described the elections as a crossroads for Namibia.

“It means choosing a Namibia where every citizen has access to opportunities, dignity and justice. We are not here to maintain the status quo, we are here to dismantle and transform it,” he said.

According to Kambala, a vote for AR means land redistribution, affordable housing, job creation and the dismantling of systemic corruption.

“Our movement is rooted in the struggles of the people, and our presidential candidate has proven himself as a fearless leader who prioritises the needs of the marginalised and oppressed. “At stake is the fight against landlessness, youth unemployment and the persistent inequality that has plagued our nation for decades,” said Kambala.

He noted that this election is about ending corruption and restoring faith in public institutions.

“Namibia’s future depends on leadership that dares to put people before politics, and AR is that leadership,” Kambala said.

Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) president McHenry Venaani told The Namibian on Sunday his party has a track record unmatched in terms of accountability and experience.

“There is no political party in Namibia that has the legislative record, experience and maturity [in terms of] holding the government to account.”

Venaani said the PDM has members of parliament (MPs) who have gone to prison because of youth unemployment, referring to Inna Hengari, who was arrested and detained during a protest against unemployment on Independence Day last year.

“The party is pushing the youth agenda, our representation, our diverse representation in parliament – no young person should walk away from PDM MPs that have done so well in this country,” he said.

Venaani advised young voters to queue up in order to deliver the ballot.

“We have galvanised thousands of young people across the country… So stay in the queue, vote and deposit your vote for change,” he said.

IPC spokesperson Imms Nashinge yesterday said the party has a plan to create jobs by offering tax relief to companies, alongside major economic reforms to allow the corporate sector to expand and employ more people.

“We will reduce corporate tax from the current 32% to 22% as a stimulus to the business environment. Businesses with profits below N$2 million will get a tax exemption,” he said.

According to Nashinge, the IPC will increase the value-added tax threshold from the current N$1 million to N$2 million.

“We will introduce an attractive dividend tax scale that benefits those companies that reinvest in their businesses and hire more people, meaning a company pays tax only when they withdraw profits,” Nashinge said.

Swanu’s secretary general Wendy Christians yesterday told The Namibian the party acknowledges that the youth must be given the opportunity to lead.

“Pertinent at the top of our priority list is job creation, access to financial resources, a youth development bank and management thereof, as well as access to land to advance the agricultural industry,” she said.

Christians believes that Namibian’s grip on traditional ways will deprive the Namibian nation from having a seat at the table.

THE RED BERETS

Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) deputy leader Kalimbo Iipumbu on Monday said the party is centred on redistributing wealth to uplift the vast majority of Namibians. who remain marginalised.

“The party’s commitment to economic justice involves pushing for more equitable access to land, resources and opportunities, which would ensure that wealth and resources benefit Namibians directly, rather than a small elite or foreign interests,” he said.

Iipumbu noted that the elections give voters a chance to change the status quo or keep things the same.

“It presents Namibians with a choice between continuing along a familiar path or embracing a new direction that seeks to unlock the country’s full potential and empower its people.”

The NEFF believes Namibia’s economy is still heavily influenced by foreign corporations and external markets.

“At stake is the country’s ability to reclaim its resources and drive development from within, fostering a self-sustaining economy that benefits all Namibians,” he said.

NEFF further wants to deal with land ownership to better reflect the needs and rights of the people, rather than foreign entities or a select few.

‘WE ARE NOT LYING’

Action Democratic Movement (ADM) president Fillemon Shuumbwa has encouraged people to vote for his party to get free water at their villages and informal settlements.

“We are not lying. Water must be available for everyone,” Shuumbwa said.

He noted that the ADM will introduce free education from kindergarten to university.

“We will also stop the exploitation of workers in the country,” Shuumbwa said.

The Landless People’s Movement (LPM) says voters should consider the party because the livelihood of most Namibians is currently damning.
LPM spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa pointed to the 2021 Namibia Multidimensional Poverty Index, which shows that 43.3% of Namibians live in multidimensional poverty.

“Over one million Namibians are food insecure, and about 40% upwards of Namibians are unemployed. With an increase of informal houses and shacks. In a country that has the second largest rich/poor divide, where its alleged 1 763 individuals share N$410 billion of the wealth,” Simataa said.

He said LPM is the second largest political party in governance and, therefore, is the “only political party with extensive governance experience”.

The party currently has four seats in the National Assembly, six seats in the National Council, two regional chairpersons and 69 councillors.

Simataa further said LPM’s presidential candidate Bernadus Swartbooi has a wealth of experience that surpasses other opposition leaders, as he was a governor, deputy minister and an MP.

“Therefore, [he has] a great grasp of the politics of governance. Additionally, he differs in [terms of] values as he left Swapo due to his principle of not being apologetic [about] pointing out discrepancies in redistribution,” Simataa said.

To some, competing for State House is self-defeating.

The National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo), which has not fielded a presidential candidate, accused the political parties of “narrow-mindedness” and being “self-defeating” by fielding 15 presidential candidates.

“It is time that opposition leaders realise that this division has cost the opposition the presidential seat and will continue to cost us the State House,” Nudo secretary general Josef Kauandenge says.

Kauandenge says the party is vying in the National Assembly elections instead because they have constituents who still need Nudo to address their needs.

The key issues for the party include addressing the economic situation in the country and creating jobs for countless young Namibians.

The Republican Party (RP) of Namibia says it has a distinct leadership rooted in Christian values, which sets it apart from other political parties.

“Another defining characteristic is its inclusivity, representing all Namibian tribes, ensuring diversity within the party. RP is also deeply committed to nationalism, prioritising Namibian interests above all else,” RP spokesperson Turimove Katjipo says.

When it comes to the party’s presidential candidate, Henk Mudge, Katjipo says there is no doubt about his qualifications and experience.

“He and his administration have crafted policies aimed at benefiting all Namibians. The focus of his leadership is on ensuring that the government serves the people effectively,” Katjipo adds.