Overarching Principles of a Political Manifesto

With less than 10 months to go before Namibia’s presidential and National

Assembly elections in November, many political parties are still taking a nap.  

Others have set their sights on a raft of targets or promoting new ideas with prescriptive notions for effecting changes.

Manifestos are the central policy documents of political parties and represent a moral contract with voters.

The lack of a manifesto indicates a non-committal approach to voters and their interests. 

The approach of political parties, their presidential candidates and/or independent candidates will probably remain the issue in Namibian politics that piques the most interest.

During past campaigns, some parties have emphasised cleaning up government.

They promise that they will be different and will promote honesty and integrity in public life.

This includes a ‘clean-up’ within their own ranks, and a vow that those placed in positions of leadership and authority will be honest and disciplined and have clear values.

Overall, however, the stance of key political parties on corruption has been set out in broad, non-specific brush strokes.
Ideally, parties should be specific, clear and concise in their approach.

THE VALUE
OF VALUES

In 2024, there may be more continuity, rather than change and earnest attempts to appropriate the fight against corruption, in manifestos. 

It is important for parties to locate their anti-corruption strategies directly in their manifestos as part of their approach to expanding a better life and opportunities for citizens once they are in power.

Instinctively, this would attract many people to vote for such parties of their choice and increase a party’s election prospects. 

The rooting out grant should not only be regarded as a general principle, but as a panacea to address many of our country’s ills, e.g. abject poverty, high unemployment, land reform and skewed resettlement programmes.

It could also see the re-invigoration of failed state-owned enterprises and key projects that have became ‘white elephants’, including the green schemes, and unfulfilled strategic issues on social care, health, education, crime and housing.

Parties’ political programmes should communicate their values and concerns to the electorate, including the issue of service delivery, as well as advocating ideas and policies and demands the parties wish to see enacted.

These are all essential traits of a manifesto and will hopefully help reduce voter apathy. 

INTEGRITY

It is no secret that corruption undermines security, peace, prosperity, democracy and confidence in public institutions, engendered by undue influence and conflicts of interest to opaque public contracts and dirty money in our economy. 

Left unchecked, it can have devastating effects on the quality of life of citizens.

How political parties draw attention to combating corruption in their manifestos is important and may provide insight on the sort of action they believe is feasible given the magnitude of this scourge and its impact on the population. 

It has to be addressed at the most basic level through public policies and ethical leadership.

Promoting integrity in politics and business, building trust in public institutions, and restoring faith in democracy is time-consuming and requires a serious commitment.

Parties’ manifestos are essentially blueprints for how they plan to govern.

The need to fast-track operationalising the Whistleblowers Protection Act and the Access To Information Act, will undoubtedly give impetus and integrity to manifestos and promote transparency.

REFORMS 

It is laudable that manifestos address increasing employment, improving labour quality and productivity, growing the economy.
However, the issues of shares and beneficiation of natural resources, equitable distribution of the country’s resources and measures aimed at improving governance and administrative structures, i.e. health, education, electricity, water, sanitation, housing, economy, etc, are vital.

Professional policing promotes the rule of law that supports economic growth and improve the lives of citizenry by protecting them from crime.

For this reason, improving law and order within the framework of democratic security sector governance is extremely important.

Overall, the scale and brazenness of corruption scandals in Namibia has shown just how destructive it can be.

It not only diverts and appropriates resources, but undermines the very fabric of our governance system.

It is imperative that political parties make a solemn public promise on honest and effective government.

To quote an African proverb: “A clean conscience makes a soft pillow”. Voters need visionary and ethical leadership. 

• Major general JB Tjivikua served in the Namibian Police for 27 years.