Former Swapo secretary general Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana says Namibians are not wrong to demand change from the country’s ruling party.
The former home affairs minister warns that Swapo’s ‘our time to eat’ culture could soon cost the ruling party state power.
“Change is a permanent phenomenon. If it does not come today, it will come tomorrow,” she told The Namibian yesterday.
She said the country’s liberators have forgotten their original reason for fighting.
Iivula-Ithana’s remarks come three days after Botswana’s ruling party lost power to the Umbrella for Democratic Change, ending its 58-year hold on power.
UDC leader Duma Boko (54) was sworn in as the country’s sixth president on Saturday, replacing the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) and its president, Mokgweetsi Masisi.
“People have lost sight of the original ideas,” the former minister said.
“The Namibian people used to love Swapo. I have experienced that. But now we have party leaders who insult people and call them witches. Is this governance?” she asked.
Last week, Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa urged “witches” to leave party presidential candidate Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah alone.
Iivula-Ithana said Swapo’s record speaks louder than its promises.
“I live in the village and I am exposed to the life normal citizens lead every day. There are just so many scarcities,” she said.
“We found a system (after independence). We improved it, but now it’s not working. What went wrong?”
In recent years, ruling parties in Zambia and South Africa have seen a significant decline in support, with Zambia’s Patriotic Front losing power to Hakainde Hichilema in 2021, and South Africa’s African National Congress losing its parliamentary majority.
This has forced the party to enter into a coalition with its rival, the Democratic Alliance, and 10 other parties.
YOUTH POWER
The Electoral Commision of Namibia earlier this year announced that young people make up over 900 000 of Namibia’s total 1.6 million voters.
Political analyst Rui Tyitende says Swapo will be voted out if young people show up in numbers at the polls on 27 November.
“The youth cannot come to terms with being educated but unemployed. With 34% of them unemployed, they are desperate for change and hoping to unplug Swapo from power,” he says.
Tyitende says political arrogance, and unresponsive and incompetent leadership have led to the electoral misfortunes of governing parties in southern Africa..
“Most of these governing parties, including Swapo, have forgotten the central principle of democracy, which is prioritising the wishes and needs of the people,” he says.
Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah says the possibility exists that Namibia’s upcoming election could mirror trends in South Africa and Botswana.
“Corruption, poor governance, and economic struggles have led to widespread resentment, and Namibia is feeling this too.
The ruling party faces criticism over unmet promises and ongoing corruption scandals, which are pushing voters to alternatives,” he says.
“Namibia’s youth has potential to sway the election. This generation is vocal, mobilised, and eager for change . . ,” he says.
Kamwanyah says the presence of a strong woman candidate is another potential game-changer.
“Nandi-Ndaitwah’s candidacy could appeal to those frustrated with male-dominated leadership, particularly women and young people who want a more inclusive governance,” he says.
Ben Mulongeni, a political analyst, predicts that Swapo might suffer the same fate as other former liberation movements because of the prominent cadres who have left the party or have been fired.
“I am talking about the likes of the youthful Job Amupanda, the dynamic Bernadus Swartbooi, and Panduleni Itula. These were some of the most competent leaders,” he says.
Mulongeni says liberation movements should adopt the culture of protecting loyal members to avoid splits.
“Keep your base of loyal supporters, they will always vote for you. Don’t depend on the undecided voters or the new ones who join the party for tenders, opportunities and self-gain,” he says.
NOT BOTHERED
Swapo Party Youth League spokesperson Moses Shikerete says the current events in the Southern African Development Community region are not a threat to Swapo.
“We are well aware of what we have achieved, and based on that, our people continue to believe in us,” he says.
Sikerete says for the past 34 years, the Swapo-led government has done a lot to correct the injustices of apartheid.
“We can confidently say we are on the right trajectory. During our rule, Namibia has seen the maximisation of access to education, and the supply in basic needs like water, land, and housing,” he says.
Sikerete says Netumbo Nandi Ndaitwah has a track record of accountability.
“We are confident thus far that our people will once again renew our mandate and lead them for the next five years,” he says.
Sikerete says the party has a line-up of programmes that aim to reduce youth unemployment.
Former Swapo Party Youth League secretary Elijah Ngurare on Swapo’s social media pages said some people are dreaming that what happened in Botswana would be replicated in Namibia.
“It’s a dream. In their slumber, they are forgetting a few differences: Namibia has the first female presidential candidate fielded by Swapo. She is a unifier and she is a mother for all,” Ngurare wrote.
He said Swapo and Namibians united around Nandi-Ndaitwah in the past two years, while the opposition in Botswana built a coalition aligned to former president Ian Khama.
“The opposition in Namibia is fragmented like the wind in Alaska. There is nothing they can say which we have not addressed.”
OPPOSITION SAYS ‘WELL DONE’
Affirmative Repositioning spokesperson George Kambala says Swapo will suffer the same fate as the BDP and Masisi, as young people are tired and feel overlooked, frustrated and constantly neglected.
“Namibia is at a crossroads … so, come 27 November, young people will put themselves at the centre. I am very confident that Swapo will suffer the same fate. What Masisi got is just a glimpse of what Swapo will get,” he says.
Popular Democratic Movement president McHenry Venaani told his party members at a rally at Walvis Bay on Saturday that a “tsunami” is headed for Namibia.
He claimed Masisi was transporting party members from one district (region) to another for election rallies.
Landless People’s Movement spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa says Swapo could lose its stronghold significantly or completely as voters are becoming more disgruntled with the lack of development in the country.
“We believe that trend will make its way to our elections,” he says.
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