POPULAR Democratic Movement president Venaani said voters should know that Swapo loyalists are determined to take advantage of the country’s public resources.
Venaani made these remarks on Saturday in Windhoek during the opposition party’s electoral college.
The electoral college is an internal party election conducted to select leaders who would qualify to go to the National Assembly for the next five years.
The more votes the party gets, the higher the number of seats in parliament.
Venaani took a swipe at Swapo’s greed during his address.
“Namibia is for all, not just a few comrades who tell the president what they think he wants to hear, while stuffing their own pockets with deals that
mean nothing for the majority of the people,” he told his audience.
According to him, the PDM wants to end Swapo’s privilege and elitism where one can only benefit if they support a certain faction within the ruling party.
“Our commitment is to the people of Namibia, not to a few Harambee loyalists, who are eyeing looting an already bare national fiscus,” he stressed.
Namibians are set to vote in the presidential and parliamentary elections in November this year.
To Venaani, this is an opportunity to correct mistakes.
“Let us not cry after the 2019 elections that Swapo is still robbing us. Let us not cry that the rich are getting richer, while we have no jobs so we can feed our children. Let us not cry because our votes have been wasted by sending convicted Swapo criminals to parliament. The time is now,” he added.
The opposition leader cited the overall unemployment rate of 37%, and youth unemployment rate of
43% as reasons for voting for change.
“Today, we say: enough is enough. Let us walk that road together to restore the dignity of all Namibians,” Venaani stated.
He warned that things could get worse if Namibians continue to give the ruling party a two-thirds majority win.
“We need to stand together now, or our future will be compromised further and destroyed. We need to stand together and build an alternative in the interest of all Namibians,” the opposition leader said, adding that history lessons cannot fill the empty stomachs of people.
He also advised his party to select selfless leaders for parliament, who he said should bring change.
“Candidates who have the abilities to lead and bring about change. Change, not only for those we like. It is not about selective opportunities for our
children. Change is not about dishing out tenders to our friends and family members. Change is not for ourselves, but for everyone who calls this republic home,” Venaani added.
The PDM president said their leaders should “possess clear vision, should be courageous, have integrity, honesty, humility and clear focus. In addition, they should
also be strategic planners who believe in
teamwork”.
He added that world wide, many parliamentarians are struggling to meet the growing expectations of citizens.
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