‘Venaani’s dream ambitious’

… PDM aims to cut Swapo votes to 40%

Political analysts say Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) president McHenry Venaani’s dream to cut Swapo’s votes to 40% in the forthcoming elections is ambitious.

Venaani revealed this ambition at the party’s recent PDM Youth League, Women’s League and Elders’ Council congress.

“In light of these elections, the goal is clear: We must bring the ruling Swapo party’s share of the electoral vote to under 40%. This is an ambitious target and it demands that the PDM is firing on all cylinders,” Venaani said.

Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah says this goal is ambitious.

“While it’s possible to see Swapo losing some ground given the growing dissatisfaction among voters, Venaani’s ability to significantly cut into Swapo’s voter base is questionable,” he says.

Venaani, however, believes his party is capable of reaching this target.

“We are the political formation that took away their two-third majority. The importance of these congresses cannot be overstated – they will be pivotal in determining our strategies and enhancing our electoral share,” he said.

Kamwanyah says it should be noted that opposition parties like the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) and the Landless People’s Movement (LPM) are drawing voters’ support.

“Venaani is indeed under pressure to maintain the PDM’s position as the official opposition and this pressure may limit his effectiveness in reducing Swapo’s vote share substantially,” he says.

Kamwanyah says Venaani has made efforts to broaden the party’s appeal beyond its traditional base.

“The PDM remains somewhat regionally concentrated, with its strongest support in certain areas, particularly among communities with historical ties to the party’s predecessor, the Democratic Turnhalle Alliance,” he says.

He says the party is likely to face significant competition in the upcoming elections, not just from Swapo, but from other opposition parties.

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‘FIERCE COMPETITION’

Political analyst Rui Tyitende says the PDM alone will not be able to bring Swapo below the 50% threshold.

“They face fierce competition from the IPC. They will definitely lose that status come 27 November if the 2019 national elections are anything to go by. Remember, Itula garnered 29,4% of the presidential vote compared to Venaani’s 5,3%,” he says.

Tyitende says in the previous National Assembly elections, the PDM garnered 16,6% of the vote, half of what Itula gained.

“Had the IPC been registered as a political party by then, the same pattern of votes would have followed, and the IPC would have been the official opposition and not the PDM.

“In fact, the PDM will lose its status as the official opposition as a consequence of the politics of identity and mob psychology that characterises Namibian politics,” he says.

Venaani at the congress said the party’s strength and unity is vital for a comprehensive and inclusive approach to governance.

“We are aware of the recent Afrobarometer survey giving Swapo’s Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah a commanding lead of 50,8% in the upcoming elections. We challenge this inaccurate and out-of-touch narrative. It does not accurately reflect what the masses feel,” he said.

Venaani made reference to a South African survey that misjudged Julius Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters, which was predicted to overtake the Democratic Alliance but did not.

“This poll simply sought to drive home a narrative that opposition parties in Namibia seek to only take up the official opposition status. As for the PDM, we have been the official opposition for the past decade,” he said.

“Our ambition is not just to hold that position, but we seek to either govern or be a part of a coalition government to serve the well-being of our citizens and provide the government what they deserve.”

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TWO-THIRD MAJORITY

Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa last week said all the party wants is a two-third majority in the upcoming elections.

She was speaking at a Swapo gathering at Helao Nafidi in the Ohangwena region.

Shaningwa said a two-third majority would allow Swapo to pass laws without objection.

“All of us are instructed and directed, for that matter, to become the commissars, secretary generals and mobilisers of Swapo … this is the time for Swapo to make sure we attain our two-third majority.”