‘Young people have no confidence in voting system’

Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) parliamentarian Inna Hengari says many young people in Namibia do not have confidence in the country’s political and voting system.

Speaking on Desert Radio on Tuesday, Hengari said: “I have covered a number of elections in Africa, including in Kenya, and our young people are not participating in politics.”

Namibia launched a voter registration exercise on Monday, which will run until 1 August.

President Nangolo Mbumba and Independent Patriots for Change leader Panduleni Itula both registered to vote on Monday.

Hengari said Namibian young people often share their views on social media and are labelled ‘keyboard warriors’.

“There are conversations on social media and they are important, but that does not fill up the voting booth. I am talking about the young professionals who have views that matter, and who need to be proactive in the system,” she said.

Hengari said the media plays a vital role in debunking fake news and sharing accurate and trustworthy information with the public in critical times, such as during elections.

She says young people’s voices and votes have the potential to influence the country’s next leadership structure.

“Malawi and Zambia have shown what can happen if young people play their part. I am a proponent of regime change, because I do not believe one party can rule for 20 to 30 years. We are not a one-party state.

“I do believe as young people we have our part to play in getting economic freedom. Those parties that got us freedom have done their part,” she said.

Hengari said there is a need for the media to cover all political players in the country to gain young people’s confidence during elections.

“Over the years there have been a perception, right or wrong, that airtime on the national broadcaster is skewed towards the ruling party, and this calls for the national broadcaster to do better and debunk these ‘untruths’,” she said.