EDITORIAL: Winning votes through service delivery
It was encouraging to see Swapo secretary-general Sophia Shaningwa inform party members on Saturday that service delivery is the only way the party can make up the ground it lost in the most recent general election.
There are two principal ways for a political movement on a downward spiral to lift itself up again: It may seek votes through patronage, which is unethical, or through public service delivery.
Patronal politics, which is the use of state resources to reward individuals for their electoral support, is currently on full display in our country – and it has not worked in favour of the ruling party lately.
So then, why not try service delivery as the exclusive route to regaining the lost ground?
The Third Republic's administration, which is in the evening of its time in office, must pour its tank into what may still be salvaged in the time that is left - even if elections are scheduled for next year.
Youth voters, who make up around 60% of the electorate, can no longer be persuaded by podium speeches, campaign fliers and loudspeaker liberation anthems. Service delivery is the only way to draw people in, as Shaningwa boldly admits. If the Cuito Cuanavale wars' blood doesn't produce measurable outcomes for which such valuable sacrifices were made, then recounting those events is meaningless to the present generation.
There are two principal ways for a political movement on a downward spiral to lift itself up again: It may seek votes through patronage, which is unethical, or through public service delivery.
Patronal politics, which is the use of state resources to reward individuals for their electoral support, is currently on full display in our country – and it has not worked in favour of the ruling party lately.
So then, why not try service delivery as the exclusive route to regaining the lost ground?
The Third Republic's administration, which is in the evening of its time in office, must pour its tank into what may still be salvaged in the time that is left - even if elections are scheduled for next year.
Youth voters, who make up around 60% of the electorate, can no longer be persuaded by podium speeches, campaign fliers and loudspeaker liberation anthems. Service delivery is the only way to draw people in, as Shaningwa boldly admits. If the Cuito Cuanavale wars' blood doesn't produce measurable outcomes for which such valuable sacrifices were made, then recounting those events is meaningless to the present generation.
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