Our future together: Why a path with Swapo

I am a Namibian, not only born here but also raised as a Namibian.

My birth took place just a few years before Namibia truly began to walk its own path.

I am a 'Boer kind', yes, with wholesome Afrikaner cultural stories and a family that has faced its share of ups and downs. We know good and bad, beauty and pain, with both joyful and sorrowful memories.

I take pride in the good and admirable aspects of our own history but am also keenly aware of the failures.

I grew up alongside Namibia, shaped by the virtues of everything and everyone around me.

In the past few decades, we’ve seen Swapo make significant progress: poverty has dramatically decreased and living standards have improved. Swapo has consistently invested in the future of our children, building more schools, improving healthcare, and extending energy supplies to rural areas.

I see beautiful schools with hostels, clinics, agricultural support, police stations, and more in the middle of nowhere, benefitting Namibians in remote areas. This warms my heart and fills me with pride to see how we care for our people across the country, no matter how far, even if it comes at a cost.

Our roads are among the best in Africa, our ports have expanded, and water security has improved. These aren’t improvements for just some people but for everyone, including us farmers and Afrikaners, whose work, land, businesses, and culture play a significant role in the country’s potential.

As a young Afrikaner-Boer, I feel a part of this country, this land, and its past and future.

Swapo is not just about one group – it’s about everyone who wants to build, grow, and promote prosperity together. I don’t see it as forgetting my heritage but as a way to share it with others, to grow alongside the Namibian people. And I can confidently say that they are all beautiful in their own right. Each has their weaknesses and shameful histories, but also the most remarkable strengths and an unmeasurable potential.

There truly is a profound mystery of meaningful value that can be achieved through collaboration. By building our country and letting go of division, we can genuinely begin to work together with purpose. The future of our children lies in this unity and collective growth. That is why I stand with Swapo.

I see not only my roots but also how they intertwine with those of others. This country has room for all of us, every story, every dream. I often recall the warm welcome I received from Swapo and the beautiful memories I built with my comrades. It strengthens me, especially when I think about the passing of my father.

My fellow comrades not only shared their condolences with my family and me but also raised funds to assist with the logistics of the funeral – a beautiful example of Swapo’s camaraderie and genuine care. This tradition of support and solidarity reflects what Swapo truly stands for: being there for one another in both good and challenging times.

This is, indeed, ubuntu and pan-Africanism.

I started as a Swapo member, elected as section chairperson, and now serve as district treasurer for Swapo with great honour.

I truly believe that Afrikaner farmers are welcome in Swapo and within the Swapo government. I began as deputy director in the government, was soon promoted to director, and eventually became deputy executive director before I recently resigned. It excites me to share that my time in the state and with Swapo has been incredibly welcoming. I can confidently testify that we are embraced there and can make a constructive contribution to the country and our collective future.

For our farming community, there is a promising future in Swapo's new 2024 manifesto, which emphasises agriculture, natural resource value addition, and water security. These plans present an opportunity for our community to contribute to the country’s economic, agricultural, and social growth. The focus on agricultural development, especially better access to water, demonstrates that Swapo takes the future of farming communities seriously. Coupled with land security and safety, I am more convinced than ever that Namibia is the best country in the world for our farmers and Afrikaners.

Why Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah will make a good president

Meme Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Namibia's Vice-President and Swapo's presidential candidate, is someone who holds integrity and fairness in high regard. She brings experience, pragmatism, and dedication and understands the importance of inclusivity. Over decades, she has shown her care for Namibia, and her leadership in projects I value as a farmer – such as water and agricultural infrastructure – makes her a leader who will govern fairly. I believe she is the right leader to unite us and build a just society. She carries with her numerous achievements from her career, spanning from before independence to today.

Meme Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to Namibia's development, making her an outstanding presidential candidate. As Minister of International Relations and Cooperation since 2012, she has strengthened Namibia’s global partnerships and advanced the country’s interests on the international stage. Her tenure as Deputy Prime Minister from 2015 to 2024 highlighted her dedication to national unity and socio-economic progress.

She has become a strong advocate for gender equality and women’s empowerment, emphasising the importance of inclusive development. Her leadership in the NamParks project reflects her commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable resource management, both of which are crucial for Namibia’s future. Her extensive experience, integrity, and vision for a prosperous Namibia position her as the ideal leader to take the nation forward, ensuring further peace and unity.

Why Namibia is the best in Africa

Namibia is truly an exceptional country in Africa. We enjoy political stability, safe cities and towns, and some of the highest levels of press freedom on the continent. Our infrastructure ranks among the best, and Swapo has continued to develop it to benefit everyone, not just the elite. It fills me with pride to know Namibia has achieved these milestones – just imagine what the future holds for us.

The truth is, Namibia has already accomplished so much, but our full potential remains untapped. Namibia undoubtedly retains the potential to be the best country on the continent, and this can be unlocked through collaboration and competence. Swapo’s vision of unity in diversity and sustainable development points to a future where we can continue to grow, work together, and make our country even better.

I am part of Swapo because I believe our people belong here and that Swapo is building a future where everyone – including farmers and Afrikaners – has a place and adds value to our country’s journey toward realising its potential as the best country in Africa and beyond.

We are Namibians, and our future lies here, alongside the vision that Swapo and leaders like the Honourable Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah offer us.

-Cde Francois Brand

[email protected]

*This piece was translated from the original Afrikaans in which it was submitted.

The Afrikaans version will be available on the Namibian Sun's website tomorrow, appearing below the translated English version. The translation was conducted using an online AI translator.

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