20 parties, three months to go, zero manifestos

Election manifestos are fundamental documents outlining a political party's intentions and promises. They serve as a road map for the party's vision and programmes.

Although there are 20 political parties currently registered with the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) to contest in the upcoming elections slated for November, not a single one has released an election manifesto - with a little over three months until Namibians head to the polls.

Affirmative Repositioning

Affirmative Repositioning (AR) leader Job Amupanda said although the party does not have a date set for the release of its manifesto, it will be available “on time” for voters to familiarise themselves with it.

The AR activist was responding to Namibian Sun questions last month on X’s Spaces platform, during a discussion hosted by Mwahafar Ndilula.

Amupanda - who made it very clear that AR does not want to hold itself “by the so-called standards that have been set by Swapo on how politics is supposed to be conducted” - promised that his party will be releasing a manifesto soon.

“We have already started pushing our positions on issues so that by the time you get a document, you are already familiar with what we want to do. That is why we are having these sessions explaining our policies,” he said.

He added that voters do not need to wait for November to know that, as part of its legislative agenda, the party wants to reduce the voting age from 18 to 16. He said the party also wants to establish a city at Cape Fria in the Kunene Region. This will be another port to boost the economy and create jobs, he said.

Amupanda added that AR also plans to build a third High Court in Keetmanshoop so that the country has the main one in Windhoek, a northern division in Oshakati and a southern division in the //Karas Region.

“There will be a manifesto on time to make your decisions and choices before you go and vote. We have a legal documentation committee of the AR movement which is dealing with the question of manifesto,” he said.

Popular Democratic Movement

The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) will make public its manifesto after its elective congress, scheduled for 22 August, spokesperson Roberto Dirkse said.

In this election cycle, the party’s focus centres on enhancing accessibility and highlighting a proactive stance on improvement, opportunity and accountability, he noted.

It aims to outline its policies with even greater specificity, ensuring that every voter understands PDM’s commitment to progressive reforms that will directly benefit working families and marginalised communities across the country.

He said the party acknowledges the need for clearer implementation strategies. Their goals have always been evidence-based and well-intentioned, he said. As such, the party recognises the importance of providing detailed road maps for achieving these objectives.

For this election, Dirkse said they are prioritising comprehensive plans that demonstrate not just what they aim to achieve, but provide even greater clarity on how they will accomplish these plans.

Despite evolving demographics and changing voter behaviour, PDM firmly believes that manifestos remain a crucial tool to engage the electorate, the spokesperson noted. “We believe in the efficacy of manifestos and believe that this is the best way for the electorate to judge and determine to whom they should entrust their vote.”

Swapo

Swapo secretary-general Sophia Shaningwa said the party will release its manifesto in September. She was unable to elaborate on what voters could expect, saying she didn’t have the document in front of her. This despite Namibian Sun contacting her for comment weeks ago.

Landless People’s Movement

Landless People's Movement (LPM) spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa said the party’s manifesto is currently in the refinement stage of its final draft. Once complete, it will be released at the party’s next rally. However, he was unable to provide an exact date.

Simataa said the manifesto will consider the impact of Covid-19 across sectors in Namibia.

LPM, as the second largest political party in local authority, believes it is vital to address streamlining and lessons it learnt from its stint in government, he noted.

Independent Patriots for Change

Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) national spokesperson Imms Nashinge said the party’s manifesto is rich, but he does not want to “spoil the fun” before it is officially released.

The party’s approach is grassroots participatory democracy, he said.

IPC has “pushed hard” to find resources and has covered all 14 regions and 121 constituencies, he added. “We have had conversations with government agencies and ministries to understand and listen from the horse’s mouth the challenges they face and how we can assist.”

According to Nashinge, they have seen the depth of poverty in Namibia and although they have offered some temporary solutions, they wish to offer permanent ones once voted into power.

“On one familiarisation trip in the rural areas, we found a mother preparing relish and fish intestines. It’s difficult to comprehend. Leaving them with N$100 for the day, it’s not good enough. It needs permanent solutions,” he said.

Nashinge noted that the plan doesn’t need 400 pages, but instead needs a leader who knows what the people need and expect. A well-informed individual who is selfless and has the heart and willingness to see fellow citizens living better, he added.

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