Catalysts for BDP defeat ‘also rife in Namibia’
Many of the issues that led to the defeat of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) last week are likely to influence the outcome of Namibia’s elections later this month, said local analysts.
This includes high levels of youth unemployment and the government ignoring the wishes of the people.
BDP is a liberation movement that has been in power for 58 years. It suffered a spectacular fall from being the country’s ruling party, to becoming its smallest opposition party – coming last in a four-horse race.
“The decimation of the BDP is an expression of the discontent and disillusionment that permeates throughout the southern regions, with former liberation movements that are divorced from the realities that confront their respective citizens,” observed political scientist Rui Tyitende.
“Political arrogance and an unresponsive and incompetent leadership has led to the electoral misfortunes of all governing parties in [the region], including the African National Congress in South Africa that has been forced into an unpalatable but necessary marriage with the [opposition].
“Most of these governing parties, including Swapo, have forgotten the central principle of democracy, which is prioritising the wishes and needs of the people,” he said.
Tyitende highlighted that the youth, who comprise 64% of current registered voters, will have a major say in whether Swapo retains power later this month or not.
“The youth are consumed with a deep sense of nihilism, as they cannot come to terms with the fact of being educated but unemployed. With 34% of them unemployed and facing a bleak future, they are desperate for change and hoping to unplug Swapo from power through the ballot.
“The question is, by what margins will Swapo lose support in numbers? And will the military tolerate a peaceful transition?”
Reacting to the Botswana result on its X platform, Swapo stated that it is wishful thinking to suggest the same drama will unfold in Namibia.
“The election in Botswana went the way it went. Some are dreaming that what happened in Botswana could happen in Namibia. But it is a dream,” Swapo parliamentary candidate Dr Elijah Ngurare noted in the post.
“In their slumber, they are forgetting a few differences. Namibia has the first female presidential candidate fielded by Swapo. She is a unifier and she is a mother for all. Over the last two years, the Swapo Party, and indeed the nation, has united around her,” noted the post.
Experts argue that former Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi’s crushing defeat is attributed to his cosying up to Zimbabwe’s Zanu-PF, widespread nepotism, corruption and increasing arrogance, as he allegedly persecuted anyone that fell out of favour with him.
“Evidence is overwhelming, we've lost this election massively. We have to come to terms with it,” Masisi said during his concession speech.
Arrogance and Zanu-PF
Former member of parliament Biggie Butale argues that the Batswana were horrified by the booming friendship between Masisi and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
At the end of the day, he noted, it was a medley of factors that led to Masisi and the BDP’s disposal, with the biggest being the current recession in the country.
Some believe this was aggravated by the ‘tit-for-tat’ war between Masisi and De Beers over the signing of a mining lease.
“The President used immodest language at rallies; Batswana are very conservative people, they value humility. During negotiations with De Beers, he spoke at political rallies about how he had hoodwinked them or how he was hard on De Beers. In Botswana, if you do that, you come across as someone who cannot be trusted with secrets,” he told Namibian Sun.
Butale also argued that perceived corruption in high places played a crucial role in Masisi’s downfall.
“This involved particularly the President and his older sister, who became a successful, wealthy ‘businesswoman’ ever since he ascended to the presidency,” he said.
Namibia’s opposition reacts
Leader of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) McHenry Venaani attributed Masisi’s defeat to skyrocketing unemployment. He cautioned that the same fate is knocking on Namibia’s door, and said power will be shared or taken from Swapo this month.
Venaani noted that he has been in talks with new Botswana President Duma Boko about how to consolidate democracy in southern Africa.
He said Masisi’s arrogance, pomposity and corruption led to his downfall.
“Masisi’s daughters have acquired contracts worth millions. The same here in Namibia; having someone’s child living in a backyard flat with a tender of N$200 million, running a company from her bed and laptop. These are things that frustrate progress, and people see this.
“In fact, the Botswana government has a better governance record than Namibia, so we are knocking on the door of Swapo, that power shall be shared or taken.” – [email protected]
This includes high levels of youth unemployment and the government ignoring the wishes of the people.
BDP is a liberation movement that has been in power for 58 years. It suffered a spectacular fall from being the country’s ruling party, to becoming its smallest opposition party – coming last in a four-horse race.
“The decimation of the BDP is an expression of the discontent and disillusionment that permeates throughout the southern regions, with former liberation movements that are divorced from the realities that confront their respective citizens,” observed political scientist Rui Tyitende.
“Political arrogance and an unresponsive and incompetent leadership has led to the electoral misfortunes of all governing parties in [the region], including the African National Congress in South Africa that has been forced into an unpalatable but necessary marriage with the [opposition].
“Most of these governing parties, including Swapo, have forgotten the central principle of democracy, which is prioritising the wishes and needs of the people,” he said.
Tyitende highlighted that the youth, who comprise 64% of current registered voters, will have a major say in whether Swapo retains power later this month or not.
“The youth are consumed with a deep sense of nihilism, as they cannot come to terms with the fact of being educated but unemployed. With 34% of them unemployed and facing a bleak future, they are desperate for change and hoping to unplug Swapo from power through the ballot.
“The question is, by what margins will Swapo lose support in numbers? And will the military tolerate a peaceful transition?”
Reacting to the Botswana result on its X platform, Swapo stated that it is wishful thinking to suggest the same drama will unfold in Namibia.
“The election in Botswana went the way it went. Some are dreaming that what happened in Botswana could happen in Namibia. But it is a dream,” Swapo parliamentary candidate Dr Elijah Ngurare noted in the post.
“In their slumber, they are forgetting a few differences. Namibia has the first female presidential candidate fielded by Swapo. She is a unifier and she is a mother for all. Over the last two years, the Swapo Party, and indeed the nation, has united around her,” noted the post.
Experts argue that former Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi’s crushing defeat is attributed to his cosying up to Zimbabwe’s Zanu-PF, widespread nepotism, corruption and increasing arrogance, as he allegedly persecuted anyone that fell out of favour with him.
“Evidence is overwhelming, we've lost this election massively. We have to come to terms with it,” Masisi said during his concession speech.
Arrogance and Zanu-PF
Former member of parliament Biggie Butale argues that the Batswana were horrified by the booming friendship between Masisi and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
At the end of the day, he noted, it was a medley of factors that led to Masisi and the BDP’s disposal, with the biggest being the current recession in the country.
Some believe this was aggravated by the ‘tit-for-tat’ war between Masisi and De Beers over the signing of a mining lease.
“The President used immodest language at rallies; Batswana are very conservative people, they value humility. During negotiations with De Beers, he spoke at political rallies about how he had hoodwinked them or how he was hard on De Beers. In Botswana, if you do that, you come across as someone who cannot be trusted with secrets,” he told Namibian Sun.
Butale also argued that perceived corruption in high places played a crucial role in Masisi’s downfall.
“This involved particularly the President and his older sister, who became a successful, wealthy ‘businesswoman’ ever since he ascended to the presidency,” he said.
Namibia’s opposition reacts
Leader of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) McHenry Venaani attributed Masisi’s defeat to skyrocketing unemployment. He cautioned that the same fate is knocking on Namibia’s door, and said power will be shared or taken from Swapo this month.
Venaani noted that he has been in talks with new Botswana President Duma Boko about how to consolidate democracy in southern Africa.
He said Masisi’s arrogance, pomposity and corruption led to his downfall.
“Masisi’s daughters have acquired contracts worth millions. The same here in Namibia; having someone’s child living in a backyard flat with a tender of N$200 million, running a company from her bed and laptop. These are things that frustrate progress, and people see this.
“In fact, the Botswana government has a better governance record than Namibia, so we are knocking on the door of Swapo, that power shall be shared or taken.” – [email protected]
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