Last round for PDM leader

"In five years, someone else, someone younger, will lead the party."

This was announced by Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani during a gathering in Katima Mulilo last weekend.

"At the next congress, I will hand over power to the next chairperson," the 46-year-old - who was the first leader of this political party in Namibia and led the party for almost a decade - said.

PDM's top six politicians all retained their positions after a conference last weekend.

Venaani will retain his position as party leader for the next five years, as will his deputy Jennifer van den Heever, secretary-general Manuel Ngaringombe, his deputy Linus Thobias and national chairperson Diederick Vries as well as the party's long-standing treasurer Nico Smit.

It was also decided to expand the party leadership with two additional posts. Sydney Ndumbah was elected vice-treasurer and Mbinge-Tjeundo was elected maiden deputy chairperson.

This paved the way for younger members to join the party leadership. The criticism that there were too few women in the party leadership was also countered with an additional woman.



Manifesto

The PDM also released its new election manifesto over the weekend. Although its content has not yet been disclosed to the media, it is clear from the summary that agriculture will play a major role under the slogan ‘Create jobs, build houses, expand agriculture and ensure a better future’. If the PDM comes to power, it wants to invest at least 10% of the national budget into the agricultural sector.

In each of the 101 constituencies, the party plans to offer incentives to the private sector to set up factories. It aims to set up further irrigation projects in regions such as Zambezi and to reduce the unemployment rate by 11% by 2029.