OPINION: What happens from now on is going to mould not only the future of Namibia but will give the rest of Southern Africa a good lesson. . . This week’s elections in Namibia are less about change but all about survival, writes Vhahangwele Tsotetsi.
This week’s elections in Namibia are less about change but all about survival, says the writer. Picture: SIMON MAINA / AFPOPINION: What happens from now on is going to mould not only the future of Namibia but will give the rest of Southern Africa a good lesson...This week’s elections in Namibia are less about change but all about survival, writes Vhahangwele Tsotetsi.
From the ANC in South Africa to the BDP in Botswana, ruling parties taken down a peg or two by voters tired of corruption, economic stagnation, and broken promises. This seems to be propelled by broad disillusion with the party’s abysmal performance in dealing with chronic problems such as unemployment, inequality, and corruption.
The Fishrot scandal epitomised that very rot which the voters had come to identify with the leadership of SWAPO-a party more interested in enriching its elites than serving the people.The political fallout has seen SWAPO struggle to maintain even a semblance of legitimacy, and its prospects going into 2024 are increasingly grim.
A one time member of SWAPO and independent presidential candidate in 2019, Itula projects himself as the face of Namibia’s political renewal. By contrast, the PDM, Namibia’s oldest opposition party, offers a more traditional center-right way of governance. This might undermine public confidence in the new government and provide a window of opportunity for SWAPO to win back power.
For Namibia, with a smaller population and peculiar political topology, this becomes the hour of truth. The moment SWAPO loses the majority, Namibia enters virgin territory.
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