Africa-Press – Namibia.
The Affirmative Repositioning (AR) Movement says it will not nominate career politicians in the upcoming 2025 Regional and Local Authority Elections.
They instead plan to nominate grassroots leaders such as unemployed youth, teachers, community organisers, unionists and activists.
Addressing a media conference yesterday, AR spokesperson George Kambala said the movement is ready to participate fully in the elections but will do so on its terms.
“We are not fielding career politicians. We will field community organisers, unionists, teachers, unemployed youth and activists who have served their neighbourhoods long before cameras arrived,” Kambala said. He stressed that the AR campaign will not be funded by “tenderpreneurs or looters”.
He added that it will be driven by integrity and a radical programme for People’s Power.
“We are not contesting elections to decorate the councils. We are contesting to take over and transform them into vehicles of direct democracy and grassroots development,” Kambala said. He encouraged Namibians to register to vote, particularly first-time voters who recently turned 18 and those who have changed constituencies.
“Do not outsource your future. Own it,” he said.
ACC praises
The movement commented on recent high-profile arrests by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), warning that the fight against corruption must be genuine and not politically motivated.
“It may seem as though the director general of the ACC has finally found the keys to Noah’s Ark,” said Kambala.
“We welcome this renewed energy, but we must remain vigilant. In Namibia, arrests often surface during elite factional battles – not for justice, but to gain access to State resources,” he added.
He said AR supports President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s recent statement that “corruption is treason”.
He said those involved in corrupt activities should be treated as enemies of the State.
“There must be no sacred cows. No minister, no businessperson, no political operative should be above the law,” Kambala said.
AR is calling on the ACC to act without fear or favour and investigate all criminal networks, including those in local government, State-owned enterprises and tender boards.
“Corruption is not just about stolen money. It is about stolen futures, broken public trust and the collapse of national dignity,” he added.
100 days of Netumbo
The AR also used the platform to take stock of President Nandi-Ndaitwah’s first 100 days in office.
They said that while her rise as Namibia’s first female President inspired hope, the reality has been disappointing.
“Hope is not enough. We must measure leadership by action, not optics,” said Kambala.
He criticised the President’s first 100 days as being filled with “symbolic events with no substance”.
He accused her of reshuffling instead of removing corrupt officials. AR also highlighted the lack of decisive action on youth unemployment, housing and continued looting at both local and national levels.
“The people want jobs, land, housing, clean water and dignity, not ribbon-cuttings and hashtags,” Kambala stated.
However, the movement has not entirely ruled out cooperation with the President.
“We are hopeful she will break free from the old system and put the country before the party. We will support her where her actions align with the interests of the people, but we will oppose her where she protects the system of exploitation and elite privilege,” he warned.
“If the Presidency becomes another tool for elite protection and corporate greed, AR will lead the opposition inside Parliament and on the streets. Our allegiance is not to politicians. It is to the people,” Kambala said.
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