Africa-Press – Namibia. SWAPO IS FAST approaching a watershed moment. A critical analysis is urgently needed if the party wants to regain its popularity. It still has a chance but only if it re-unites, reforms and pushes for inclusivity to become a policy issue.
To achieve this, it needs to ditch personality cults and cliques in favour of a desperately needed pragmatic approach – an all – embracing approach that will meet the electorate’s needs and approval.
The Namibian political environment has changed drastically from what it was at the dawn of independence, when Swapo was a newcomer to the political stage as a ruling party.
To advance to the next configuration and effective governance, it needs to break from the backdrop of ill–equipped politicians, especially in parliament. Swapo needs an injection of more charismatic cadres, and to return to its roots and align itself with the common interests of the public.
During the struggle and in the early post-independence period, the party served as a broad political platform, winning hearts and minds countrywide through its mantra ‘One Namibia, one nation’. However, during the last elections Namibia witnessed a seismic change in the political landscape. Voters in urban areas deserted Swapo in large numbers, opting for newly formed political parties headed by former Swapo members disgruntled with the party.
To avoid committing hara – kiri, Swapo needs both team Swapo and team Harambee to dissolve and reunite. Forgiveness is needed on both sides in the interest of the party and to find commonality with the electorate, which is the powerhouse of democracy. They are not interested in a party within a party.
‘FRESH AIR’
Swapo is well known as one of Africa’s oldest surviving liberation movements; a movement that ended a repugnant, oppressive system, leading to our independence. However, the electoral demographics has changed. The youth – now the largest voting group – is increasingly affected by high unemployment, poverty, and uncertainty. They are unable to relate to divisive politics and entitlement among older cadres.
The party’s 2017 congress marked a turning point in an already diminishing party. Disgruntlement among the old guard saw a particularly bitter power struggle. Tribalism within the party structure was also a contributing factor. the promotion of mediocrity, nepotism, tribalism and reports of corruption (some being crimes committed by individuals but used to tarnish the reputation of Swapo as a whole), has all but placed Swapo on death row.
Indeed, Swapo has big brains with charismatic prudence, highly talented, and imbued with natural intelligence; graduates trained through the party structures with broad knowledge and experience in political discourse, but on the shelves, wasting away.
The Swapo Congress of 2022 needs to take note of the crisis and respond accordingly. What the party needs are effective and progressive strategies that will serve to reconnect it with the people, not opportunists.
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