President urges candidates not to betray people as former PDM members join Swapo

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called on upcoming regional council and local authority candidates not to betray the trust of the people, as former Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) members and youth leaders officially joined the Swapo Party. Among them are Charmaine Tjirare, Yvette Araes, Julia Nekwaya, and Vakamuina Kamutueza.Speaking on Saturday at the launch of Swapo’s local and regional authority elections campaign at Kuisebmond Stadium in Walvis Bay, Nandi-Ndaitwah said the people’s confidence in their leaders must never be taken for granted.“Now my message to all regional council and local authority candidates is to remember that the people 's trust is not a privilege for power. It 's a real responsibility. It demands real action. It demands honesty, integrity, transparency, accountability and tangible results. That is what the trust of the people requires. You should not betray the trust of the Namibian people. They can react when you do that,” she said.People 's best interestShe added that the Swapo Party is “walking the talk” in delivering tangible results for Namibians. “The National Youth Fund was launched by the Prime Minister, funding 42 youth enterprises. The national financial institutions will continue to assess more applications so that the resources we have allocated—N$257 million—are used in the best interest of our people,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.Responding to critics who questioned the allocation of funds to individuals rather than groups, she explained that the goal is empowerment with ripple effects. “There is no limit in this process. We can support individual enterprises and groups with the understanding that the person empowered will employ and uplift others.”Cutting out middlemenThe president also highlighted reforms in the health sector, particularly the decision to eliminate middlemen in the procurement of medical and clinical supplies. “We are now buying directly from the supplier. Already, we have made savings of N$221 million. This will now be reinvested into the health sector,” she said.She clarified that the government is not against business intermediaries but will not tolerate inflated prices. “You cannot have a Panado, which is supposed to cost N$10, sold for N$60 by a middleman. That is daylight robbery!”Regarding higher education, Nandi-Ndaitwah reaffirmed that, starting from 2026, the government will cover tuition and registration fees for tertiary students. “I want to reaffirm that this will be done. A working committee on the matter has already started, even before I made that statement. They must ensure that when universities reopen next year, there is no confusion. I told them I want things to be done properly.”The president urged voters to give SWAPO an overwhelming mandate to ensure efficient service delivery. “By electing a strong majority of SWAPO party representatives at all levels, you will ensure well-coordinated, efficient, and high-quality service delivery in every constituency and local authority. With that coordination and unity for a common purpose, developmental programmes will be fully implemented without delay. The people of Outapi constituency have paved the way.”Preparing young peopleShe also reminded party leaders that results must match political trust. “Trust must be honoured through the delivery of quality service and accountability to the voters. I have been underlining this: the current leaders are not competing with young people. We are preparing them to carry the torch—the brighter torch of a brighter Namibia.”Nandi-Ndaitwah cautioned against tribalism and racism, describing unity as the cornerstone of Namibia’s development. “Comrades, we are in this together, and together, there is no limit to how far we can take our party and our country,” she said before officially declaring the campaign launched.Before the event, a group of Okapare fishermen arrived with Labour Minister Wise Immanuel. Their chairperson, Godfried Kuhanga, said they were confident their grievances would be resolved. “Our labour minister assured us that—as assigned by the president—he will resolve this along with the fisheries minister. I was assured that they will return to see us,” Kuhanga said.

President urges candidates not to betray people as former PDM members join Swapo

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Namibian Sun 2026-03-26

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President urges candidates not to betray people as former PDM members join Swapo

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Namibian Sun 2026-03-26

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