Tough political road for independents, Kamwanyah warns

With this year's local and regional government elections looming, political commentator Ndumba Kamwanyah says those willing to stand as independent candidates or associations are likely to face an uphill battle. In the 2020 local authority and regional council elections, Swapo lost a considerable number of seats in regional councils. However, Kamwanyah says history might not repeat itself.“If the ruling party truly corrects past mistakes, it could regain lost ground, pushing independents even more further to the margins," he said. Kamwanyah said Rundu Rural constituency councillor Paulus Mbangu was an exception when he won as an independent candidate. Mbangu is likely to retain his seat if he chooses to stand again this year.In the Zambezi region, four independent candidates unseated Swapo in 2020, with most indicating they are willing to run again.Tough competition Kamwanyah told Namibian Sun this week that President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s victory in last year’s general election is one reason why independent candidates and associations may face an uphill battle.“In my considered view, the road ahead looks tough for independent candidates, with only a few exceptions like Mbangu in Rundu-rural.” Kamwanyah said.“One major reason is that President Nandi-Ndaitwah seems to be winning back support for Swapo, which could reduce space for independents," he explained. “Also, the rise of strong parties like the Landless People's Movement (LPM), Affirmative Repositioning (AR) and the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) means voters now have more organised options, making it harder for independent voices to stand out.”Limited means Kamwanyah also attributed a lack of resources as a major challenge for independents to make an impact in the upcoming elections.“Unfortunately, independent candidates often lack resources, party structures and long-term visibility," he said."Voters tend to trust parties that offer clearer promises and accountability," the political expert noted. The upcoming regional and local elections are seen as a critical moment for Swapo to reverse its declining fortunes and for other parties to consolidate their gains.kenya@nmh-hub.com.na

Tough political road for independents, Kamwanyah warns

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-01

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Tough political road for independents, Kamwanyah warns

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-01

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