UPM gains ground in Rehoboth
The United People's Movement (UPM) held a public meeting in Rehoboth last Saturday, which -according to the party's president - was well-attended.
Jan van Wyk is convinced that the UPM will once again dominate Rehoboth - as before 2020 when the party was unseated.
He also welcomed Stefanus Matteus, the deputy leader of National Empowerment Fighting Corruption (NEFC).
The smaller opposition parties want to form a coalition with the Christian Democratic Voice (CDV) and the National Democratic Party (NDP) in order to have a greater competitive advantage in next year's national elections.
Last weekend's meeting was the first since May 2022 when UPM's central committee was elected. Although the party has faced challenges in recent months, it remains standing, Van Wyk said.
He highlighted how difficult it is for opposition parties to get approval for new legislation in the National Assembly.
"Several private members proposed bills, and they were rejected by the Swapo majority. These bills wanted to tackle shortcomings that you as citizens experience on a daily basis, but Swapo decided that our suffering must continue," he told Rehoboth residents.
“The question for you, my countrymen, is whether we will allow this oppression to continue after the 2024 elections. I tell you without any fear that if we as Namibians fail to make a difference at the polls next year, our country will be gone by 2030, down the drain," he said.
Standing together
The only option, Van Wyk said, is to stand together. Discussions started last year with other opposition parties to unite against Swapo, and again in January.
"Only three political parties responded positively, of which the NEFC was the first. It is therefore appropriate that we would invite our brother to this meeting, as a sign that the UPM is serious in its search for a joint force to represent you, our fellow citizens," he said.
"As you know, numbers are important, and we must therefore mobilise ourselves. We have to stand up, stand together and do it for ourselves," the party president said.
He said 367 new members have joined the UPM since April, with another 21 joining on Monday after last weekend's meeting.
The UPM's youth league (UPMYL) also plans to organise a meeting in February to put national structures in place. The UPMYL secretary is Macdunichia Kharuxas, according to Van Wyk.
– [email protected]
Jan van Wyk is convinced that the UPM will once again dominate Rehoboth - as before 2020 when the party was unseated.
He also welcomed Stefanus Matteus, the deputy leader of National Empowerment Fighting Corruption (NEFC).
The smaller opposition parties want to form a coalition with the Christian Democratic Voice (CDV) and the National Democratic Party (NDP) in order to have a greater competitive advantage in next year's national elections.
Last weekend's meeting was the first since May 2022 when UPM's central committee was elected. Although the party has faced challenges in recent months, it remains standing, Van Wyk said.
He highlighted how difficult it is for opposition parties to get approval for new legislation in the National Assembly.
"Several private members proposed bills, and they were rejected by the Swapo majority. These bills wanted to tackle shortcomings that you as citizens experience on a daily basis, but Swapo decided that our suffering must continue," he told Rehoboth residents.
“The question for you, my countrymen, is whether we will allow this oppression to continue after the 2024 elections. I tell you without any fear that if we as Namibians fail to make a difference at the polls next year, our country will be gone by 2030, down the drain," he said.
Standing together
The only option, Van Wyk said, is to stand together. Discussions started last year with other opposition parties to unite against Swapo, and again in January.
"Only three political parties responded positively, of which the NEFC was the first. It is therefore appropriate that we would invite our brother to this meeting, as a sign that the UPM is serious in its search for a joint force to represent you, our fellow citizens," he said.
"As you know, numbers are important, and we must therefore mobilise ourselves. We have to stand up, stand together and do it for ourselves," the party president said.
He said 367 new members have joined the UPM since April, with another 21 joining on Monday after last weekend's meeting.
The UPM's youth league (UPMYL) also plans to organise a meeting in February to put national structures in place. The UPMYL secretary is Macdunichia Kharuxas, according to Van Wyk.
– [email protected]
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article