DTA change is good

JEMIMA BEUKES Political experts have welcomed the DTA’s new brand identity that will be unveiled at the party’s extraordinary congress at the Ramatex Complex in Windhoek tomorrow.The party will also hold its 40th anniversary award ceremony tonight to honour some of its members who have made remarkable contributions to the party.The Democratic Turnhalle Alliance was formed in November 1977 as a result of the Turnhalle Constitutional Conference held in Windhoek from 1975 to 1977 as a counterbalance and main opposition to the South West Africa People's Organisation (Swapo).It is widely believed that the DTA's past affiliation with the apartheid government before Namibian independence continues to affect its current public image.Political commentator Graham Hopwood says the DTA will have to do more than a superficial rebranding though.“They will have to make a complete break from their historical past. They are held back by their association with the pre-independence apartheid era,” he said.Political analyst Uazuva Kaumbi believes the DTA deserves a pat on the back for its bold decision to distance itself from its past.“It is not an easy decision to rebrand a political party; it must be very difficult for the party to take such a step. It must be commended, but we must keep in mind that they will lose a lot of people that love the old DTA but they will certainly gain some such as the youth that will embrace the transformation,” he says.Kaumbi cautions that the party should not have too high hopes for the near future and that the transformation may only pay off in ten years’ time.Another political commentator, Dr Andrew Niikondo, believes the party will make an impact in the next election, provided it makes a clean break with its past.“One would expect them to change completely: the name, the two stripes, the flag and the symbol. It should indeed be youth friendly. Such a change is very important and it is commendable that they have realised that,” says Niikondo.

DTA change is good

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-21

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DTA change is good

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-21

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