Geingob reacts to Swapo’s loss of votes
The Head of State has reacted to his party’s failure to win five regions and about 30 of the 57 local authorities nationwide.
JEMIMA BEUKES
WINDHOEK
President Hage Geingob has expressed displeasure at Swapo’s dismal performance in last week’s election, where it lost control of key cities including the capital Windhoek and economic heavyweight regions such as Erongo.
Yet, Geingob hastened to point out that his party respects the democratic outcome – which confirmed further ascendance of the party that lost its two-thirds majority in the 2019 parliamentary election.
In 2015, Swapo controlled all 14 regions, but this time, it only won nine.
The opposition won more constituencies than Swapo in Erongo, Kunene, Hardap and //Karas, while in Zambezi, it could only muster half of what was at stake.
The party went on to lose control of about 30 of the 57 local authorities to the opposition.
But despite the heartache and tough lessons learnt after losing ground in an election it previously dominated at will, Geingob said his party accepts its fate as decided by Namibian voters.
‘I will support you’
The president also dispelled rumours that Swapo, which holds the strings to the national purse through central government, will starve the opposition in charge of local authorities.
“We are not happy, but we are democrats and we are saying congratulations to those who were elected,” he said.
Geingob added that politicians need to hold hands to best serve the nation.
“People have spoken now. I wish my brothers well who are now going to answer [to] the promises [made]. Let us give others a chance to see how to do it. I will work with you and support you,” he said.
March forward
“Failure is not an option. We must continue our march forward and meet the enemy head on. I am confident we are up to the task! The task of building an inclusive and caring Namibian House, free from tribalism, regionalism, racism and divisions is one we must pursue and defend obstinately.
“Let us now hold hands and caucus, craft and explore ways to deliver on the commitments we made, in order to meet our people’s greatest aspirations and our own, as patriots.”
The Swapo government must now govern in a more responsive manner to deliver results, the president added.
“Although governance often requires the convergence of a myriad of interests, our ultimate objective should be the development of a united nation, characterised by shared prosperity.”
Hurry up
Geingob, who was speaking during the opening ceremony of a two-day Cabinet retreat, said it is time government increase the speed of implementation to meet the expectations of Namibians.
“Delays in decision-making undermine implementation, and non-implementation results in non-service delivery. It is in this regard that we need to get rid of implementation inertia and bureaucratic red-tape,” he said.
He reminded Cabinet members that if there is no clarity, they are first line of defence and have an obligation to articulate and clarify government policy at all times.
“I can assure you that there is a price to pay if we don’t communicate robustly and if adversaries are permitted to repeat untruths without rebuttal on the side of Cabinet members,” Geingob said.
[email protected]
WINDHOEK
President Hage Geingob has expressed displeasure at Swapo’s dismal performance in last week’s election, where it lost control of key cities including the capital Windhoek and economic heavyweight regions such as Erongo.
Yet, Geingob hastened to point out that his party respects the democratic outcome – which confirmed further ascendance of the party that lost its two-thirds majority in the 2019 parliamentary election.
In 2015, Swapo controlled all 14 regions, but this time, it only won nine.
The opposition won more constituencies than Swapo in Erongo, Kunene, Hardap and //Karas, while in Zambezi, it could only muster half of what was at stake.
The party went on to lose control of about 30 of the 57 local authorities to the opposition.
But despite the heartache and tough lessons learnt after losing ground in an election it previously dominated at will, Geingob said his party accepts its fate as decided by Namibian voters.
‘I will support you’
The president also dispelled rumours that Swapo, which holds the strings to the national purse through central government, will starve the opposition in charge of local authorities.
“We are not happy, but we are democrats and we are saying congratulations to those who were elected,” he said.
Geingob added that politicians need to hold hands to best serve the nation.
“People have spoken now. I wish my brothers well who are now going to answer [to] the promises [made]. Let us give others a chance to see how to do it. I will work with you and support you,” he said.
March forward
“Failure is not an option. We must continue our march forward and meet the enemy head on. I am confident we are up to the task! The task of building an inclusive and caring Namibian House, free from tribalism, regionalism, racism and divisions is one we must pursue and defend obstinately.
“Let us now hold hands and caucus, craft and explore ways to deliver on the commitments we made, in order to meet our people’s greatest aspirations and our own, as patriots.”
The Swapo government must now govern in a more responsive manner to deliver results, the president added.
“Although governance often requires the convergence of a myriad of interests, our ultimate objective should be the development of a united nation, characterised by shared prosperity.”
Hurry up
Geingob, who was speaking during the opening ceremony of a two-day Cabinet retreat, said it is time government increase the speed of implementation to meet the expectations of Namibians.
“Delays in decision-making undermine implementation, and non-implementation results in non-service delivery. It is in this regard that we need to get rid of implementation inertia and bureaucratic red-tape,” he said.
He reminded Cabinet members that if there is no clarity, they are first line of defence and have an obligation to articulate and clarify government policy at all times.
“I can assure you that there is a price to pay if we don’t communicate robustly and if adversaries are permitted to repeat untruths without rebuttal on the side of Cabinet members,” Geingob said.
[email protected]
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article