IPC must prove different

The newly-formed Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) party of Dr Panduleni Itula has finally descended on the political fraternity after weeks of speculation.

Like other Namibian formations that preceded it, it arrived with pomp and fanfare.

In the minds of those who created it, the party must repeat or outstrip its leader's performance in last year's presidential election, where he attained 30% of the vote.

But that does not come on a silver platter. Votes will not just land in the laps of Itula and his party – there is real work to be done.

Namibians have been fed crafty speeches by predecessors of IPC and there is no more space left in their belly for further blabbering.

To remain relevant, IPC must avoid exactly what led to its formation, which was the intense factional fights in Itula's former party, Swapo.

Factionalism, hunger for positions and lack of intra-party democracy are common denominators in Namibia political parties.

It was exactly these events that buried the Congress of Democrats alive and beat the living light out of the Rally for Democracy and Progress, which is now by the graveside waiting for the final eulogy before its casket is lowered six metres under.

Swapo is at its most vulnerable since independence, but even when it is limping like a wounded buffalo, it has enough ammunition to bounce back stronger if it gets its act together.