Swapo reacts to losing the south
17 December 2020 | Politics
ELIZABETH JOSEPH
KEETMANSHOOP
Swapo’s acting //Karas regional coordinator Jims Christiaan says it is difficult to single out reasons for the party losing the region to the Landless People’s Movement (LPM).
The party lost in the two southern regions, including Hardap. In //Karas, Swapo won the Oranjemund and !Nami?Nûs constituencies, but failed to win majority seats on the town councils of Oranjemund and Luderitz. LPM won all five remaining constituencies in //Karas, and all declared results in Hardap.
“The regional leaders as well as the leaders assigned to //Karas have tried to campaign by all means to convince the electorate and they have decided,” he said.
“The other reason is that most of our members could not vote due to certain reasons. This can be confirmed by the total voters who voted against the total voters registered.”
Christiaan added that opposition parties promised the voters many programmes and projects during their campaigns.
“It is now time to practice what they have preached. As Swapo, we accept the results and will watch with an eagle eye without blocking them to execute their dreams," he said.
Introspection
Christiaan further spoke about what Swapo will do in preparation for the next elections.
"We will arrange for introspection to look at the reasons why the party lost in the elections and will thereafter take necessary steps to rectify the issues amicably.”
Swapo also hopes to ensure that its sections, branches and districts are fully operational.
“Through this action, we will make sure that the masses receive necessary attention and involvement," Christiaan said.
Lost ground
After winning 112 of the 121 constituencies in 2015, the ruling party lost ground to the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) in Windhoek, Walvis Bay and Swakopmund, while LPM took nearly everything on offer in the south.
The ruling party has lost its hold on local authorities in Keetmanshoop, Windhoek, Mariental, Walvis Bay, and Swakopmund, highlighting the declining popularity of the party. It also lost constituencies in the Kunene, Hardap and Zambezi regions.
Projects
The Neckartal and Naute dams in the //Karas Region are at the top of the party's priority list for development projects.
In recent years, there have been several disputes involving the employees at Naute Dam and, according to Christiaan, this will be dealt with first.
"We are committed to focusing on the Neckartal Dam irrigation projects that are to be funded and become operational. We will also fight to make sure that the employment conditions of Naute Dam employees will get attention.
“We are committed in //Karas to make sure that Rosh Pinah and Aussenkehr will be proclaimed towns. We are also committed to fighting for the social well-being of the inhabitants and that youth unemployment is addressed properly.”
KEETMANSHOOP
Swapo’s acting //Karas regional coordinator Jims Christiaan says it is difficult to single out reasons for the party losing the region to the Landless People’s Movement (LPM).
The party lost in the two southern regions, including Hardap. In //Karas, Swapo won the Oranjemund and !Nami?Nûs constituencies, but failed to win majority seats on the town councils of Oranjemund and Luderitz. LPM won all five remaining constituencies in //Karas, and all declared results in Hardap.
“The regional leaders as well as the leaders assigned to //Karas have tried to campaign by all means to convince the electorate and they have decided,” he said.
“The other reason is that most of our members could not vote due to certain reasons. This can be confirmed by the total voters who voted against the total voters registered.”
Christiaan added that opposition parties promised the voters many programmes and projects during their campaigns.
“It is now time to practice what they have preached. As Swapo, we accept the results and will watch with an eagle eye without blocking them to execute their dreams," he said.
Introspection
Christiaan further spoke about what Swapo will do in preparation for the next elections.
"We will arrange for introspection to look at the reasons why the party lost in the elections and will thereafter take necessary steps to rectify the issues amicably.”
Swapo also hopes to ensure that its sections, branches and districts are fully operational.
“Through this action, we will make sure that the masses receive necessary attention and involvement," Christiaan said.
Lost ground
After winning 112 of the 121 constituencies in 2015, the ruling party lost ground to the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) in Windhoek, Walvis Bay and Swakopmund, while LPM took nearly everything on offer in the south.
The ruling party has lost its hold on local authorities in Keetmanshoop, Windhoek, Mariental, Walvis Bay, and Swakopmund, highlighting the declining popularity of the party. It also lost constituencies in the Kunene, Hardap and Zambezi regions.
Projects
The Neckartal and Naute dams in the //Karas Region are at the top of the party's priority list for development projects.
In recent years, there have been several disputes involving the employees at Naute Dam and, according to Christiaan, this will be dealt with first.
"We are committed to focusing on the Neckartal Dam irrigation projects that are to be funded and become operational. We will also fight to make sure that the employment conditions of Naute Dam employees will get attention.
“We are committed in //Karas to make sure that Rosh Pinah and Aussenkehr will be proclaimed towns. We are also committed to fighting for the social well-being of the inhabitants and that youth unemployment is addressed properly.”
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