Youth should rally behind Swapo this November

The fact remains: Swapo is the only political force that successfully united Namibia during the darkest days of colonial oppression. Long before independence, it had a clear and solid plan for the country - liberating us politically and delivering the freedom we enjoy today.Namibia’s pre-independence era was shaped by the leadership of towering figures such as Sam Nujoma, Andimba Toivo ya Toivo, Hage Geingob, and others. These giants laid a firm foundation for us, the youth, to carry forward the struggle they began nearly 60 years ago through Swapo. It is now our collective responsibility to actualise their vision by pursuing the second phase of our struggle: economic emancipation.Too often, young Namibians take for granted the peace and stability we enjoy under the Swapo-led government. Without this stability, we would not have the freedom to attend school, care for our families, earn a living, or even dream of a better future.In the last local elections, we witnessed formerly well-functioning municipalities deteriorate in terms of development and service delivery. This decline followed the rise of opposition-led councils, elected on promises that have since proven empty. Towns like Walvis Bay and Swakopmund, now governed by opposition parties, have seen setbacks in youth empowerment and a rise in administrative dysfunction. These councils appear more interested in opposing Swapo than in genuinely serving the electorate - at the expense of the very people who voted them in.To avoid stagnation and political instability, Namibians must critically assess the outcomes of opposition-led governance. Some opposition politicians could not even complete a year in office due to internal squabbles or questionable ethics. That is not leadership - it is political theatre.If we are to reclaim our towns and chart a stable path forward, we must be wary of those who oppose merely for the sake of it. Many of these leaders lack both the compassion and competence to govern. Instead of progress, they have brought regression to towns that once thrived.In the face of rising unemployment and economic challenges, we must rally under the Swapo banner - our best hope for a prosperous future. We need a revolutionary mindset toward our economic realities: to be honest about what works, discard what doesn’t, and embrace a credible path forward. The 2025–2030 Swapo Manifesto stands out as the only comprehensive plan capable of uplifting our people and fulfilling the dream of shared prosperity. No government is perfect, but a responsive and willing one - like Swapo’s - is a solid starting point.Young Namibians must not be swayed by opportunists with no clear or credible vision. Some opposition parties have consistently demonstrated internal conflict and dysfunction when placed in leadership roles, paralysing local governance. Their fixation on discrediting Swapo often overshadows any genuine attempt to build or deliver.That said, members of the opposition are also Namibians and have a role to play in nation-building. But that role must be constructive - ensuring that our country’s natural resources benefit all citizens, that innovation is encouraged, and that service delivery is prioritised. In today’s interconnected world, we cannot afford political paralysis or division. Unity under the Swapo banner is essential.Voting for the opposition at this critical moment would be like putting the Titanic in reverse to crash into the iceberg again.Swapo has a proven track record and remains best positioned to lift Namibians out of poverty and into prosperity. Let us stand together for the future of our nation. The love for this country did not die - it blossomed into a flower with blue, red, and green petals: the Swapo Party of Namibia.* Absalom Shihepo is secretary for the SPYL Hosea Kutako branch in the John Pandeni district. He can be reached on absalomstar@gmail.com

Youth should rally behind Swapo this November

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-07

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Youth should rally behind Swapo this November

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-07

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