Herunga: Let’s not disappoint voters again
Swapo deputy secretary-general Uahekua Herunga has urged newly elected party leaders to work extra hard and avoid making mistakes for which the party was punished by voters in 2020.
Herunga told Namibian Sun that the ruling party is now focused on accelerating service delivery, echoing President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s call for results-driven leadership. He stressed that leaders are obliged to honour the promises made during the campaign period and that “there will be no room for non-performance”.
In last week’s local and regional authority elections, Swapo recorded notable gains - rising from 56.77% in 2020 to 63.35% in 2025. The party reclaimed Windhoek and secured equal seats with the opposition in both Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, positions that would enable it to govern through coalitions over the next five years. Swapo also won all but one constituency in the Hardap Region, a feat it has replicated in neighbouring ǁKharas.
Herunga attributed the improved performance to Nandi-Ndaitwah’s leadership vision, which he said has resonated with voters.
“We have to work extra hard not to disappoint the voters,” he said. “Every time you go to bed, you must ask yourself: What am I going to do for the people of Namibia tomorrow during working hours? From 8 to 5, what difference am I going to bring to people’s lives?”
Continuing practical engagement with the people
Herunga noted that the party will continue prioritising hands-on community engagement, the strategy he believes contributed to its success in regions where it regained control.
“The party intends to go back to the people with practical solutions, reinforcing the message that the Swapo Party is the only solution in the country,” he said.
Herunga added that residents in regions previously governed by opposition or independent leaders will “see the differences” under Swapo-led administrations. “The difference will be huge - you will see it for yourselves,” he said.
Swapo’s commitment to all Namibians
Herunga dismissed claims that Swapo would sabotage areas governed by other political parties.
“Swapo will not sabotage anybody or any region whatsoever, whether it is under the control of Swapo or any other political party,” he said, insisting that the ruling party is committed to developing every citizen, regardless of affiliation.
“As the Swapo Party, we feel that every single Namibian must be developed by the ruling party,” he said. “We believe that a member or leader of a different political party is still the unborn or toddler child of the Swapo Party who must be developed and fed by the Swapo Party.”
Accountability and performance expectations
Herunga emphasised that strict accountability will be enforced, noting that the president has the authority to act against non-performing cabinet members. “You are quite aware of the consequences of non-performance from our president,” he said. “Non-performance from our members, via the Swapo Party political bureau, will have to be addressed.”
He concluded by saying the party remains committed to ensuring Namibia is “safe and better in the hands of the ruling Swapo Party”.
Voter apathy
Out of 752 043 registered voters, only 272 942 cast their ballots—269 430 valid and 3 512 rejected. Nearly half a million registered voters stayed away, highlighting growing urban disengagement and dissatisfaction with municipal performance.
Herunga predicted that voter apathy will decline in upcoming elections, arguing that improved service delivery - promised in the Swapo election manifesto - will restore public confidence.
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Herunga told Namibian Sun that the ruling party is now focused on accelerating service delivery, echoing President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s call for results-driven leadership. He stressed that leaders are obliged to honour the promises made during the campaign period and that “there will be no room for non-performance”.
In last week’s local and regional authority elections, Swapo recorded notable gains - rising from 56.77% in 2020 to 63.35% in 2025. The party reclaimed Windhoek and secured equal seats with the opposition in both Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, positions that would enable it to govern through coalitions over the next five years. Swapo also won all but one constituency in the Hardap Region, a feat it has replicated in neighbouring ǁKharas.
Herunga attributed the improved performance to Nandi-Ndaitwah’s leadership vision, which he said has resonated with voters.
“We have to work extra hard not to disappoint the voters,” he said. “Every time you go to bed, you must ask yourself: What am I going to do for the people of Namibia tomorrow during working hours? From 8 to 5, what difference am I going to bring to people’s lives?”
Continuing practical engagement with the people
Herunga noted that the party will continue prioritising hands-on community engagement, the strategy he believes contributed to its success in regions where it regained control.
“The party intends to go back to the people with practical solutions, reinforcing the message that the Swapo Party is the only solution in the country,” he said.
Herunga added that residents in regions previously governed by opposition or independent leaders will “see the differences” under Swapo-led administrations. “The difference will be huge - you will see it for yourselves,” he said.
Swapo’s commitment to all Namibians
Herunga dismissed claims that Swapo would sabotage areas governed by other political parties.
“Swapo will not sabotage anybody or any region whatsoever, whether it is under the control of Swapo or any other political party,” he said, insisting that the ruling party is committed to developing every citizen, regardless of affiliation.
“As the Swapo Party, we feel that every single Namibian must be developed by the ruling party,” he said. “We believe that a member or leader of a different political party is still the unborn or toddler child of the Swapo Party who must be developed and fed by the Swapo Party.”
Accountability and performance expectations
Herunga emphasised that strict accountability will be enforced, noting that the president has the authority to act against non-performing cabinet members. “You are quite aware of the consequences of non-performance from our president,” he said. “Non-performance from our members, via the Swapo Party political bureau, will have to be addressed.”
He concluded by saying the party remains committed to ensuring Namibia is “safe and better in the hands of the ruling Swapo Party”.
Voter apathy
Out of 752 043 registered voters, only 272 942 cast their ballots—269 430 valid and 3 512 rejected. Nearly half a million registered voters stayed away, highlighting growing urban disengagement and dissatisfaction with municipal performance.
Herunga predicted that voter apathy will decline in upcoming elections, arguing that improved service delivery - promised in the Swapo election manifesto - will restore public confidence.
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