Traditional parties losing grip ahead of elections - analysts

Political commentators warn that a surge in associations contesting in the upcoming local authority elections reflects growing distrust in traditional political parties.The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has confirmed that 456 candidates from 20 political parties and 68 independents will contest the 26 November polls.This marks a decline from 2020, when 503 candidates, including 92 independents, represented 18 political parties and 13 associations.For 2025, the ECN has registered 1 499 449 voters across Namibia’s 14 regional and 57 local authority councils.While 25 political parties and 29 associations are registered with the ECN, only 20 parties are contesting this year.The Christian Democratic Voice, Monitor Action Group, National Empowerment Fighting Corruption, National Patriotic Front, and Workers Revolutionary Party will not take part.Political commentator Dr Ben Mulongeni told Namibian Sun that many voters back new formations not out of conviction but out of exhaustion.“People are simply tired and fed up with the status quo," he said."When things aren’t going well, the blame always falls on those in charge. People also become disillusioned with the new parties they once supported, especially when those parties fail to make a meaningful impact."He said that after joining a new party, if there is no progress after two, three or even five years, people start saying, &#039;Ah, this one is not strong&#039;.“People want to see power. They want to feel part of that power, even if they didn’t contribute to it. If new parties or associations fail to deliver, people will simply say, ‘It’s all the same,’ and either stay away from voting or stick with what they know,” Mulongeni explained. Political discontent Association for Localised Interests (ASOLI) leader Joseph Kauandenge said the mushrooming of associations shows frustration with party politics at the local level.Kauandenge said party politics should be relegated to the back door at the local authority level because local authorities deal with bread-and-butter issues.He argued that party politics has hindered governance and failed to address residents’ concerns for the past 35 years."It is therefore no surprise that residents in various towns have taken it upon themselves to say, ‘Enough, we will take charge of our own affairs.’ Once a councillor is elected, there should be no issue of party affiliation, because they are expected to serve all residents."Yet, party politics continues to dominate council agendas, giving rise to so many associations,” Kauandenge said.Mushrooming associationsFormer parliamentarian Mike Kavekotora said several forces drive this shift.“One, it shows that political parties have failed to deliver on their promises to the satisfaction of voters. Secondly, some leaders view associations as a way of entering the political arena without offering tangible alternatives," he noted. "Lastly, some members of society jump to conclusions without properly defining the problem in order to address the real causes of the current political landscape,” he added.Kavekotora said that, in the end, what appears to be a solution often turns out to be little more than a fragmentation of voters, ultimately reinforcing the status quo.Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah said the rise of associations reflects deep mistrust in political parties. “Many feel these parties no longer represent their interests, so they’re turning to smaller, local groups they believe will listen and bring real change."He said while this broadens the pool of choices for voters, which is healthy for democracy, it can also split the vote among like-minded groups, making it easier for bigger or more organised parties to win, even with less overall support.Activist Shaun Gariseb echoed Kamwanyah’s concerns but warned against an oversupply of associations in single municipalities.“I do not think there&#039;s a need for multiple associations in one municipality when one, two, or at most three would suffice," he noted. He added that the purpose of residents’ associations is to represent residents’ interests without political interference collectively.Rising disillusionmentGariseb agreed that trust in political parties has declined because they do not prioritise residents’ interests, particularly service delivery, instead focusing on politics.He added that political considerations should be kept separate from municipal service delivery, cautioning that politics often undermines performance.“Right now, politics is interfering with service delivery, because politics dictates that if those in control are performing well, others at the national level may sabotage certain provisions to prevent them from looking good,” he said.Gariseb also warned against opportunists.“The public must be careful of opportunists or failed politicians who disguise themselves as associations, even though they did nothing to improve matters when they were in the municipalities,” he said.PDM leader McHenry Venaani warned that Namibians’ fascination with novelty undermines principle-based politics.“Bring a new party, it will draw support. Next election, it starts falling. Bring a new association, it supports. Namibians are just people who want new things. Politics is not about new things; it’s about principles," he stressed.“These associations and independent candidates, they’re independent of what? To what philosophy? You want somebody independent of what? You are being governed from someone’s home, and that is the independence of being independent,” Venaani said.While acknowledging the excitement around new movements, he urged voters to remain discerning.nikanor@nmh-hub.com.na#namibiadecides2025

Traditional parties losing grip ahead of elections - analysts

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Namibian Sun 2026-02-13

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Traditional parties losing grip ahead of elections - analysts

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Namibian Sun 2026-02-13

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