WINDHOEK – Secretary General of the DTA, McHenry Venaani, says the party has become ineffective judging by its electoral performances.
At independence the DTA was a force to be reckoned with as it boasted 21 parliamentary seats that have now shrunk to a paltry two seats. “Motions are not getting votes, we are doing something wrong. Why are people not voting,” he questioned recently, as the succession debate heats up in the party. The DTA presidential hopeful told New Era that he intends to change the political outlook of the party should he succeed in his quest to unseat Katuutire Kaura to become the next DTA president.
Venaani launched his campaign for the party’s presidency in Opuwo last week, while his main opponent the incumbent Kaura, launched his campaign in Okakarara last weekend. “Young voters are not interested in issues not affecting them,” Venaani noted, adding that he would address issues such as the housing backlog, poverty, health and education among other pertinent matters.
Instead of criticizing the ruling party, Venaani advised opposition parties to play a meaningful role in assisting with issues of national interest. Among his objectives are the revival of the DTA, while in areas where the DTA has captured the majority of seats he would govern differently offering the example of Berseba, which he says is in need of new leadership direction.
Venaani added that he would make the regional offices more accessible since in his view they are currently dormant and promised to improve the party’s website and establish a prominent presence on social media sites where young people interact with each other. He also emphasised that the party needs to research issues and offer scientific proof to back facts when criticising government, as well as to improve the income streams of the party with business programmes.
He is of the view that politicians should address issues instead of employing mudslinging tactics when they engage with each other. “I will address bread and butter issues,” said Venaani, adding that he intends to encourage greater women’s participation in the DTA. Furthermore, Venaani explained that he tabled a motion to address the property regime to enable the use of rural property as collateral, which is still under investigation, as well as a motion on rural water subsidies, which government is working on.
Clearly on the defence, Kaura shot back saying his immaculate record speaks for itself and this should prompt DTA supporters to retain him as the opposition party’s president. Kaura emphasised that he has secured some major achievements as DTA president in respect of issues of national interest such as when he lobbied for Grade 10 failures to be given a second chance, which is now in practice in the Ministry of Education. “Now learners under the age of 16 years can repeat,” he said.
Kaura said that in October 2003 he tabled a motion requesting the write-off of all water debts incurred by impoverished communities that owe Namwater millions of dollars. He is also lobbying for Namwater to be abolished and to be made a state function under the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, although he has not met with much success in that endeavour. Government has started looking into the issue of water debts in the Oshana, Ohangwena and Otjozondjupa regions among others and has now also decided to subsidise water supply to the very poor, according to Kaura.
Kaura also tabled a motion in 2003 that sought to have old age pensions increased from N$250 to N$550. He added that he advocated the idea for government to consider providing tractors for ploughing in rural areas, adding his idea was initially rejected but government had a change of heart and currently provides tractors for ploughing.
Kaura last year announced that he had had enough of being an opposition leader and wanted to quit politics before making a complete turnabout and started lobbying to be re-elected party president. “It is time for me to do other things. There is a time to come and a time to go. Everyone has to analyse him or herself and for me it is time to be a voter and let other people carry on,” he claimed at the time.
Story by Lorraine Kazondovi