Rudolf Gaiseb
Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani has vowed to address food insecurity in the Kavango West region.
He was speaking at the party’s mega rally over the weekend in Nkurenkuru.
He stressed that the region continues to face serious challenges that come with underdevelopment.
“The agricultural sector remains underdeveloped. The party will invest in agricultural innovation, providing smallholder farmers with access to modern techniques and resources.
This will not only enhance productivity, but also address the pressing issue of food insecurity faced by many families in our region,” he said.
He noted that “poor road infrastructure limits our access to essential services. Inadequate water supply forces our communities into a daily struggle for survival, often coming face to face with wildlife and sometimes losing their lives in the process. The lack of rural electrification leaves too many families in the dark.
“Additionally, the scarcity of educational and health facilities has hampered our progress, while Nkurenkuru, as a hub of economic activity, cannot bear this burden alone”.
In alignment with his party’s manifesto, he promised to establish at least one manufacturing industry in all 121 constituencies by 2029.
He said the initiative will drive the private sector with supportive government policies to create jobs and stimulate Namibia’s economy.
“The PDM government will provide essential support to foster their growth, and enhance their contribution to economic development. This initiative will consider tax rebates and incentives to make industries more competitive. We envisage transforming the structure of the economy from one dependent on production and the export of raw materials to a value-added, industrialised economy, driven primarily by the private sector,” he underlined.
“To boost local industries, the PDM government will mandate that at least 80% of goods and services procured by the state come from local manufacturers. This policy will create a sustainable market for local goods, protect emerging domestic industries, and generate jobs. The PDM government will amend the Procurement Act to mandate that at least 80% of all agricultural goods procured by the state be produced locally,” Venaani emphasised.
PDM also aims to establish more clinics and hospitals to ensure that the healthcare system is equipped to equally meet the needs of the country’s growing population.
“Under the pertinent matter of healthcare, we endeavour to upgrade facilities across the region to provide quality care for all. Every Namibian should have access to healthcare without the fear of financial ruin.
As outlined in our manifesto, we will address this inequality by building health facilities, especially primary health care facilities and health centres within a five-kilometre radius for optimal access, especially in the rural areas,” he said.
He added: “As part of our commitment to ensuring that no one has to walk for hours to fetch water is non-negotiable, we seek to prioritise enhancing access to clean water and building vital infrastructure in our communities”.
Moreover, he pledged to construct six rehabilitation facilities and mental health facilities across six regions.
This is to increase accessibility and affordability of alcohol and drug rehabilitation centres.
The party hopes to adopt a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to health that combines multisectoral policy and action, empowers people and communities, and allows primary care and essential public health to function as the core of integrated health services.
On the education front, Venaani promised to establish more classrooms to curb the overcrowding of pupils at schools.
He said he will invest in teacher training programmes to ensure that children receive the best possible learning experience.
“As we reflect on the achievements of our students in grades 11 and 12 – and the Kavango West region boasts some of the best results in the country – it is heart-breaking to acknowledge that many of our schools are overcrowded and under-resourced.
We recognise that we face a catastrophic unemployment crisis, particularly among our youth, with over 40% of young people being unemployed,” he underscored.
“In terms of vocational training, we will set up massive open online courses and distance learning teaching classrooms to make it convenient for working people and housewives to further their education,” he promised.