Hendrik Gaobaeb, the presidential candidate for the United Democratic Front, has unveiled an ambitious manifesto that promises significant reforms in land redistribution, education, housing, and social safety nets.

Speaking at the launch, Gaobaeb laid out his party’s vision for a more equitable and corruption-free Namibia at the DRC sports field in Otjiwarongo, on Saturday. 

Gaobaeb positioned his party as the best alternative to govern Namibia and uplift its people from poverty and underdevelopment.

Addressing the crowd of loyal supporters, Gaobaeb expressed the party’s readiness to lead Namibia towards a brighter future. 

“The wind of change is blowing,” he declared. “Hendrik Gaobaeb and UDF are the combination that will unlock the door to a dignified life and an economically emancipated Namibian nation.”

The 17-page manifesto outlined UDF’s commitment to addressing Namibia’s key social and economic challenges. 

Gaobaeb condemned the lack of access to land, with a specific focus on the San community. 

He called it “a disgrace” and urged immediate action. 

“The only dignified thing to do is allocate one urban plot per person. In the same vein, the landlessness of the San community in the land of their birth is a disgrace and it must be addressed immediately,” he said.

Education featured prominently in the UDF’s manifesto, with Gaobaeb pledging to build schools with hostels for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. 

“Education is the greatest equaliser, therefore, the UDF government pledges to build schools with hostels to accommodate children from poor backgrounds. This will ensure that they have three quality meals per day and their only job will be to concentrate on their studies,” Gaobaeb announced.

Housing is another critical issue that the UDF aims to tackle. 

Gaobaeb promised that under his leadership, every Namibian would own a dignified home within five years. He blamed poor governance for the country’s housing crisis, stating, “We have a small population, and lack of good governance is the cause of the housing problem that we face in Namibia.”

The UDF also took a strong stance against corruption. 

“Do not place power in the wrong hands,” Gaobaeb warned, adding, that corruption has denied many Namibians opportunities that they could have utilised to improve their living standards. UDF pledges to give Namibians a corruption-free government.

A major economic reform proposed in the manifesto is the implementation of a basic income grant. 

“A basic income grant will be implemented within the first 100 days of my tenure as president. We will give every unemployed Namibian N$500, with the qualifying age limit from 18 to 59,” Gaobaeb declared. 

He also promised an immediate increase in social grants for the elderly, orphans, and persons with disabilities within the first 30 days of taking office.

Gaobaeb criticised existing mining deals, vowing to renegotiate them to ensure greater benefits for Namibians.

 “All the mining deals have to be renegotiated. We cannot continue to give away a large stake of ownership of our mines to foreigners. These resources should be utilised to give the government a good revenue base to implement its programmes,” he emphasised.

Gaobaeb took direct aim at the ruling party, questioning its effectiveness in tackling these issues over the past 34 years.

 “If they are aware of the challenges, why haven’t they addressed them? This shows ignorance on their part and that they are not fit to govern Namibia anymore,” he charged.

Gaobaeb highlighted the party’s intention to overhaul Namibia’s healthcare system, which he described as “weak”, adding that “many lives are lost due to a system that empowers the elite while hospitals run out of critical medication.”

One of the most striking aspects of the manifesto is its pledge to tackle land distribution inequities. Gaobaeb criticised the resettlement farm programme, saying, “The elite are getting resettled, while those who deserve it are overlooked based on their ethnicity or political affiliation.”

UDF committed to providing every Namibian with access to dignified housing, vowing to solve the country’s housing crisis within five years of Gaobaeb’s tenure as president. “Every Namibian will be proud owners of dignified houses,” he promised.

Reactions

Following the launch of their manifesto, deputy secretary general Davey van Wyk expressed his excitement about the party’s direction and leadership. 

In an interview with New Era on Saturday, Van Wyk emphasised the resurgence of UDF as a significant political force, urging Namibians -especially the youth – to take an active role in shaping the country’s future.

“As you can see, the crowd is here, the support is here for the UDF. I’m excited about the new leadership of the party, what we have brought to the table and the political landscape of our country,” said Van Wyk. 

He noted that UDF has returned with renewed energy and determination, positioning itself as the alternative to the established political parties.

In response to concerns about voter apathy, particularly among young people, he said: “To the youth and young people, we account for 70% of the voters of this country. 

I want to urge everyone that there is no time for us to sit and complain while our country is not going forward. You go out and air your voice with the vote.”

He stressed that failing to vote equates to allowing the status quo to persist, encouraging voters to choose UDF as the party that will represent and address their concerns. 

“If you don’t vote, it’s the same mess. You can’t just sit there at home and complain. You must stand up, look at the political arena, and go vote for UDF,” Van Wyk urged.

The national organiser of the party, Morits Geingob, said the UDF has thrown its weight behind the party’s manifesto, calling it a blueprint for a new and better Namibia. 

Speaking with conviction, Geingob emphasised that the UDF is offering a fresh start. 

“The president is very clear this is a new leadership with a new vision, new strategies,” he said. 

One of the key promises in the manifesto is free education for all Namibians, from pre-primary all the way to PhD level. 

Geingob confidently said, “Education will be free of charge under a UDF government.”

He claims that UDF offers the only real solution to the challenges the country faces, from land reform to poverty eradication.

-ljason@nepc.com.na