Republican Party of Namibia leader Henk Mudge has expressed what he terms deep concern over the state of the nation under the current administration. 

Speaking to the media at a briefing on Monday, he highlighted several issues facing the country, including unemployment, poverty and corruption. 

Mudge also used the platform to unveil 26 candidates for the National Assembly elections. 

The list, he said, represents all regions. 

“The unemployment rate in Namibia has reached an unprecedented high, and poverty levels are rising to unheard-of levels. We cannot continue to ignore the challenges facing our people,” he said. 

He stated that should he become the president of Namibia, one of his top priorities would be to revitalise the agricultural sector. 

Mudge vowed to initiate labour-intensive agricultural projects, particularly in the northern regions such as Kavango and Zambezi, to create jobs and enhance food security.

“My government’s priority will be to immediately start with labour-intensive projects which will create employment. Since a vast majority of our people in the Four-O regions, the Kavango and Caprivi are traditionally agriculturists, I will order the ministry of agriculture to set in motion plans to create as many irrigation projects as possible along our northern rivers, and assist small-scale farmers with technical assistance, finance, equipment and good seeds to enlarge their fields so that they will be able to upgrade from subsistence farmers to successful productive farmers, who will in a short period be able to enjoy better living conditions than just surviving from harvest to harvest,” he noted.

Food security

Mudge emphasised the potential for Namibia to become self-sufficient in food production, and even develop into the ‘breadbasket’ for SADC. 

Debt

The politician expressed his frustration with the government’s handling of Namibia’s debt, calling it irresponsible borrowing, and mismanagement of public funds. 

He proposed renegotiating Namibia’s share of profits from its natural resources to increase the government’s revenue, asserting that the State should receive at least 80% of the net profits from mining operations.

“We are not interested in nationalising any mine because we are not interested in owning any share in a mine, other than a profit share. Once we are successful with this, we will be able to pay back all our debt over a short period of time, especially to the World Bank, the IMF and China,” he stated.

Divine intervention 

A notable point in Mudge’s speech was his call for the return of Bible lessons to the school curriculum, citing that a majority of Namibians belong to the Christian faith. 

Additionally, he proposed barring the establishment of foreign faiths, with a specific focus on preventing the spread of Islam, which he associated with causing unrest.

The politician pledged to reduce the government workforce by 50% over time, saying the country can no longer afford the bloated civil service. 

He also vowed to implement strict reforms, including the immediate dismissal of incompetent public servants, and tighter restrictions on the use of government resources such as vehicles.

On land reform, he sharply criticised the government’s efforts, declaring the resettlement process a “disaster”.

“I will look at the allocations of resettlement farms. How this government has dealt with land reform and resettlement is a disaster,” he emphasised.

He promised to review and cancel certain farm allocations that he claims only benefitted the political elite, and to restart the process more transparently and equitably.

Mudge also took aim at Namibia’s judicial system, describing the treatment of those involved in the 1999 Caprivi secessionist attempt as scandalous. 

He vowed to work towards the release of those still imprisoned, arguing they no longer pose a threat to national security. 

“I will dissolve the Anti-Corruption Commission, and appoint competent people. It’s no secret that Mr Paulus Noa and his team have completely failed in their responsibilities. Corrupt ministers and government officials, both past and present, have not been taken to court nor held accountable. We know who they are, and yet, no action has been taken,” he charged. 

The politician was not done throwing barbs. “Additionally, I would dissolve the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN). Recent events have shown that the ECN is not impartial, and has become a tool for Swapo to maintain their majority in Parliament at all costs.” 

The newly-elected executive members of the Republican Party, including vice president Alvira Theron and secretary general Lucia Tsevede, were introduced to the media following Mudge’s speech, marking a new chapter in the party’s leadership, as it prepares for the upcoming elections. 

-ljason@nepc.com.na