“Ask not what your country can do for you; rather ask what you can do for your country” is a quote from John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address on 20 January 1961.

As we pen this week’s editorial, the quote reverberates vividly across Namibia’s length and breath as the country heads into the decisive election week.

Next Wednesday, 27 November 2024, will be a day like no other when over 1 million Namibians are expected to exercise their democratic right to cast their votes in the Presidential and National Assembly elections. It is a pivotal exercise that will separate pretenders from contenders on both crowded ballot papers. 

While most of the attention will be firmly on the candidates and parties contesting for the general election, we should not forget to tackle the elephant in the room – voter apathy – which has seen a significant number of eligible voters staying away from the polls. The last general election was marred by a low voter turnout, as only 60% of registered voters cast their votes. The situation is much worse when it comes to local authority and regional council elections, where turnout has been substantially woeful. 

However, there may be reasons, justifiably so, why voters might be apathetic.

The youth have been accused of being disillusioned with the current situation, resulting in a huge number staying away from polls. Disappointingly, most young people are not interested in politics and consider decisions made on their behalf as inevitable, with little impact on their lives. They do not see themselves as true participants in that process. Many view government as an aloof entity, removed from the realities of their undignified lives. But the youth must be reminded that every aspect of their lives is touched by the decisions made by those they only see on TV or speeding past them in flashy imported luxury cars. The reality remains: whether you “do politics” or not, politics will find itself on your doorstep, regardless of whether you invite it or not.

This time around, we hope to see a different picture, one where the youth, who account for the largest voter block, turn up en masse to dictate the type of future they envision for themselves and their children through the ballot.

If you don’t vote, you forfeit the only opportunity you have to voice your opinion about who should make decisions on your behalf.

If the current enthusiasm ahead of the polls is anything to go by, this is expected to change as more voters have shown hunger and zeal to vote.

In a country troubled by severe social and economic problems, including youth unemployment that has spiralled out of control, we have seen political actors across the divide, criss-crossing Namibia from corner to corner, spreading their gospel on why voters should entrust them with their votes.

A glance through the different manifestos and rally speeches showed that for once, leaders steered clear of making outrageous false campaign promises that are not achievable in the first place.  No one promised heaven on earth or the Biblical land of milk and honey. 

They mostly focused on how they will unchain Namibians from the yoke of their struggles, how they will use the current legal framework to achieve those goals, and how their plan will pay for it.

The Electoral Commission of Namibia, politicians, parties, civil society organisations, and the media have done their part to educate and sensitise voters about the importance of participating in this exercise. The ball is now in the voters’ court. Whether they spike, kick, volley, or block it is now up to them.

We, therefore, once again, call on all eligible Namibians to please go and vote. 

Voting is not just to exercise your own rights; it is also your responsibility to participate in the decisions made on your behalf. But as the adage goes, “You can take a donkey to a waterhole, but you cannot force it to drink.” The same goes for voters. Namibian voters have no reason to stay at home on 27 November. 

They are indeed spoilt for choices as far as the Presidential and National Assembly elections are concerned. It is now over to them to ask not what Namibia has done for them. The onus is now on the voters to do it for the Land of the Brave. Go out and vote!