OKAKARARA – Okakarara residents have cautioned political parties that they are not voting cows – who merely vote on election day – and quickly forgotten by politicians. 

Drawing reference from past elections, the town’s residents shared that they have witnessed the trend of politicians disappearing into thin air after they have garnered enough votes and instead secure their interests as opposed to delivering on their campaign promises. 

Uvangua Ijambo, a 33-year-old mother of three, said they are tired of political parties only coming to them in an election year to hear their problems. 

“Almost all parties have been here in Okakarara over the last few weeks, and it is only because it is an election year. They come here and make promises to improve our lives, but then nothing ever happens. They should stop turning us into voting cows, and then forget about us when elections are over. Over five years ago, they came here and promised us better housing, but we are still here in our shacks. It’s not good,” said Ijambo, who resides at the town’s informal settlement Okatumba. 

Utarera Ndjavera, who lives in Okakarara’s Ousaira informal settlement, echoed similar sentiments. 

“The electoral commission complaints about the low turnout of voters at polling sites, but they must also understand that people are tired and frustrated by the empty promises of political parties. The politicians come here, and they look at our living conditions and then start making all sorts of promises about improving our welfare. After getting our votes, they disappear. It must stop because we just can’t be used as voting instruments to help other people go to Parliament,” added Ndjavera, who said this year he will be voting wisely.

Ijambo and Ndjavera, who cautioned first-time voters to vote wisely on Wednesday, are both not first-time voters and their grievances are from past experiences.

Amongst the many issues the residents want resolved is the heated landlessness issue, lack of potable water and electricity in some informal settlements as well as sewage problems at the town, which have become a thorn in residents’ flesh. 

-ohembapu@nepc.com.na