The main point of this article is to encourage Namibians to remain friends with each other before, during and after the election process. 

This is underpinned by the reality that there is absolutely no need to generate hatred or discontent amongst each other, just because people want to be elected as president, or parties want majority seats in Parliament. At the end, there is absolutely more than enough space for all of us in our beautiful country. 

Namibia is going to conduct presidential and parliamentary elections on Wednesday, 27 November 2024. Elections are by default a divisive mechanism as people must choose which party or presidential candidate they prefer over the other. 

These choices are influenced by many factors, and often pit people against each other. What makes matters worse is the fact that politicians use each trick in the book to make this or the other party, or presidential candidate, look worse than themselves. 

The danger lies in politicians influencing people to hate or despise each other during election processes. This is not a good thing and there is no need for those who had no issue with each other to all of a sudden become estranged or even enemies, just because of the democratic exercise called elections. 

Elections are part of our democratic system, as they give citizens the right to vote for their preferred party and presidential candidate. This is enshrined in the constitution, as the narrative of a government by the people and for the people. Namibia, in line with its constitutional requirements, has held elections ever since independence. One of the major successes of past elections is the peaceful and non-violent manner elections took place, and Namibia has, rightly so, been praised internationally for holding peaceful elections, and running a country that is considered peaceful and stable. 

It is something that citizens should not take for granted, as nothing great is achieved during unrest or when peace and stability are missing. The examples are many to ponder and there is absolutely no need to create unstable environments in our beautiful country. 

Considering that the population, or citizens, generally do not hate each other or are in not conflict or war with each other, should be maintained by all means necessary before, during, and after elections. As citizens we should not allow ourselves to be swayed by those seeking political offices in such a manner that we turn against each other for their benefit; it is just not worth it. It is absurd, and absolutely not necessary. We should, as we have in the past, live together in peace and harmony, for where there is peace and harmony, there is life and progress. 

I would also like to mention that there is a need to tolerate different views. Just because your friend is choosing to support a different party, or presidential candidate as you, does not mean that all of a sudden, your friend has become useless and should no longer be worthy of your friendship. There is absolutely nothing wrong with having different views and all that is left to us is really just trying to convince our friend, why we think our party is a better choice than theirs. These choices come only once in five years, and should also not be made much bigger than they ought to be, as life continues right after election day. 

The idea is to have a stable and peaceful country where each and every citizen can be happy, and have opportunities to better their life. 

Therefore, I would like to advise all of us, especially the youth, that there is absolutely no need to allow the election process to destroy friendships that have been built over years, but for us to rather ensure that we remain friends before, during and after elections. 

*Iipumbu Sakaria is a Namibian citizen, and these views are his own, and written on his own behalf.