As Namibia prepares for the upcoming local and regional authority elections, we are once again witnessing the unfortunate and misleading trend of national leaders dominating the local political stage – using State resources, government platforms and influence to campaign for their preferred candidates. 

This practice, though long criticised, has silently become normalised. It continues to disadvantage smaller political parties, independent candidates, and – most crucially – our communities themselves. 

Local and regional elections are fundamentally meant to empower communities to choose leaders who represent them on the ground, not in Parliament or Cabinet, but in their everyday struggles, wards, constituencies and councils. 

However, when national politicians impose themselves on these elections, the very essence of local democracy is eroded. Communities are misled into believing that voting along national party lines will automatically bring development. They are made to feel that electing a candidate from the ruling party, often endorsed by top government officials, is the only path to progress. 

This is not only misleading, but it is dangerous for democracy. Development is a constitutional responsibility, not a favour handed down through party loyalty. 

The unfortunate reality is that the moment national leaders endorse local candidates, the focus shifts away from the individuals themselves – their character, track record, activism and service – and onto party identity. This creates an emotional and partisan voting environment, where voters are less concerned about who will best represent their daily interests. They are more focused on allegiance to party colours and slogans. 

But local governance is not about party politics. It is about service delivery. It is about clean water, functioning roads, refuse collection, housing, local business development and safety. These are issues best addressed by individuals who live and work among us – people who have proven their commitment long before an election is announced. 

Additionally, they are addressed by individuals who attend community meetings, organise clean-up campaigns, demand accountability from councils and help their neighbours when no media or politicians are watching. We need to urgently shift our thinking as voters. Local elections should not be used as a national popularity contest. They must instead focus on electing community champions – people who walk the journey with us through hardship and success. We must assess candidates not by the party they belong to, but by the actions they take when no one is clapping. 

We must move beyond emotional and blind voting, and instead ask, ‘What has this individual done for my community, and what will they continue to do?’ If we truly want local democracy to prevail, we must embrace decentralisation in its full spirit. 

Local branches, not national party headquarters, must take the lead in selecting candidates. Communities, not central committees, should guide the leadership conversation. 

Only then will we see true transformation in service delivery and community development. 

The misuse of State resources and influence by national leaders in local elections distorts the playing field. It sends a message to citizens that their local vote is not enough, and that it only counts when validated by a minister, deputy minister or party president. This undermines the value of the ballot and breeds voter apathy and disillusionment. But we, the people, are not powerless. 

We are in charge of what happens in our communities. We must take ownership of our vote, our representation and the direction our towns and villages take. Councils are there to serve us, not rule over us. Development is not a reward but a right. Let us stand up for our local democracy. Let us vote wisely – not with emotion or blind party loyalty but with informed judgment. 

Let us support individuals who have already proven themselves through action, service and genuine love for their communities. The time to reclaim local democracy is now. 

Namibia cannot afford another cycle of misplaced priorities and broken local promises.

*August Bikeur is a community activist.