Rudolf Gaiseb
While acknowledging internal challenges the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) has been facing, the party’s secretary general Manuel Ngaringombe says the party is now undergoing an era of rebuilding.
The party has undergone its own baptism of fire for a while now. From losing seats in parliament in the last presidential and national assembly elections, to divisions, retrenchments, some members quitting and financial turmoil.
However, at a press conference yesterday Ngaringombe said those are things of the past.
Following an ordinary meeting they held recently in Otjiwarongo under the banner “Rebuild, Redirect, and Expand Strategy (RRE)”, the party has decided to shed its old skin and aims to rebuild internal strength, redirect policy focus, and expand its reach countrywide.
“We acknowledged that as a movement, we have faced internal challenges, communication gaps, structural inefficiencies, and, at times, divisions that have weakened our effectiveness. But we did not shy away from these realities. Instead, we resolved to fix them,” Ngaringombe told media.
As part of its policy redirection, the centre-right political party is shifting its focus on agriculture, education, and health.
The party is advocating public-private partnerships, fair land reform and “real” support to producers.
“We acknowledge that farmers are struggling not to because they lack potential but because the system is failing them,” he said.
Additionally, PDM advocates for investment in skills, vocational training, and digital learning as a way to fix the education system.
On health matters the party says Namibians face the reality of overcrowded hospitals and unequal access. They are pushing for a strong public healthcare system, reinforced by strategic private sector partnerships, to deliver quality care for all. Yet at the same time, Ngaringombe noted that the party’s efforts may be hindered by “tactics weakening PDM’s strongholds”.
Referring to the minister of urban and rural development James Sankwasa’s rift with the Kunene regional council, he urged both parties to wait for the court verdict.
Ngaringombe indicated the councils should be paid pending this verdict. He says the administrative staff who are doing their work are affected, including the council’s capital projects.
“All I’m saying is that it’s now for the ministry to wait for the outcomes of the court. It’s for the regional council to wait for the outcome of the court,” he said.
He added that Namibia is governed by the rule of law, and the law must be respected, and the minister must act in accordance with the law.
“PDM has big respect and commitment in respect of the rule of law; we also have serious zero tolerance for corruption, and if there is anything being said that is not as per the law and there is some corruption and things were not done well, this is not what we are trying to justify but just the processes,” he said.
Ngaringombe noted that one of the strongest messages from the Indaba was that Namibia is too centralised.
“Regional and local authorities are not empowered as they should be. Councillors are often constrained by political interference and lack of resources,” he said.
He emphasised that as PDM, they will champion true decentralisation, respect for the rule of law, and empowerment of local government to deliver for communities.
“Development must not be controlled from the centre. It must be driven from the ground,” he underlined.
Background
This publication reported that last Monday, Sankwasa had blocked funds meant for the Kunene Regional Council, demanding the removal of acting chief regional officer George Kamseb.
A decision that was described by the regional council’s chairperson and Opuwo Urban constituency councillor Western Muharukua as unlawful and an attempt to force the council to act against its will.
The dispute follows the council’s refusal to remove Kamseb, whose appointment has been challenged in court.
Muharukua said that in 2021, the Kunene Regional Council reinstated Kamseb as chief regional officer.
The then minister of urban and rural development, Erastus Uutoni, challenged this decision in the High Court.
The court ruled in favour of the minister, prompting the council to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court.
Muharukua said that, according to legal principles, once an appeal is filed, the enforcement of the High Court judgement is suspended until the Supreme Court makes a final ruling.
Which would mean the CRO should continue in his capacity.
But despite this, he said, Sankwasa insisted that Kamseb be removed and has gone further by halting government funding to the council.
The council has expressed concern that capital projects could be paralysed, and workers’ salaries disrupted if the minister continues to withhold funds.
In the same reports, Muharukua has also warned that the operations of the entire council would be severely affected.