WINDHOEK – The DTA of Namibia says in its manifesto – if it were to win the elections slated for November, it would uplift the poorest of the poor and treat extreme poverty and malnutrition as a national priority.
The glossy DTA election manifesto has the headline “Moving Namibia Forward,” with the sub-headlines “Be the change you want,” and “Save our democracy.”
DTA says it has the firm belief “the real test of the success of a development process lies in the happiness of the common man.”
The party, which launched its 32-page manifesto on Saturday, says it supports the implementation of the Basic Income Grant (BIG) – a national poverty strategy, by introducing “a small donation” monthly, which would assist towards reducing hardships for the most destitute.
Omitara residents at Otjivero received a monthly grant of N$100 for two years when the first BIG pilot project was introduced in 2009, but it stopped when funds ran out.
It also promises to identify the 100 most backward constituencies and towns and bring them on par with other areas through prioritised and integrated development.
Furthermore, the DTA undertakes to empower large sections of the minority communities, such as the San, Zemba and Ovatue whom they say after several decades of independence remain stymied in poverty.
DTA also recognises traditional authorities of marginalised minorities of Zemba, Himba and Baster leaderships “to build a strong culture of pride and leadership.”
Other promises highlighted in the manifesto are the rolling out of a massive low cost housing programme by Namibia’s 36th year of independence, establishment of urban land resettlement scheme and provision of housing subsidy for first time buyers.
On land reform and farming, the DTA says it will develop virgin lands with fencing, resettle urban poor on urban land, mature subsistence farming into commercial production, evaluate farmers after probation period of 15 years, put in place welfare measures for farmers over 60 years, implement a rural farm insurance scheme for crop loss due to unforeseen natural disasters and establish rural credit facilities.
When it comes to governance, the party says that it will set up a people-centric, responsive and result-oriented administration to bring reforms, such as initiating a mission mode project for filling vacancies in the judiciary and doubling the number of courts and judges in the subordinate judiciary.
The DTA promises to set up separate courts for cases involving specified commercial laws which can fast track litigation process of traffic fines, initiate computerisation and networking of courts countrywide, set up national e-libraries, increase number of women in the judiciary and make legal information freely accessible, among others.
The party says it will give the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) the power to prosecute corruption cases, set-up local anti-corruption boards at constituency level with the power to refer to the ACC or the Director of Public Prosecutions, ban anyone convicted of corruption charges from working in government, have assets of companies and individuals found guilty of corruption frozen and put an end to Parliamentary immunity on corruption charges.
DTA says it is committed to reserve 30 percent parliamentary seats to women and would also provide single mothers with over one child, who earns less than N$2000 with a grant.
On transportation, it promises to create public transport system to reduce dependence on personal vehicles, build more airports for the potential of air transport and feasibility of an electric train from Okahandja to Windhoek and Rehoboth to Windhoek.
When it comes to energy and mining, it promises to introduce low-interest five-year loans, paid back as part of electricity bill for households to connect to national power grid, while introducing “judicious management policies to integrate industrial development and environmental conservation so that minerals are mined optimally to last long.”