SWAKOPMUND – German-speaking Namibians living at the coast want Swapo presidential candidate Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to surround herself with capable and trustworthy individuals as she prepares to lead Namibia, should she be elected. 

Nandi-Ndaitwah spent the weekend at the coast, engaging Afrikaans and German-speaking communities, the youth and Swapo members, rallying support for her upcoming presidential campaign.

Herald Hecht, the chairperson of German-speaking Namibians, took the opportunity to offer some candid advice during their engagement. 

“We need to change our mindset, and we encourage you, should you be elected Namibia’s first female president, to pick the right people for your team. 

You will be the coach of that team and, arguably, very well-positioned since you are the last survivor of Namibia’s first cabinet in 1990,” he said to audible approval from his community.

Hecht said Nandi-Ndaitwah’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption highlights her potential positive impact on the country’s economic transformation.

 “It is quite normal that a coach of a team is older than the players,” he added.

He also expressed admiration for the peaceful transition of power in Namibia following the passing of president Hage Geingob, calling it a “remarkable experience”. 

Hecht noted that despite the challenges the nation faces, Namibia has maintained peace and stability over the past 34 years, which has led to new prosperity for millions.

“A lot of investors from Europe are looking at Namibia as a safe haven and an alternative destination; especially given the unfortunate events since February 2022 with the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing war in Gaza.This has further compounded the desire to leave Europe, and look for greener pastures elsewhere,” he added.

Many German-speaking Namibians were uncertain about their future in the country at independence in 1990. 

“If someone had told me 34 years ago that today I would be grateful for living in Namibia compared to Europe, I would not have believed it. Hence, we are here to listen and to be heard,” he said.

Hecht did not shy away from addressing the significant challenges that remain in Namibia, particularly structural inequality. 

He said the effects of colonialism and apartheid have not been mitigated in 34 years of independent Namibia, and they (German descendants) are still evaluated as the wealthiest group in Namibia. 

Furthermore, the population growth of Namibia is outpacing economic growth, creating an unsustainable political and business model. 

“Our social peace as a country is at stake. Therefore, we are calling on  the government to improve the quality of the trading environment, and embrace new economic developments in sectors such as oil and gas, green hydrogen, and other minerals. 

“We must fully maximise the return from these new opportunities,” Hecht emphasised.

Vote for me

Nandi-Ndaitwah did not beat about the bush during her engagements, and asked those in attendance to vote for her.

“It is the right thing to do, and only through voting can Namibians have a say in the management of the affairs of the state. Through your vote, this would further strengthen our democratic culture, she said.

She furthermore expressed commitment to leading Namibia into a new era of inclusive social and economic development. 

“In the history of our 34 years of democracy, this government has maintained peace and stability – a prerequisite for development for any progressive state,” she said.

Acknowledging the challenges ahead, she pointed out the importance of good governance and integrity. 

Namibia doesn’t have a problem with money, but the way money is being used, along with service delivery.

“Therefore, I do not want to make promises; I will tell you what I want to do. Trust us, as I have said, when I am elected as president of the Swapo party and the Swapo party into government, the administration will work towards a peaceful, united and prosperous Namibia. I don’t want to tell the people what they want to hear. I want to tell the people what I am going to do. 

“Because if you tell people what they want to hear, you are going to disappoint them. They will hear, they will celebrate, but if you are not delivering, you are destroying the whole country because the trust and confidence in the political system will vanish. So, when we finalise the election manifesto, it will outline what is going to be done, and it will be done,” Nandi-Ndaitwah added.

(Netumbo)

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