As Namibia entered a democratic state in 1990, the constitution raised hopes for an inclusive society that would include people with disabilities by promising a better life for all Namibians.

The law, ratified by 188 nations, including Namibia, was endorsed by the UN General Assembly in 2006 and now acts as a reference point for the rights of people with disabilities.

It is appropriate and legitimate to express dissatisfaction with all political party manifestos that marginalise or discriminate against individuals with disabilities, as this clearly shows that these individuals are not included in political processes and that there are substantial barriers to achieving equal citizenship in Namibia.

People with disabilities are unable to freely enjoy their rights as citizens of the country due to unjust and demeaning judgements that diminish their contribution to society and violate their dignity, recognising that individuals with impairments. Political parties, the government, and appropriate civil society organisations all have a shared responsibility for raising awareness of the rights to which Namibian citizens are legally entitled. The fight for the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in national politics needs to be strengthened by our politicians, and their political manifestos ought to support this.

Given that the basic idea of persons places a strong emphasis on the freedom and equality of every citizen, we must recognise that this notion encompasses an inclusive understanding of human dignity, which looks to be a solid foundation for advancing the rights of people with disabilities. My interpretation of political party manifestos bears unconscionably illogical ramifications.

If the basic interests of the disabled are not given fair attention, no society can be said to be formed by public reason, much less if marginalising those interests is required for the institutions to be legitimate.

Furthermore, the dismal political party manifestos further marginalise persons with disabilities because these individuals already face disadvantages in the labour market and have mostly been denied access to equal social engagement, prosperity, and respect. In addition to these materialist drawbacks, disabled people additionally face discrimination and stigma as abnormal and unwanted individuals who are subjected to repressive societal structures. People with disabilities need more than just respect to attain participatory parity; they also need material assistance, focused resource enhancement, and personal growth.

Because of its roots in societal economic configurations, disability necessitates a redistribution of wealth and possessions. When it comes to achieving social justice, disabled people need more than just barriers removed, unlike certain other marginalised groups. It is depressing that the National Federation of People with Disabilities in Namibia (NFPDN), an umbrella organisation for disabled people enabled by the Affirmative Action Act to represent an array of disability groups, has not done a better job of ensuring the rights of disabled people.

Despite this, the organisation has avoided speaking out about this issue.

 The reality is that people with disabilities still struggle in Namibia with conditions that have been neglected for far too long and for which there is now insufficient support. In addition, disabled individuals in Namibia experience exclusion from and limitations on their political participation.

Therefore, it dawned on us that the discrimination and prejudice we encountered were a part of every aspect of our lives and that societal policies, not personal shortcomings, were the fundamental reason for our isolation and segregation.

For people with disabilities, fairness and justice must be ensured through resource allocation and the development of the constitutional, social, and justice systems.

To create avenues for disabled people to participate in politics and to advocate for reforms, advocacy groups are vital. To promote a more inclusive political climate in Namibia, ongoing efforts are required to alter the narrative.

Manifestos conundrum

After reading their manifestos, I’ve concluded that Namibian political parties don’t have anything to offer people with disabilities.

Most political parties just discuss disability grants rather than empowering people with disabilities. Individuals with disabilities are not lazy; they just don’t want handouts.

They want empowerment so they can show off their skills. Youth and women’s empowerment are included in political manifestos. It’s critical to remember that limitations do not define a person’s skills.

Before casting our votes, it is essential that people with disabilities enquire about the measures in place to satisfy their needs. The emphasis is not on political leaders seeking to upstage other groups while sidelining us, but rather on important issues impacting the lives of people with disabilities.

I must speak out on behalf of those with disabilities and offer a critical analysis of the election manifestos put forth by the political parties that could form the government. For Namibia to develop a strong and reliable democratic system and to ensure that all people are fairly represented, there must be a strong commitment to honesty and responsibility in political debate.

 Consequently, I believe that these manifestos are only partially developed and that there is still an urgent need. 

As manifestos have devolved into nothing more than worthless pieces of paper, we recognise the need to enact reforms that hold political parties responsible for the promises made in their manifestos. 

We need to ask ourselves why we still allow discrimination against individuals with disabilities if, as we profess, we are a society of laws rather than people. Political leaders and parties will begin to focus in 2025. 27 November 2024 is the planned date of the Namibian election. Not enough persons with disabilities may participate in this voting process, despite their numbers.

All disabled people will vote because they are responsible citizens, and we will encourage others with disabilities to do the same, even if they are not included in mainstream development and governance processes. This is especially important when it comes to their representation in politics through election and appointment.  As a result, even with affirmative action, we feel that we are not included.

In conclusion, the political parties must admit that their failure to include persons with disabilities and raise their standards of living was an oversight and work to rectify it to restructure inclusivity to support more robust affirmative action. The attainment of full political citizenship for individuals with disabilities is contingent upon the political leadership of the country committing to upholding anti-discriminatory laws and safeguarding their rights.

*Josef Kefas Sheehama is an independent economics and business analyst.