A COW is a term used in British slang to describe someone who is lazy or stupid. As the 2024 election campaigns get underway, audio and text messages referring to people of the Kavango region as “voting cows” are making the rounds on social media platforms.

While the narrative might not be new, its continuous usage is becoming a nuisance, especially for those who respect the dignity of all human beings. It is implied by the narrative that the people of the two Kavango regions support a political party that solely uses them for its own interests and then dumps them after elections, to provide its constituents respectable jobs and appropriate development.

But one wonders whether natives from these regions exclusively vote for one party, and if not, why make such sweeping generalisations?

Moreover, are they the only ones who suffer from pauperism, given that reports from the media indicate that others are also at the receiving end? It could have been fair to classify all those who consistently vote for a party that only remembers them during elections under the same epithet, wherever they find themselves. The portrayal is incredibly offensive, repulsive and demeaning for those natives who use their consciences to vote.

It seems unfair to single out people from these regions as voting cows when, after all, there are also those who suffer at the hands of
the same party for which they
voted. In a democracy, citizens have the right to choose or support a political party whose programmes align with their values. It is imperative to understand that the cornerstone of any democratic process includes the choice of who to vote for, as well as who not to vote for. 

The right of each person to exercise autonomy in choosing how to vote is fundamental to the democratic ideal of elections. The implication of such a claim is
that it implies that the residents
of this region are ignorant and illiterate and can only be used. Putting all the people of Kavango regions in one pot will likely lead to voter apathy, as some may not see the point in casting a ballot, only to face humiliation after
wards. This is because not all of them vote for the same political party, or lack the maturity to make their own decisions. 

The proponents of this narrative need to be made aware that they are making the people of Kavango regions feel alienated. With this kind of mindset, the goal of a united nation will evaporate and never become a reality. This sentiment at times contains denigration and taunts that don`t sit well with all indigenous people. In addition to creating a feeling of detachment, the narrative feeds voter apathy because most political parties don`t include them in their top structures, leading some people from these regions to believe there is no reason to cast a ballot.
Many political parties have started to circle over the two Kavango regions like vultures since they consider them easy targets to be lied to. It is imperative to note that voting should not be done in a mindless manner; instead, it should have a real impact on someone`s life through electing representatives who genuinely care about his or her needs. Voting for or encouraging others to vote for the party one supports equals homicide, because one should choose representatives who share his or her sufferings, and who will stand up for the causes one cares about. Time has come for those who follow or vote without thinking to question their political parties about why they should vote for
such a party or candidate, and the specific benefits they will gain. 

Don`t trust political leaders who represent their own interests rather than those of the people. People from the Kavango regions should not allow politicians to use and abuse them by voting blindly. 

It is intolerable that natives in these two regions continue to vote irrationally in return for slights or destitution. They need to reflect on whether they will continue to accept labels that denigrate them, like "poorest”, “voting cows,” and “illiterate people” who only deserve menial jobs.

Please, next time, vote with discernment.

*Faustinus Shikukutu is an educationist with more than 25 years of teaching experience, and is a resident of Kavango East region. All views expressed in this piece are my own.