By Mathias Haufiku

WINDHOEK – Job creation, economic growth, health, education and the resettlement of the landless are topics expected to feature in the manifestos of  political parties contesting the elections this year.

Although most of the parties are yet to set exact manifesto launching dates, most parties have indicated they will launch their manifestos between now and September. A manifesto is a public declaration of principles, policies or intentions usually on housing, food security, health, education, crime, trade and investment, among others. It also explicitly states policy measures the party intends to implement once it comes to power along with its solutions for issues facing the country and the electorate. 

So far it seems Swanu of Namibia and the Republican Party will lead the manifesto launches, since both parties have already confirmed they will launch their manifestos this month. 

While addressing a political gathering in Windhoek last month, Swanu indicated it would launch its election manifesto within three weeks. Party president Usutuaije Maamberua said the party would focus on social issues such as land, wealth creation, social justice, education and national unity.

DTA of Namibia secretary general Vincent Kanyetu told New Era on Monday that the party intends to launch its political manifesto next month, but did not provide an exact date for the planned launch. 

Republican Party president Henk Mudge said his party planned to have a two-day party congress next week. “We are looking at launching our election manifesto on Saturday [June 21] after the congress,” Mudge said. 

Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) secretary for information Jeremiah Nambinga said the party leadership would meet this coming Saturday to decide on a date on which the party’s election manifesto would be launched.

All People’s Party (APP) leader Ignatius Shixwameni did not provide a date for the launch of their manifesto. 

“We have not yet set a date. We will talk about it at our national bureau meeting this month-end and set a date for the convention to select the party list, as well as the day for the launch of the manifesto,” said Shixwameni. 

The Congress of Democrats (CoD) said it was way too early to talk about manifesto launches considering the fact that President Hifikepunye Pohamba was yet to declare the official polling dates. 

CoD president Ben Ulenga said their launch would take place between the end of August and early September. “We have people working on the manifesto and even the party leadership has not yet looked at it. This year’s manifesto will not be something new, because we have not moved away from the principles of our creation,” he said. 

He said the CoD’s manifesto would take into consideration the new political atmosphere in the country, achievements of the nation and what has not been achieved.  

Swapo Party secretary general Nangolo Mbumba also did not provide a manifesto launch date. “The day I know the date I will announce it, I will be the happiest when the time comes for that announcement,” said Mbumba.