LIZAULI – One of the Swapo members likely to become an MP, James Sankwasa, says Swapo was formed to liberate the people of Namibia.
He was among the people who faired relatively well during the Swapo Party electoral college, where he emerged number 45 on the elective list.
Speaking at a Swapo rally on Sunday at Lizauli – 140 km west of Katima Mulilo – Sankwasa said that since independence Swapo has continued bringing development to all the regions.
Sankwasa singled out the construction of roads, rural electrification and education as some of the major developments that the Swapo-led government has achieved in the Zambezi Region.
“Swapo came because of the suffering of the people and liberated this country … What did the opposition give you? Nothing, because they are also begging money from government,” he said.
Sankwasa noted that given the devastating result of last year’s drought, government came up with the drought relief programme meant to help farmers cope with the calamity.
He however stated government has in the meantime suspended the relief programme because it has been accused by the opposition of using the programme to buy votes.
“The opposition has accused Swapo of buying votes with the drought relief programme. Therefore, in Swapo we have decided to suspend this programme to create a fair environment so that the opposition do not have an excuse,” he stated.
He accused the minority parties of spreading falsehoods when they claim Swapo has lost its vision.
“The opposition is lying to people that Swapo has lost its vision. These are only disgruntled people who could not get positions in Swapo and therefore they have vowed to destroy the good reputation of the party,” he said.
Sankwasa specifically spoke of a clinic that is envisaged in the area besides other projects that have been completed.
“A clinic for this area has already been approved. All the schools will be electrified up to 2016. Free education will be extended to secondary level. We also have conservancies generating lots of money for our communities in this area. Solar panels have already been provided to our elderly, just behind me there’s a tarred road known as MR125. So let’s appreciate what Swapo is doing for us and vote for Swapo,” said Sankwasa.
He condemned the escalation of gender-based violence, adding that it is a result of the erosion of cultural values.
“Gender-based violence should be stopped. Let’s stick to our culture of respecting one another. In the past people used to go through initiation ceremonies to prepare them for adulthood. We have lost all that. In Swapo we want to instil cultural values,” noted Sankwasa.
Swapo continues to take care of the elderly and the youth and once given another mandate it would amplify its programmes, he said.
“The old age pension will be increased on an annual basis because Swapo is aware that the cost of living is rising. Swapo is aware of unemployment among the youth and many projects have been implemented and will be implemented to address this problem. But we would also want commitment from our people. Let’s vote for Swapo in order to realise all this.”
Sankwasa also joined the growing chorus in condemnation of the so-called “Caprivi Concerned Group” who are advocating the boycott of elections.
“We heard that they held a meeting at Sibbinda, telling people not to vote because we’re Caprivians. That name does not even exist anymore. The name of the region is Zambezi because we draw our livelihood from the Zambezi River. Caprivi is a German name and they colonised us. If these people claim to be Caprivians why can’t they leave their government jobs first? They are just hypocrites,” he said.
According to Sankwasa preventing someone from voting constitutes a crime but the police are aware of their subversive activities.
“They often talk about secession. The police are already aware. They even used a fake police letter to allow them to do their meetings. If they come to your area to hold a meeting, just call the police. We should not betray the aspirations of heroes such as Judea Lyabolloma who fought for unity in this country,” stated Sankwasa.