Swapo unveiled its 2024 election manifesto at the weekend, signalling a renewed commitment to the nation’s development and unity.

The manifesto, themed ‘Unity in Diversity: Natural Resources Beneficiation and Youth Empowerment for Sustainable Development,’ builds on the foundation laid by the party’s 2020-2025 manifesto.

The country’s Vice President, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who is Swapo’s presidential candidate, launched the manifesto at the Sam Nujoma Stadium on Saturday. The event was a vibrant celebration, featuring entertainment from local artist Tate Buti among others, and renowned South African DJ and musician, Mr KG, who drew a large crowd of all ages. The stadium was packed to capacity, with an electric atmosphere as Ndilimani performed some of their crowd favourites and

 energising supporters before the manifesto launch. Outside the stadium, a truck unloaded food packs as attendees eagerly awaited their lunch and soft drinks.  Party supporters wore bright blue, red, and green attire with elaborate designs. Swapo secretary general, Sophia Shaningwa, assured members of the party’s readiness to win the November elections.

“I want to make sure you get this message. The Electoral Commission of Namibia has announced that this year’s results will be verified only at the head office rather than by regional officers as was the case in the past. Therefore, only the results announced from the headquarters will be authentic. We welcome this new development and are pleased with it,” she said before introducing the keynote speaker, Nandi-Ndaitwah.

The Vice President opened her address by acknowledging the historical importance of the moment.

She highlighted that the manifesto represented the party’s social contract with the people of Namibia, outlining its vision and ideals for the country’s future.

“The 2025-2030 election manifesto is premised on the Swapo party political programme of 1989 that committed to socio-politically and economically empower all Namibians, irrespective of race, gender and class,” she stated. During her speech, she reflected on Swapo’s achievements, including the party’s role in ensuring Namibia’s stability and progress since its independence. “Swapo has successfully ensured a peaceful constitutional democracy by holding regular free and fair elections supported by the implementation of smooth leadership transitions in the party and the government,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.

The party’s efforts in economic stabilisation were also emphasised. “The proportion of the population living below the poverty line dropped from 69.3% in 1990 to 17.4% in 2023,” she pointed out. Infrastructure development was another highlight for Nandi-Ndaitwah, with investments in roads, ports, energy generation, and telecommunications more than doubling since 1990. Nandi-Ndaitwah also underscored the party’s commitment to education, healthcare, and reducing income inequality. The 2024 manifesto was grounded in the theme of ‘Inclusive Development and Shared Prosperity,’ outlining Swapo’s vision to foster economic growth, youth empowerment, healthcare, and social welfare.

It lays out a broad framework for national development, focussing on the economy, infrastructure, youth, education, health, land delivery and climate change.

The manifesto promises improved infrastructure development, more equitable resource distribution, and a stronger emphasis on education and health services.

It builds on the previous goals but introduces more detailed and strategic initiatives, particularly in areas like industrialisation, natural resource management, and youth empowerment. The 2024 document emphasises the establishment of special economic zones (SEZs) and promoting green industrialisation.

“Our election manifesto is instructive about natural resource beneficiation through value addition and the protection of our natural resources,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.

Economic growth 

The 2024 manifesto outlines a path towards industrialisation. It emphasises the development of SEZs and the promotion of local and regional value chains. “Swapo’s commitments for 2025-2030 include possibilities for economic growth for a prosperous and industrialised economy where the Swapo-led government will promote industrialisation activities in targeted sectors,” she explained. These sectors include agro- and fish processing, steel manufacturing, chemical production, and automotive production, to create employment and address economic exclusion and inequality.

The Vice President stressed the importance of natural resource beneficiation, aimed at leveraging Namibia’s mineral wealth to fuel industrialisation. “This will allow us to create more jobs for Namibians and contribute significantly to our economic growth, sustainable development, and to bring about prosperity for all,” she emphasised.

Job creation

The manifesto details specific initiatives to create mass employment opportunities.

“We commit to allocating a sizable budget of more than N$85 billion over the next five years to priority projects which will create mass employment opportunities for unemployed Namibians,” Nandi-Ndaitwah declared.

This budget includes investments in various sectors such as sports infrastructure, agriculture, and the creative industries.

The party also plans to expand skills development and vocational training to prepare the youth for the demands of a modern economy. “We believe our national developmental goals, which may still be outstanding, will be achieved,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.

Beneficiation

A notable shift in the 2024-2030 manifesto is the explicit focus on natural resource management and beneficiation.

The Vice President highlighted the importance of adding value to the country’s mineral resources, ensuring that the benefits are felt by all Namibians. “Natural resource beneficiation highlights the desire by the Swapo party to ensure that our natural resources can benefit all Namibians through value addition,” she noted. This focus on natural resource management reflects a strategic move towards ensuring Namibia derives maximum benefit from its natural wealth. The manifesto outlines plans to promote local participation, attract foreign direct investment, and implement policies to support social development.

The mining sector in particular is set to play a critical role in this strategy.

“Our election manifesto is instructive about natural resources beneficiation through value addition and the protection of our natural resources,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.

Sustainable development

Sustainable development is a recurring theme in the 2024 manifesto, with specific commitments to agriculture, water, energy, and infrastructure.

The party recognises that food security is the backbone of any nation and commits to transforming the agricultural sector.

“Transformation of the agricultural sector must be the foundation of Namibia’s economy,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said. The manifesto includes plans to enhance water supply and security, particularly for small-scale rural farmers.

In terms of energy and infrastructure development, the manifesto commits to expanding the country’s energy generation capacity, with a focus on renewable energy sources. It also outlines plans for the development of logistics infrastructure, including ports, airports, and railways, to facilitate trade and support Namibia’s ambition to become a logistics hub in the region.

Better living standards

The party’s 2024 manifesto prioritises a more structured approach to tackling the poor living standards of the majority of Namibians.

It commits to the expansion of healthcare infrastructure, the improvement of social services, and the implementation of the universal health coverage (UHC) law.

“We pledge to improve our national living standards by ensuring widespread access to quality health and social services,” Nandi-Ndaitwah promised. In addition, the manifesto addresses the long-standing issue of land delivery and housing. It proposes a comprehensive plan to accelerate land allocation, land acquisition, and housing provision to address the challenges of urban development. “We pledge to address housing challenges, improve sanitation, and promote sustainable urban development for a healthy, safe, and more liveable environment,” Nandi-Ndaitwah added.

No corruption

Throughout her speech, Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasised the importance of unity and accountability in achieving the goals set out in the manifesto.

“Unity in diversity highlights the power we have as a collective despite our different cultures, origins, races, and economic status,” she said. She urged all Namibians to work together to build a prosperous future.

The manifesto also takes a strong stance against corruption, which Nandi-Ndaitwah described as a “scourge on our nation”.

She reiterated the party’s commitment to maintaining integrity and serving the people with dedication. “Zero Tolerance!” she declared, emphasising that public service and responsibility would not be business as usual.

Vision 2030

To ensure that the manifesto’s promises are fulfilled, Nandi-Ndaitwah announced plans to develop an implementation action plan (AP) and a monitoring and evaluation plan (M&EP). “We must be resolute and united in all we do for our beloved country, Namibia, the Land of the Brave,” Nandi-Ndaitwah concluded, calling on all party members to use the manifesto as their guide during the campaign. Swapo member and newly-elected parliamentary candidate Christine Haindaka expressed satisfaction with the party’s manifesto, highlighting its inclusivity and alignment with the people’s needs.

Kunene’s governor, Marius Sheya, said the Swapo manifesto addresses the fundamental issues affecting the country’s youth. Swapo’s information and mobilisation secretary Hilma Nikanor described the manifesto as a contract between the party and the people, calling the launch a success.

Swapo member Hamutenya Nghifikwa said the manifesto launch provides clear directives for members assigned to the next government.

Seasoned academic and Swapo supporter, Professor Joseph Diescho expressed approval of the manifesto’s content and presentation, saying he liked what he saw. Trade minister Lucia Ipumbu commended the manifesto for addressing the beneficiation of Namibia’s mineral resources. Home affairs minister Albert Kawana expressed satisfaction, noting that the manifesto addresses the needs of both youth and elders and promotes national unity.

Member of Parliament Royal /Ui/o/oo encouraged Namibians to thoroughly analyse and understand the manifesto now that it has been launched. Education minister Anna Nghipondoka said the manifesto aligns with the people’s aspirations and covers necessary actions. She stressed the importance of careful reading and collective implementation, as it caters to all Namibians, not just Swapo supporters. Swapo’s deputy secretary general Uahekua Herunga welcomed the overwhelming turnout at the launch, saying it showed strong public engagement. He urged Namibians to familiarise themselves with the manifesto’s content before the election.