Namibians from all walks of life – armed with only a pencil, ballot paper, courage and determination – have made their voices heard through the voting booth.
Yesterday, the country went to the polls in what many people describe as a momentous election which could redefine the nation’s trajectory.
Against a backdrop of orderly queues and a palpable sense of purpose, voters cast their ballots to determine the country’s next President and 96 members of the National Assembly.
The presidential candidates, each with their own unique message and style, painted a vivid tapestry of Namibia’s hopes, frustrations and aspirations.
From Shandumbala to the informal settlements on the hilltops of Kilimandjaro on the outskirts of Namibia’s economic epicentre Windhoek, to the salt pans of the Oshana, Namibians exercised their constitutional right.
In the Khomas region, the New Era crews touched base with some candidates, exclusively fresh from the voting booths.
‘Johny Walker’
Known affectionately as ‘Kandjafa’ or ‘Johny Walker’ among the electorate, Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) leader Panduleni Itula began his day with a symbolic walk from his home in Shandumbala to the Mandume Primary School in the Katutura East constituency, where he cast his vote.
He could be seen smiling and engaging voters along the way.
“Today, the nation has come out in large numbers to demonstrate their democratic rights. Namibia has been peaceful since independence, and it’s crucial for us to maintain that. Generations to come will appreciate how we upheld our democracy. I want to thank all political parties and their supporters for conducting a peaceful campaign,” Itula said before heading to the ballot box.
Change
Meanwhile, charismatic Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) president McHenry Venaani cast his vote in the Kilimandjaro informal settlement, choosing one of the least- developed locations to symbolically mark this pivotal day.
Staying true to his campaign ethos of aligning with the poor, he expressed concern about the voting process and the living conditions of Namibians in underserved communities.
“The process for me went very slowly because of the privilege of standing before other people, something I don’t appreciate very much,” Venaani told New Era.
“But be that as it may, I see a number of voters standing for a very long time in the queues. The question that you want to ask is, Tate Venaani, why are you here at Kilimandjaro? It has been my political culture to look at those who are downtrodden,” he said.
He pointed out the stark challenges faced by the community. “This is one of the worst stations in terms of infrastructure. There’s no electricity here. At night, I will also come here to see whether the electricity is working. So, I came. I chose the least-privileged voting station to come and see how people are being accommodated at this station. That’s the very reason.”
Venaani’s vision for change was emphatically clear: “I’m pressuring for change, pushing Namibia to change. This country can bring about a change. Botswana has done it, South Africa has done it, and Mauritius has done it. Namibia can also bring about change. If you go around these places, people have no water, people have no houses, and people have no electricity for 34 years. And the rich are getting richer, and the poor are getting poorer.”
Cometh NNN
Dawned in her famous doek and African attire, the forever calm and composed Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah struck a confident tone from the Emma Hoogenhout Primary School in the Windhoek West constituency.
The veteran politician framed Namibia’s burgeoning oil and gas sector as a potential game-changer.
“Namibia’s resources belong to Namibians, and must be shared prudently while maintaining an investor-friendly environment,” she said.
Nandi-Ndaiwath called for foreign direct investment, but insisted on laws which balance benefits for Namibians and investors alike. She was accompanied by her husband, retired army general Denga Ndaitwah, and Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa.
Shortly after casting her vote, the optimistic Nandi-Ndaitwah told journalists she wanted to encourage eligible voters to go out in their numbers and vote.
“This is meant to allow each and every voter to make their way to the nearest polling station. As the vice president, I am also echoing what the president has said by calling on all Namibians who have registered to come out in their numbers and vote. It is not just your constitutional responsibility; it is also your national responsibility, because naturally, you have a responsibility over yourself and others around you.
Through voting, you are making your voice heard, and you will have an impact on your life and the life of every Namibian for the next five years,” Nandi-Ndaitwah stated.
Orange commander
Meanwhile, the Leader of the Landless People’s Movement (LPM), Bernadus Swartbooi, cast his vote at the University of Namibia’s Khomasdal campus, where he commended the enthusiastic turnout of young voters, but did not hold back on his disapproval of the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN).
“There’s an unacceptable level of incompetence here,” he stressed, his frustration palpable.
“Many voters, particularly the elderly, have been forced to complete Form 27 because of discrepancies with their voter’s card numbers. This delay not only prolongs the process, but undermines trust in the system. It’s chaotic, but credit to the people, they remain peaceful, orderly and committed to exercising their democratic rights,” he said angrily.
Swartbooi also criticised the ECN’s lack of transparency, citing the absence of a press conference the evening prior to the election to address public concerns.
“This pattern of dodging accountability is a recurring issue. The ECN’s history in litigation is troubling; they rarely inspire confidence. When processes like this falter, it reinforces the idea that elections in Africa are too often skewed in favour of those with the most resources and influence,” he added.
His critique did not stop with domestic institutions, questioning the impartiality of international observers, and singling out the African Union (AU) mission.
“How can we trust an observer mission led by someone tied to authoritarian regimes? The head of the AU mission is a former vice president of Uganda and a close advisor to Yoweri Museveni, a leader notorious for suppressing opposition. It’s a mockery of the democratic process when you bring in compromised figures to oversee elections,” added Swaartboi.
Despite his pointed criticism, he expressed hope for Namibia’s voters.
“I am deeply proud of the young people showing up in large numbers. They are the backbone of this democracy, and the future of our nation. However, the environment they’re voting in is neither free nor fair. It is already compromised, already rigged. The ruling elite continues to exploit State resources and manipulate the playing field”.
“But,” he added, his tone resolute, “we will do everything within our power to protect what little semblance of fairness remains.”