Eveline de Klerk
Isabel Bento
SWAKOPMUND – United Democratic Front (UDF) president Hendrik Gaobaeb emphasised his party’s vision for transforming Namibia through equitable land redistribution, job-creation and empowerment initiatives for the nation’s youth.
In his address at the party’s Erongo regional star rally in Swakopmund on Saturday, he highlighted the importance of land reform, promising that under UDF governance, unoccupied land would be placed under State custodianship and redistributed equitably.
He pledged to transform Swakopmund’s DRC informal settlement into dignified housing communities, expressing deep concern over shack fires that have claimed lives.
“It is time to give our people dignified and safe shelter. Human lives are precious, and we cannot watch our people die painful deaths when their homes burn down,” he said.
With Namibia’s high unemployment rate, he committed to creating jobs through industrialisation, with a particular focus on adding value to raw materials.
“The high rate of unemployment will be curbed through deliberate economic interventions. My administration will prioritise investment in industrialisation to ensure that jobs are created,” he declared.
Youth empowerment was also a focal point in Gaobaeb’s vision, acknowledging that youth form the majority of Namibia’s population.
He promised targeted initiatives to tackle the youth unemployment crisis.
The party’s manifesto proposed small and medium enterprise startup funding for young entrepreneurs, agricultural grants to promote food security, as well support for emerging industries to absorb graduates into the job market.
He outlined his vision to address poverty, inequality and high unemployment levels, emphasising that Namibia’s wealth in mineral resources should benefit all Namibians – not just a privileged few.
“Namibia is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of mineral resources, yet we experience some of the highest levels of poverty. The root cause of this is mismanagement, corruption, and poor governance,” he stated.
The party is committed to tackling unemployment, promoting job creation through industrialisation and adding value to local resources. Gaobaeb stressed that economic transformation must include creating local jobs through the establishment of manufacturing and processing plants.
“Under my leadership, industrialisation will receive the necessary investment to generate jobs,” he affirmed.
“It’s unacceptable that even highly qualified Namibians are struggling to find employment. Vote for me as your president. Together, we can create a Namibia that values every citizen and builds a prosperous future for all,” he appealed.
Gaobaeb expressed dissatisfaction with Namibia’s significant economic inequality, noting that regional disparities in living standards and development are severe.
As a solution, UDF proposed a basic income grant of N$500 monthly to unemployed Namibians aged between 18 and 59.
He pledged that a UDF government would implement a functional decentralisation policy, allowing local constituencies to control development budgets and ensuring all regions have fair access to resources and growth opportunities.
Education
Furthermore, the party aims to reform education and address poverty to tackle economic disparity across Namibia.
Continuing his address, Gaobaeb urged Namibians to back the party’s commitment to social equity and poverty alleviation.
“Under UDF, all mining deals will be renegotiated so that the people of Namibia benefit directly from their resources,” he told supporters.
Another cornerstone of the UDF manifesto is educational reform.
The party pledged to make education free from pre-primary to doctorate level, emphasising the importance of equal opportunity for every Namibian child.
“Education is the greatest equaliser. Under UDF, schools with hostels will be built to support children from disadvantaged backgrounds, ensuring they receive three quality meals daily so they can focus on their studies,” he said.
-Nampa