WINDHOEK: The DTA of Namibia is one of the few political parties in Namibia that is not pre-occupied with ethnic or tribal bias dynamics, claims a senior member of its Youth League (YL).
YL Secretary of the Khomas Regional Committee, Unotjari Katjijova said this in an interview with Nampa here on Monday to provide feedback on the just-ended Democrat Union of Africa (DUA) Youth School programme, which took place on 11 and 12 August in the capital.
The Youth School was organised by the DTA of Namibia, under the auspices of the DUA, and the Conservative Party from the United Kingdom (UK) through the Westminster Foundation for Democracy.
The DUA Youth School is geared primarily towards strengthening opposition parties in different African countries in different aspects of politics.
Opposition parties from countries such as Ghana, Tanzania, Seychelles, Mozambique, Lesotho, Liberia, Uganda, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast and Namibia attended the session.
Katjijova said the first thing the delegates from the youth leagues were asked to do is highlight some of the current strengths and weaknesses of their respective mother parties.
“What emanated from the DTA delegates as strengths is that it continues to be one of the few political parties in Namibia that is not pre-occupied with meager ethnic or tribal bias dynamics and that it incorporates all citizens of this great republic as one,” he said.
Another strength is that the DTA continues to advocate for zero tolerance for corruption, separation of power in judiciary and executive institutions, said Katjijova.
“Other key aspects gained from the workshop are also the importance of policy formation. We learned that the depth in language and media coverage is all vital elements in getting a party’s message across. This message may often be a message of change and/or a call for radical paradigm shifts,” he said.
The DTA YL Secretary for Khomas further said participants were also tested to come up with campaign plans, and most importantly, to understand that when campaigning, there are two groups of users – core party loyalists and intended new voters.
“It was a lovely workshop, I got to learn how other opposition parties operate in their countries and I’m sure I will use the opportunity I received to better my party’s position, particularly in our country’s socio-economic dynamics,” Katjijova said.