Windhoek: Political commentator Ben Mulongeni has attributed Swapo's success in the Regional Councils and Local Authorities Elections to the influence of their president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, particularly her efforts concerning natural resources and economic policies.
According to Namibia Press Agency, early poll results indicated that Swapo is poised to regain control of territories lost during the 2020 regional councils and local authorities elections, with several party leaders expressing confidence in winning back key areas. In the last elections, Swapo lost control of 30 councils, particularly in major economic centres like Windhoek, Walvis Bay, and Swakopmund, as well as in the southern towns of Lderitz, Mariental, and Keetmanshoop. For the past five years, these areas have been governed by the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) and the Landless People's Movement (LPM), occasionally resulting in coalition governments among opposition parties.
Results released by the Electoral Commission of Namibia on Friday showed that Swapo is leading the race and has already secured the most seats in the first verified local authority and constituency results. Mulongeni said Nandi-Ndaitwah's emphasis on the creative industry and youth initiatives is one of the key highlights that voters are basing their vote on.
'Swapo is winning because of President Nandi-Ndaitwah's policies, specifically her policies on economic transformation and ideologies when she announced that Namibia's natural resources should remain Namibian,' he said. He added that most of the voters who participated in the elections are elderly people, and it seems they have entrusted their votes to Swapo because of Nandi-Ndaitwah's promises, particularly regarding pension grants and basic needs. Meanwhile, the youth believe in the concepts of job creation, youth funding, and infrastructure development as promised by the president.
'She shifted from the notion of 'oil is not ours' while considering the creative industry through grants to youths, allowing them to take part in arts and cultural programmes,' he added.