Windhoek: Namibia’s oldest political party, Swanu, continues to advocate for the ‘return of land’ ahead of the Regional Council and Local Authority elections, in which they are participating in three constituencies and six local authorities. Founded over 60 years ago by Fanuel Kozonguizi, the democratic socialist party has struggled to garner sufficient votes to establish its dominance in the Namibian political landscape. Since the 2004 regional council elections, which were won by their candidate Jeremiah Ndjoze in the Otjombinde constituency, Swanu has not succeeded in winning any subsequent elections.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the party’s secretary general, Wendy Christian, believes that Swanu will, this time, emerge victorious in some constituencies and local authorities. Christian told Nampa on Monday that they have filtered more candidates and that the same candidates have been on the ground since the conclusion of last year’s presidential and national elections. She expressed confidence that they will make an impact and win some of the constituencies and seats on the local authority councils.
Despite being affected by internal conflicts that nearly resulted in a coalition with the National Unity Democratic Organisation, Swanu succeeded in regrouping and recovering from those setbacks, conducting internal elections in preparation for the upcoming elections. Christian stated that should they win, they would prioritize land among other key developmental agendas, stressing that it was time for the land lost during the colonial period to be returned to the descendants of those who were dispossessed, asserting that people should be resettled on their ancestral land.
Swanu continues to preach the message of returning land to its rightful owners, with Christian noting that 35 years into independence, the pace of land distribution and occupation remains disappointing. The party has nominated three candidates for the regional council elections: Forah Kotjinjo is competing for Katutura Central, Alfred Tjiroze for Gobabis, and Kuekujee Kazapua for the Otjombinde constituency. Swanu will also vie for Windhoek, Otjinene, Gobabis, Okakarara, and Otjiwarongo, including Okahandja local authorities.
Moreover, Christian stated that Swanu has featured the young generation at the forefront, emphasizing their commitment to grooming young leaders. “That’s how serious Swanu was about grooming young leaders. The same young leaders push the agenda of emancipation of the generations to come,” she remarked.