Presidential campaigns gradually gather momentum in Namibia

With weeks remaining before Namibians cast their votes late in November 2009, various political parties participating in the poll have upped their stakes energetically campaigning across the vast but sparsely populated country.

Leading the pack in teams of both resources and financial muscle is the ruling SWAPO Party which has deployed what is seen as a formidable team that campaigns across the country disseminating messages to the electorate from a colourful, 41-pagepolitical manifesto.

In his message, incumbent President Hifikepunye Pohamba who is also the head of SWAPO Party, said the creation of productive jobs remains a high priority of his party.

Pohamba said as growing the economy is a prerequisite to create much needed jobs in a country where unemployment stands at 40 percent, he promised that "The SWAPO Party will ensure that investments are made and promoted in agriculture, mining, fisheries, manufacturing, tourism, finance, information technology and construction.

"The SWAPo Party remains committed to the building of a vibrant economy and bringing about economic empowerment and greater prosperity for all," Pohamba vowed.

He also emphasized that since the ruling SWAPO Party regards rural development as critical in its development agenda, therefore new and existing programs will be developed.

Pohamba further stressed that if given another five-year mandate, his party will ensure more houses are built for the electorate while providing access to potable water, the construction of feeder roads and other amenities will be developed countrywide.

The SWAPO Party said greater emphasis will continue to be placed on the development, maintenance and rehabilitation of infrastructure such as housing and the supply of water.

One of the opposition parties contesting for both the presidency and parliament the Rally for Development and Progress (RDP) led by former SWAPO member Hidipo Hamutenya said "The provision of affordable, accessible and quality health care is at the core" of its social agenda as it said health services in Namibia "have seriously deteriorated."

The RDP party which is widely seen as a dark horse in the crowded political race with a record 14 contesting parties said if elected into power it will strive to create a conducive environment for investment while at the same time reforming and updating the Investment Act that it said has become outdated resulting in a stagnant economy.

It further said it will restructure Air Namibia, the national carrier that largely depends on state-funds and has had numerous bailouts in the face of stiffer competition.

The RDP also said it will provide no less than 30, 000 new houses each year to remedy the housing backlog while also downsizing Cabinet and the bloated civil service.

And the Democratic Turnhalle Alliance (DTA) whose leader is Kaatutire Kaura promised that if the party ascends to government it will strive to improve teachers' performance by improving their salaries.

The DTA said it will address the issue of unemployment and poverty by expanding vocational training while spending more money to upgrade clinics and hospitals.

It said it will promote financial prudence and stop inefficiency in parastatals by privatizing non-performing State-owned companies to stop the waste of public spending.

Another opposition party the National Unity Democratic Organization (NUDO) headed by Kuaima Riruako said education is the key to freeing people from poverty and as such it will pump more money into the salaries of teachers to ensure they are well motivated.

NUDO wants to provide education that would free Namibians from poverty.

It further said it will give priority to the development of unfertilized land in communal areas and it promises to assist peasant farmers with soft loans to develop their farms.

As there are always black sheep in every flock there have been very few incidents of politically motivated disturbances since the various political parties hit the campaign trail and many political leaders have told their devotees to desist from acts of violence.

Slightly over 1 million out of the country's population of over 2 million are expected to vote in both the presidential and National Assembly polls on Nov. 27 and 28, 2009.

All People's Party (APP) led by Ignatius Shixuameni, a former deputy minister, wants to rescue at least 100, 000 poor households of the poverty trap.

APP said it will ensure that all mining, fishing and financial companies operating in Namibia give no less than 40 percent of their shares to indigenous Namibians.

The Congress of Democrats (CoD) led by Ben Ulenga is a minority opposition party that is expected to do well though not on the same scale as the SWAPO Party.

Source:Xinhua