Supporting Swapo Indirectly
ALTERNATIVE parties that contested the Tsumkwe by-election have again shown that they would rather choose Swapo to rule than allow Nudo [National Unity Democratic Organisation] to take over that particular constituency.
If one looks at the performance of Nudo, one could see that it is the only party that has the ability to unseat Swapo in that constituency and possibly in the Otjozondjupa Region. The other parties in fact contest the election to ensure that Nudo does not win. The man in the street cannot be blamed for this. However the leadership of those parties is to be blamed and should explain why they have chosen to mislead the electorate and inhabitants in that constituency.
The results show that the majority of the inhabitants preferred not to be ruled by Swapo, but they were sold out by some opposition politicians. What now?
The time has come that we should keep leaders accountable for their failures. Their failure to rally behind the only party that could get rid of Swapo means that more misery and empty promises will face the inhabitants of the constituency for the next three years.
The sooner alternative parties realise that they should work together to oust Swapo, the better. It however seems that this will not happen in this country and we therefore support Swapo indirectly. A government is only as good as the opposition?
Alternative parties should start working together now. Go into the 2014 elections, re-visit the results of that election and make sure they contest regional elections to come out as winners and not as “partakers” in support of dividing opposition votes.
Whether we believe it or not, leadership of alternative parties, their attitude, inability to negotiate and their hunger for the top positions, will allow Swapo a chance to take the next term. Once again, alternative parties are also guilty for the misery we find ourselves in, just remind yourselves of the Sibbinda and Tsumkwe by-elections. It is not over yet. They will do the same in the Otjinene by-election.
Leaders of some alternative parties just do not want to learn, or is there another reason for their stubbornness and failure to listen and plan properly?
Jan van Wyk
By email