Have the courage to vote for change: HH

OFFICIALLY ending a campaign trail marred by intimidation and violence, Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) President Hidipo Hamutenya on Saturday called for voters to ‘throw off the yoke of fear, to stand up and be courageous and vote according to their conscience’.

Celebrating exactly two years and four days since the RDP was formed, Hamutenya called on Namibians to stop betraying the dreams of the country’s liberation heroes who fought for a better life for everybody.’The dreams of these heroes and your dreams are greater than your fears,’ the RDP leader told the crowd in Katutura.’Swapo is worried about losing the election.’I am worried about the children, the unemployed brothers and the young men on street corners, waiting for someone to pick them up and give them odd jobs,’ Hamutenya said.’I am worried about the alcohol abuse and shebeens being built next to schools.’I am worried about my people living without shelter while the Pohamba government wants to erect toilets along the highways,’ he said.Voters should think of these people when they queue to cast their ballots next Friday and Saturday, Hamutenya said.The RDP currently has 390 000 registered members, he said, calling on supporters to bring family and friends along to the poling stations to vote for change ‘after 20 years of abuse of power and failure to deliver on promises’.Focusing on poverty, education and corruption, Hamutenya asked the crowd whether it wouldn’t be a sin to elect the current Government for another five years.The coming election is not about the RDP or Swapo – it is about the future of Namibia and the children of Namibia, Hamutenya said.The rally was attended by several election observers from the Southern African Development Community (SADC), political and human rights observers, and a strong Police presence.