‘Namibia lacks visionary leadership’

THE Namibian (TN) recently spoke to Landless People’s Movement (LPM) candidate Joseph Isaacks (JI), who is contesting for a Keetmanshoop Urban constituency seat in the upcoming regional council and local authority elections.

I am also known as ‘Bennie Killo’ or ‘BK’ and am a Namibian from Keetmanshoop, Tseiblaagte and Donkerhoek. I was born and raised during the dark apartheid days and became aware of Swapo and the liberation struggle. My political convictions drove me to resist the military training the young men of my days were called up for. After independence I continued to be a Swapo member, but realised the party fails the principles of equality, justice for all and transparency. I later joined the Congress of Democrats, and am now a member of the Landless People’s Movement.

I am a community activist and always ready to defend the rights of the vulnerable. For example, I was against preferential treatment of the so-called struggle kids who were appointed in government positions in 2018, while our unemployed youth were not considered. This is what I sacrificed for our youth – to be imprisoned. The ongoing trial, involving myself and some Keetmanshoop young people, is a clear indication of my support of the youth.

[Isaacks was arrested with a group of 13 young people for protesting against the appointment of ‘struggle’ kids at former //Kharas governor Lucia Basson’s office. The group has been granted bail and is awaiting trial.]

Some of us have been sidelined for too long, permitting others to rule over us. The present political roadmap and direction under Swapo is detrimental and corrupt […]. We lack visionary leadership in Namibia. I hate the current divide-and-rule system of Swapo comrades. I am a leader and I know how to lead people to success.

My primary goal, in line with the LPM manifesto, is to bring services to the people. This will be done via a variety of programmes and institutions. A constituency development committee will be established, comprising leaders in all spheres. This body will be crucial in the execution of our programmes and plans […] and members of tender boards will have strict directives to prioritise local labour for government projects.

My office will work closely with the Keetmanshoop Municipal Council to assist our elderly with the extension of paypoints, to reduce or eliminate rates and taxes, and to write off water bills. Shebeens will be governed by strict legislation. Women and youth empowerment will be a matter of urgency and will be done through small and medium initiatives. Job creation is of great concern, and I will urgently seek opportunities to create employment for the residents in my constituency.

Irrigation schemes, crop production, entrepreneurial projects and road infrastructure will address the unemployment situation.

I will engage relevant stakeholders on the establishment of safe houses for sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) victims and on the effective rehabilitation of offenders.

I am from a strong religious background and do not shy away from addressing the fundamental evils of society, such as SGBV, alcohol and drug abuse, etc. I have the right motive for serving my people, I am humble, honest, and easily accessible. I am conversant with the circumstances of our community and have the best interests of this constituency and the people at heart.

The voters will vote for me because I am one of them, their sorrows are my sorrows, their pain is my pain.

They know how much I suffered when I gave up my established and comfortable life and joined them in the struggle against the injustices inflicted on them, inequality and tribalism. I was jailed with them and forfeited my freedom and am awaiting trial with them.

Crime is the biggest challenge ever. Corruption among those entrusted with state resources remains the number one crime in Namibia, and […] most of these crimes remain unreported. SGBV is number two on the list, as our vulnerable groups remain unprotected by law-enforcement agencies. Number three is alcohol and drug abuse among our youth.

Law-enforcement agencies must be sharpened, more community police programmes should be introduced, and police involvement in community matters should be prioritised.

Exclusivity, selective justice and politically based preference will not be tolerated.

I would work closely with the established youth forum and create opportunities, platforms, and programmes to enhance skills development. Entertainment and sport activities will be the cornerstone to extract skills and potential. I would work closely with relevant stakeholders to have Keetmanshoop constituency sport club uncover skills.

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