New party launched in South

A PARTY which says it will address the plight of minorities in certain parts of the country was launched at Keetmanshoop on Friday.

The Democratic Party of Namibia (DPN), an initiative of the Nama people in the South, plans to field candidates in next year’s elections. The interim President of DPN, Salomon Dawid Isaacs, said although the formation of party was an initiative of the Nama people, it was open to all ethnic groups.Isaaks said the Swapo-led Government had failed to honour the Namibian Constitution as it had altered the Constitution to serve the interests of one individual.Isaacs claimed that the current Government only served the interests of the majority ethnic group, although the Constitution clearly stipulated that all citizens irrespective of race, religion or ethnicity were equal before the law and that the rights of all citizens would be protected.”We [minority groups] don’t want to be treated as subversive people as we’re not second-class to any other ethnic group,” he said angrily.”All of us were oppressed by the colonial regime, but only the majority ethnic group individuals are benefiting the country’s wealth while some us are living in abject poverty,” he added.Isaacs further slammed the Swapo-led Government for failing to account for those who died in the Lubango dungeons after they went into exile to fight to end colonial oppression.The party for now would only mobilise voters in the central and southern parts of the country, said Isaacs.It would serve as a watchdog and as “the voice of the forgotten society”, he said.The party also aimed to bring about equal economic development, land distribution and education opportunities.The other interim leaders are Chairperson Adam Johannes Baisako, Secretary General Adam Isaak, Information and Publicity Officer Timotheus Pieter, Treasurer General Dawid Swartbooi and Administrative Head Jesajas Isaak.The other executive members include Reverend Daniel Schmidt, Jacobus Thomas, Paulina Hanze, Reverend Dawid Isak Vries, Moses Jacobs and Anton Kooper.The interim President of DPN, Salomon Dawid Isaacs, said although the formation of party was an initiative of the Nama people, it was open to all ethnic groups.Isaaks said the Swapo-led Government had failed to honour the Namibian Constitution as it had altered the Constitution to serve the interests of one individual.Isaacs claimed that the current Government only served the interests of the majority ethnic group, although the Constitution clearly stipulated that all citizens irrespective of race, religion or ethnicity were equal before the law and that the rights of all citizens would be protected.”We [minority groups] don’t want to be treated as subversive people as we’re not second-class to any other ethnic group,” he said angrily.”All of us were oppressed by the colonial regime, but only the majority ethnic group individuals are benefiting the country’s wealth while some us are living in abject poverty,” he added.Isaacs further slammed the Swapo-led Government for failing to account for those who died in the Lubango dungeons after they went into exile to fight to end colonial oppression.The party for now would only mobilise voters in the central and southern parts of the country, said Isaacs.It would serve as a watchdog and as “the voice of the forgotten society”, he said.The party also aimed to bring about equal economic development, land distribution and education opportunities.The other interim leaders are Chairperson Adam Johannes Baisako, Secretary General Adam Isaak, Information and Publicity Officer Timotheus Pieter, Treasurer General Dawid Swartbooi and Administrative Head Jesajas Isaak.The other executive members include Reverend Daniel Schmidt, Jacobus Thomas, Paulina Hanze, Reverend Dawid Isak Vries, Moses Jacobs and Anton Kooper.