President Nandi-Ndaitwah Launches Swapo Party 2025 Regional and Local Elections Campaign

Keynote address by Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, president of the Swapo Party and of the Republic of Namibia, Kuisebmond Stadium, Walvis Bay, 4 October 2025

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Our democracy advances in stages, each one building on the other to complete the electoral structure of a given administration. 

Last year, the Namibian people went to the presidential and National Assembly elections. Subsequently, the Swapo Party and its presidential candidate were entrusted with a clear mandate to lead the government and the National Assembly. 

However, last year’s elections have not completed our democratic electoral process. To complete our democratic journey for the full functioning of the 8th Administration, come November 2025, all registered Namibians have a legal and moral responsibility to go to the polls to vote in the Regional Councils and Local Authorities elections. 

This process will complete the eighth parliament, as it determines the members of the National Council, and the leadership of our Regional Councils and Local Authorities.

It is for this reason that we are here at Walvis Bay to officially launch the Swapo Party 2025 Regional Councils and Local Authorities Election Campaign. 

I am honoured, as president of our mighty Swapo Party, to launch this campaign. While we are here in the Erongo region, this launch is being carried out nationwide. The party has paid for the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation’s service for the duration of this event to be broadcast live, both on television and radio, enabling party members, supporters, sympathisers, and all Namibians to be part of the launch. They can listen in groups at Swapo Party offices or in the comfort of their homes, and carry the Swapo Party message of hope and reassurance to their families, friends, and communities.

Our regional coordinators and national leaders assigned to regions have joined party members in their respective areas to participate in the launch of our 2025 election campaign. This demonstrates that the Swapo Party is united, organised, and committed to reaching every Namibian, regardless of geographic location. It marks the beginning of another decisive journey – one that will strengthen our democracy and deepen service delivery in every corner of our beloved country.

As we all know, regional councils and local authorities are the heart of our governing system. They are the closest institutions to our people, mandated to deliver essential services, drive local development, and ensure that no Namibian is left behind. It is at this level where the dignity of our people is uplifted. 

The Swapo Party has always understood this responsibility, which is why we place strong emphasis on building effective and responsive regional and local governance.

As the continuation of the 2024 presidential and National Assembly elections, our campaign remains guided by the theme: ‘Unity in Diversity: Natural Resources Beneficiation and Youth Empowerment for Sustainable Development’. This theme reflects the priorities of the eighth administration. By implementing policies aligned with it, most of the pressing issues facing our people will be addressed.

Unity in diversity means being united despite our traditions, race, and religious differences. It highlights the strength of our collective spirit. Our founding president and father of the Namibian nation, and leader of our revolution, left us a clear message: “A people united, striving to achieve the common good for all members of society, will always emerge victorious.”

Let us, therefore, collaborate and strengthen our nation together.

Natural resource beneficiation reminds us that our natural resources must benefit all Namibians. We will continue to ensure that our policies prioritise the interests of our people and remain committed to adding value to our natural resources.

Youth empowerment emphasises that we must equip our youth with modern tools, knowledge, and opportunities to improve their livelihoods while securing a resilient future for Namibia.

This reflects the practical commitments outlined in the 2025-2030 Swapo Party Manifesto, which is already being implemented and directly aligns with the mandates of Regional Councils and Local Authorities. Those elected must ensure that they:

• Provide efficient, affordable, and high-quality services to all communities.
• Promote economic opportunities through local resource beneficiation.
• Empower youth with skills and jobs for sustainable livelihoods.
• Enhance inclusivity and public participation in governance.
• Ensure accountability, transparency, and development-driven leadership.
  

These commitments are not made in isolation. They are fully aligned with the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), which I had the honour of launching in July this year. 

Regional councils and local authorities are, therefore, mandated to provide fundamental services such as water, sanitation, housing, electricity, roads, and youth empowerment.

The Swapo Party is not just talking; it is walking the talk. The implementation of NDP6 has already begun. The National Youth Fund was launched by the right honourable prime minister, funding 42 youth enterprises. The national financial institution will continue to support more applications from the N$257 million allocation, which should be used in the best interest of our people.

In the health sector, I am happy to inform the nation that in five months in office, we managed to cut out middlemen and resumed procuring medicines and clinical supplies directly from suppliers, saving approximately N$221 million. These resources are now being redirected to strengthen our public health system and improve service delivery to our people.

During my first state of the nation address, I announced a subsidy for tertiary education. The working committee on subsidising tertiary education is hard at work finalising a practical model of this policy intervention. As a team, our government is committed to ensuring that when universities open next year, everything will go smoothly.

On housing, I applaud the municipalities that are cooperating well with the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development on the initiative to provide houses and develop informal settlements. 

I, therefore, call on the Namibian people to come out in large numbers, seize the moment, and let your voices be heard by strengthening implementation of our development plans for a brighter future. Give us a full mandate by voting overwhelmingly for the Swapo Party and its candidates in the November regional and local authorities elections. That will enable us to govern effectively and deliver the quality services our people need at the national, regional, and local levels.

By electing a resounding majority of Swapo Party representatives at all levels, you will ensure well-coordinated, efficient, and high-quality service delivery in every constituency and local authority. With that coordination and unity of purpose, developmental programmes will be fully implemented without delay.

The people of Outapi constituency have already paved the way. Outapi achieved a decisive victory in the recent by-election, where the Swapo Party received 9 675 votes compared to the opposition’s 669 – an overwhelming 93.52% of the total vote. 

This is a powerful testament to the trust our people continue to place in the Swapo Party and its leadership. That trust is not to be taken for granted; it must be honoured through the delivery of quality services and accountability – a commitment I made when I accepted the Swapo Party presidential candidacy in 2024 and cemented on 21 March 2025, when I took the oath of office as the fifth president of the Republic of Namibia.

Swapo Party members, and especially leaders at all levels, must understand that the Namibian people are demanding that the party account for their votes and restore their confidence.

I therefore call on all Namibians to go out in large numbers on Wednesday, 26 November 2025, and give the Swapo Party a decisive mandate with a strong majority in all 121 constituencies and 59 local authorities. Through your votes, the Swapo Party will be empowered to accelerate development and deliver the quality services expected by the people of Namibia, the Land of the Brave.

Comrades, the Swapo Party is a political party with a proven track record, tested leadership, and a clear vision for Namibia’s future. Our 2025-2030 Elections Manifesto commits us to putting people at the centre of development, ensuring that natural resources benefit our communities, and building an empowered generation of young leaders ready to carry our nation forward.

To all our regional council and local authority candidates, remember: the people’s trust is not a privilege for power; it is a sacred responsibility. It demands accelerated action, honesty, transparency, accountability, and tangible results. 

The Swapo Party must lead by example in delivering without excuses and without delay.

As the African proverb reminds us: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Comrades, we are in this together, and together, there is no limit to how far we can take our party and our country.

Fellow Namibians, unity is the cornerstone of our coexistence and national development. Tribalism and racism are our biggest enemies. We must work together – young and old, men and women, black and white – for our country to flourish.

I call on all party leaders, wings, affiliates, and every member of our party, supporters, sympathisers, and friends to mobilise with energy, discipline, and unity, so that the people of Namibia may once again deliver a decisive victory to the Swapo Party.

I, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, president of the Swapo Party, hereby declare the 2025 regional councils and local authority elections officially launched.

Swapo! United!
Swapo! Victorious!
Now! Hard work!

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