Where Could Namibia be Heading? An Analysis of the Parties’ Manifestos 2004

In this opinion piece the writer analyses the ideas and approaches contained in the manifestos of the parties that are seeking a mandate from the electorate to form and run the government of the Republic of Namibia for the next five years.

The only party that is not included is the Namibia Movement for Democratic Change – this is due to difficulties in obtaining their manifesto. Policy Orientation and Outlook Projected in the Manifestos of Parties: A close analysis of the manifestos reveals the following four strands of ideological and political difference: moderate developmentalism, neo-liberal economic outlook, religious-based (mainly Christian) political outlook, radical socialist-based outlook Moderate Developmentalism Swapo Party is contesting the elections based on an elaborate 75-page manifesto.The first seven pages feature an introduction by President Sam Nujoma, in which he summarises the key achievements of his party and its government.The body of the manifesto provides an extensive outline of Government’s current programmes, their successes and challenges, before it charts the vision and the commitments of the party for the next five years.The first issue dealt with is peace, democracy and good governance as prerequisites for guaranteeing the right to choice and access to opportunities for the Namibian people.In this regard the policy of decentralisation and the programme for the development of regional and local areas are accorded prominence.The manifesto furthermore deals with the building of a socially just society, in terms of which the party undertakes to accelerate the pace of land reform.It also undertakes to broaden the scale and scope of the programmes designed to provide the beneficiaries of the resettlement scheme with the necessary productive and environmental management skills.In order to realise these objectives, the Swapo government will continue to work towards the introduction of the Land Valuation and Taxation Regulations, which are anticipated to increase the availability of land that is currently not being used for productive purposes.Also the party undertook through its manifesto to ensure that the current allocation to the land acquisition programme will be doubled to N$100 million pa year.Furthermore, if re-elected, Swapo will give serious consideration to the expropriation, within the framework of the law, of 192 farms belonging to foreign absentee landlords.Other issues addressed under the building of a socially just society are the advancement of gender equality and equity; the plight of orphans and other vulnerable children for whom a fund would be established; housing, building a healthy nation, and the promotion of quality education for all.The manifesto also proposes a number of capital projects to facilitate the equitable provision of water and electricity, as well as for efficient transport and communication.Finally, the document deals with the building of a vibrant economy, the promotion of prudent fiscal management and the strengthening of productive sectors of the economy.In this regard Swapo argues that the framework for promoting economic growth and job creation over the next five years is already in place.One of these programmes is the development and diversification of agronomic production.It outlines the following initiatives that would be continued should the Swapo government be returned to power: The green scheme for the development of irrigation projects along the Zambezi, Kavango, Kunene and Orange rivers; aqua-cultural and mari-cultural development initiatives; as well as the ongoing consolidation of the gains accruing from the policy of black economic empowerment in the fisheries sector.The party also pledges to reduce the Budget deficit from the current average of 5% to 3% over the next five years, without reducing investment in the social sector, as well as to achieve debt ratio reduction from 30% to below 25 % of the GDP.The manifesto of the Congress of Democrats (CoD) is featured under the theme ‘Towards Equal Opportunities, Welfare and Prosperity for All Namibians’.It starts by castigating the present government, which it holds responsible for contributing to the prevailing conditions of poverty, inequality and unemployment; the deteriorating quality of healthcare; increasing cost of education; the growing inclination for corruption and self-enrichment by political and bureaucratic elites; the emerging trends of ethnic and tribal favouritism and nepotism in state institutions.In order to deal with these anomalies the CoD promised to restructure the ownership and management of the country’s natural resources by instituting community trusts and co-operatives, through which the local people can obtain shareholding in companies allocated licences to exploit the country’s natural resources.To eradicate poverty the party promises to institute basic income grants for the unemployed and all those in low-income categories, without saying how much it would cost or how it would be financed.Other social welfare issues that the manifesto addresses are education, health, housing, access to water and electricity.With regard to land reform, the CoD promises to pursue a fast-tracked, integrated and sustainable programme, through which unutilised and under-utilised land would be allocated to the productive use of those in need of land.Land allocation under a CoD government would be done on the basis of ancestral land claims as well as the prioritisation of current farm workers.The manifesto also promises that the CoD government would ensure that budgetary allocations for land acquisition are significantly increased National Unity Democratic Organisation officially launched its election manifesto for the 2004 parliamentary and presidential polls on October 11 2004.Among the key issues featuring prominently in Nudo manifesto is the institution of a government of national unity.Other issues featured are job creation, addressing rural water supply problems and the scourge of HIV-AIDS that is wreaking havoc across the country.Like the other parties, the Nudo manifesto also addresses land reform and resettlement.It pledges to expedite the process of land redistribution and resettlement.In particular the party undertakes to accelerate the repossession of land owned by absentee landlords through available legal channels Nudo would also work towards the development of underdeveloped and under-utilised virgin land in communal areas, which it would convert into new farming units of between 2 500 and 3 500 hectares to be used for resettlement.The party also pledges to use the N$100 million allocated by Parliament to the Lands Ministry to buy commercial farms on the basis of the principle of willing seller, willing buyer, without stating how it would deal with the various constraints encountered by the present government in this regard.The election manifesto of the United Democratic Front (UDF) is featured under the theme: Society back to the people – people back to the society.The document contains obscure statistical and general facts and lacks fluidity.Nevertheless, it provides highlights of what it termed unpleasant facts about Namibia, ranging from inequality, death, unemployment, youth in crisis, the misunderstood message on HIV-AIDS prevention, women under threat and the persistence of colonialism.The UDF expresses its readiness to make the policy of national reconciliation a reality, this would be realised by calling for moratorium of national pardon (the word pardon is misspelled in some parts of the manifesto to read as patron) to all those who lost their loved ones in the struggle for national liberation.This gesture, according to the UDF, would promote lasting peace and trust in the nation.The UDF further pledges to uphold family values by fighting against alcohol and drug abuse and sexual misbehaviour.On land reform, a UDF government would introduce contractual agreements between white farmers and their farm workers, in terms of which parts of the farms would be redistributed to a generational families of farm workers.Under this sharecropping arrangement the UDF envisions conditions under which commercial farmers will utilise labour from the affirmative action farmer, while the latter will use the other’s equipment at a cost.Under this plan a UDF government would pledge to assist employers by paying 50 per cent of the salaries for their workers for two years.In return the employer would be obliged to guarantee at least five years of employment to the workers.The document does not state what will happen after these two years of state-subsidised salaries for the workers.The UDF manifesto also promises to use about N$1,2 billion to be raised through income tax for the rich, increased alcohol tax, heavy tax for environmentally unfriendly industries and payment of dividends from parastatals, to bank-roll a four-year plan to create 100 000 jobs.The document does not elaborate on to what the plan would entail and how it would be implemented.Neo-liberal Economic Outlook The DTA of Namibia manifesto was released under the title ‘You Deserve Better’.It addresses peace and social tranquillity as a precondition for substantial economic growth.The DTA identified poverty as the major threat to peace and social tranquillity, whereas economic growth is proposed as a remedy to this situation.The manifesto argues that since Independence the country has not experienced any significant economic growth and this it attributes to state interference in the economy, unwise and uncontrolled spending of taxpayers’ money.As alternative measures the DTA proposes to raise the capital required for development through communal agricultural land reform, economic and trade liberalisation, as well as tightening immigration laws and procedures.In its quest to achieve growth, the DTA also promises to promote an environment conducive for collaboration between the various social partners in the economy.The party further reasons that the maintenance and consolidation of freedom and democracy are essential ingredients for achieving economic growth and reduction of poverty.The DTA also acknowledges the impact of HIV-AIDS on the Namibian society.Although the manifesto describes the pandemic as a humanitarian crisis of frightening proportions, it does not sufficiently address the options that the party would pursue, should the voters put it in the driving seat of government.Radical Socialist Ideological Outlook Swanu is said to be Namibia’s oldest political party.This fact and other historical highlights in the life of the party are featured in the opening pages of its manifesto.Swanu outlines its guiding political and ideological principles as democracy, socialism and revolution.These provide the basis to the programme for fostering unity of nationalist and leftist political forces, in order to mobilise them against what it termed “the evils and legacy left behind by colonial apartheid and the post-independence decade of greed and corruption”.In terms of its vision for Namibia, Swanu stated its commitment to the devolution of power to regional and local structures of government, as well as to redress the confusion that characterises the administration, management and recognition of traditional authorities.Furthermore, it pledges to provide affordable and adequate social amenities such as water, electricity, and sewerage.The party voiced concern about the erosion of the demarcation of responsibilities between the Legislature and the Executive, due to the encroachment resulting from the overcrowding of the latter within the operational jurisdiction of the former.Hence, if elected, Swanu would mobilise a cabinet that at most will comprise 15 ministers.With regard to land, Swanu advocates the repossession of what was illegally taken from the people, through a holistic approach that would ensure that all beneficiaries are provided with proper and sufficient land, as well as the necessary services, institutions, equipment and implements.The foreign policy of a Swanu government would be informed by the principles of Pan Africanism, African Nationalism and international solidarity of the working class against capitalism and imperialism.What seems contradictory in the Swanu manifesto is the fact that, notwithstanding its socialist political and ideological outlook, it expresses support for Nepad, despite the fact that the latter implicitly advocates market-oriented economic reforms.Religious-based (mainly Christian) Political Outlook, Monitor Action Group (MAG) has shunned traditional campaigning.Therefore it has not published a manifesto, but rather opted to be guided by its constitution in advocating rights and responsibilities, as well as inculcating a sense of definitive discipline and respect for authority.Its only tangible campaign material consisted of pamphlets distributed to post office boxes.A MAG election pamphlet featured an interview that its leader Kosie Pretorius had with a journalist from the New Era newspaper, in which the political and ideological outlook of the group (MAG prefers being called a group rather than a party) is outlined.In particular they believe that philosophy in politics is humanism, hence there is place for Christianity-based political outlook.According to this article, the leader of MAG does not believe in the power of voters but rather in the will of God, therefore he argues that the representation of MAG in Parliament for instance does not derive from the power of the electorate, but rather because Jesus Christ wants MAG to continue serving him.Therefore, it does not come as a surprise that MAG did not hold any star rallies or other types of public meetings, nor did it go into the field to recruit members.The Republican Party (RP) believes that the Namibian people must be led in a way that would ensure that every one of them acknowledges God by loving, respecting and supporting each other.Therefore, the RP sees its mission as being one of bringing forward a new generation of God-fearing leaders of integrity, dedicated to serving the nation.If elected to power, the RP promises to address crime by ensuring that there are appropriate laws in place and that members of the police force are properly trained, receive better salaries and are taught to treat the population with respect.Perhaps the RP realises that its chances of taking over government are slim, hence it pledges to do everything in its power to convince the government to urgently work towards the establishment an autonomous anti-corruption unit with full powers, in order to “completely” eradicate corruption.The RP would also urge government to ensure that corrupt government leaders, political office-bearers and business people pay for their actions.On the land question, the RP blames the land reform programme of the current government for fuelling uncertainty.It would urge government to come up with a sustainable alternative, beneficial to all Namibians.The party promises to ensure that land would be purchased at market value, by advocating the retention of the principle of willing buyer, willing seller.Where expropriation of farms is inevitable, this must be based on clear criteria and be subject to the payment of fair and just compensation.The RP would ensure proper selection of candidates for resettlement, and such upcoming farmers should be given the necessary assistance to ensure their success.Conclusions During one of his many visits to the United States, the late President Mwalimu Julius Nyerere was asked why Tanzania had opted for a one-party state.He responded that the US also practises “a one-party political system, but with its customary extravagance it has created two versions of that one party”.Looking at the party manifestos, one may conclude that perhaps Namibians are even more extravagant than the Americans, in the sense that they are presented with nine parties to choose from, but their policies are not significantly different.* The author is a lecturer in Public and Development Administration at the University of NamibiaPolicy Orientation and Outlook Projected in the Manifestos of Parties: A close analysis of the manifestos reveals the following four strands of ideological and political difference: moderate developmentalism, neo-liberal economic outlook, religious-based (mainly Christian) political outlook, radical socialist-based outlook Moderate Developmentalism Swapo Party is contesting the elections based on an elaborate 75-page manifesto.The first seven pages feature an introduction by President Sam Nujoma, in which he summarises the key achievements of his party and its government.The body of the manifesto provides an extensive outline of Government’s current programmes, their successes and challenges, before it charts the vision and the commitments of the party for the next five years.The first issue dealt with is peace, democracy and good governance as prerequisites for guaranteeing the right to choice and access to opportunities for the Namibian people.In this regard the policy of decentralisation and the programme for the development of regional and local areas are accorded prominence.The manifesto furthermore deals with the building of a socially just society, in terms of which the party undertakes to accelerate the pace of land reform.It also undertakes to broaden the scale and scope of the programmes designed to provide the beneficiaries of the resettlement scheme with the necessary productive and environmental management skills.In order to realise these objectives, the Swapo government will continue to work towards the introduction of the Land Valuation and Taxation Regulations, which are anticipated to increase the availability of land that is currently not being used for productive purposes.Also the party undertook through its manifesto to ensure that the current allocation to the land acquisition programme will be doubled to N$100 million pa year.Furthermore, if re-elected, Swapo will give serious consideration to the expropriation, within the framework of the law, of 192 farms belonging to foreign absentee landlords.Other issues addressed under the building of a socially just society are the advancement of gender equality and equity; the plight of orphans and other vulnerable children for whom a fund would be established; housing, building a healthy nation, and the promotion of quality education for all. The manifesto also proposes a number of capital projects to facilitate the equitable provision of water and electricity, as well as for efficient transport and communication.Finally, the document deals with the building of a vibrant economy, the promotion of prudent fiscal management and the strengthening of productive sectors of the economy.In this regard Swapo argues that the framework for promoting economic growth and job creation over the next five years is already in place.One of these programmes is the development and diversification of agronomic production.It outlines the following initiatives that would be continued should the Swapo government be returned to power: The green scheme for the development of irrigation projects along the Zambezi, Kavango, Kunene and Orange rivers; aqua-cultural and mari-cultural development initiatives; as well as the ongoing consolidation of the gains accruing from the policy of black economic empowerment in the fisheries sector.The party also pledges to reduce the Budget deficit from the current average of 5% to 3% over the next five years, without reducing investment in the social sector, as well as to achieve debt ratio reduction from 30% to below 25 % of the GDP.The manifesto of the Congress of Democrats (CoD) is featured under the theme ‘Towards Equal Opportunities, Welfare and Prosperity for All Namibians’.It starts by castigating the present government, which it holds responsible for contributing to the prevailing conditions of poverty, inequality and unemployment; the deteriorating quality of healthcare; increasing cost of education; the growing inclination for corruption and self-enrichment by political and bureaucratic elites; the emerging trends of ethnic and tribal favouritism and nepotism in state institutions.In order to deal with these anomalies the CoD promised to restructure the ownership and management of the country’s natural resources by instituting community trusts and co-operatives, through which the local people can obtain shareholding in companies allocated licences to exploit the country’s natural resources.To eradicate poverty the party promises to institute basic income grants for the unemployed and all those in low-income categories, without saying how much it would cost or how it would be financed.Other social welfare issues that the manifesto addresses are education, health, housing, access to water and electricity.With regard to land reform, the CoD promises to pursue a fast-tracked, integrated and sustainable programme, through which unutilised and under-utilised land would be allocated to the productive use of those in need of land.Land allocation under a CoD government would be done on the basis of ancestral land claims as well as the prioritisation of current farm workers.The manifesto also promises that the CoD government would ensure that budgetary allocations for land acquisition are significantly increased National Unity Democratic Organisation officially launched its election manifesto for the 2004 parliamentary and presidential polls on October 11 2004.Among the key issues featuring prominently in Nudo manifesto is the institution of a government of national unity.Other issues featured are job creation, addressing rural water supply problems and the scourge of HIV-AIDS that is wreaking havoc across the country.Like the other parties, the Nudo manifesto also addresses land reform and resettlement.It pledges to expedite the process of land redistribution and resettlement.In particular the party undertakes to accelerate the repossession of land owned by absentee landlords through available legal channels Nudo would also work towards the development of underdeveloped and under-utilised virgin land in communal areas, which it would convert into new farming units of between 2 500 and 3 500 hectares to be used for resettlement.The party also pledges to use the N$100 million allocated by Parliament to the Lands Ministry to buy commercial farms on the basis of the principle of willing seller, willing buyer, without stating how it would deal with the various constraints encountered by the present government in this regard.The election manifesto of the United Democratic Front (UDF) is featured under the theme: Society back to the people – people back to the society.The document contains obscure statistical and general facts and lacks fluidity.Nevertheless, it provides highlights of what it termed unpleasant facts about Namibia, ranging from inequality, death, unemployment, youth in crisis, the misunderstood message on HIV-AIDS prevention, women under threat and the persistence of colonialism.The UDF expresses its readiness to make the policy of national reconciliation a reality, this would be realised by calling for moratorium of national pardon (the word pardon is misspelled in some parts of the manifesto to read as patron) to all those who lost their loved ones in the struggle for national liberation.This gesture, according to the UDF, would promote lasting peace and trust in the nation.The UDF further pledges to uphold family values by fighting against alcohol and drug abuse and sexual misbehaviour.On land reform, a UDF government would introduce contractual agreements between white farmers and their farm workers, in terms of which parts of the farms would be redistributed to a generational families of farm workers.Under this sharecropping arrangement the UDF envisions conditions under which commercial farmers will utilise labour from the affirmative action farmer, while the latter will use the other’s equipment at a cost.Under this plan a UDF government would pledge to assist employers by paying 50 per cent of the salaries for their workers for two years.In return the employer would be obliged to guarantee at least five years of employment to the workers.The document does not state what will happen after these two years of state-subsidised salaries for the workers.The UDF manifesto also promises to use about N$1,2 billion to be raised through income tax for the rich, increased alcohol tax, heavy tax for environmentally unfriendly industries and payment of dividends from parastatals, to bank-roll a four-year plan to create 100 000 jobs.The document does not elaborate on to what the plan would entail and how it would be implemented. Neo-liberal Economic Outlook The DTA of Namibia manifesto was released under the title ‘You Deserve Better’.It addresses peace and social tranquillity as a precondition for substantial economic growth.The DTA identified poverty as the major threat to peace and social tranquillity, whereas economic growth is proposed as a remedy to this situation.The manifesto argues that since Independence the country has not experienced any significant economic growth and this it attributes to state interference in the economy, unwise and uncontrolled spending of taxpayers’ money.As alternative measures the DTA proposes to raise the capital required for development through communal agricultural land reform, economic and trade liberalisation, as well as tightening immigration laws and procedures.In its quest to achieve growth, the DTA also promises to promote an environment conducive for collaboration between the various social partners in the economy.The party further reasons that the maintenance and consolidation of freedom and democracy are essential ingredients for achieving economic growth and reduction of poverty.The DTA also acknowledges the impact of HIV-AIDS on the Namibian society.Although the manifesto describes the pandemic as a humanitarian crisis of frightening proportions, it does not sufficiently address the options that the party would pursue, should the voters put it in the driving seat of government. Radical Socialist Ideological Outlook Swanu is said to be Namibia’s oldest political party.This fact and other historical highlights in the life of the party are featured in the opening pages of its manifesto.Swanu outlines its guiding political and ideological principles as democracy, socialism and revolution.These provide the basis to the programme for fostering unity of nationalist and leftist political forces, in order to mobilise them against what it termed “the evils and legacy left behind by colonial apartheid and the post-independence decade of greed and corruption”.In terms of its vision for Namibia, Swanu stated its commitment to the devolution of power to regional and local structures of government, as well as to redress the confusion that characterises the administration, management and recognition of traditional authorities.Furthermore, it pledges to provide affordable and adequate social amenities such as water, electricity, and sewerage.The party voiced concern about the erosion of the demarcation of responsibilities between the Legislature and the Executive, due to the encroachment resulting from the overcrowding of the latter within the operational jurisdiction of the former.Hence, if elected, Swanu would mobilise a cabinet that at most will comprise 15 ministers.With regard to land, Swanu advocates the repossession of what was illegally taken from the people, through a holistic approach that would ensure that all beneficiaries are provided with proper and sufficient land, as well as the necessary services, institutions, equipment and implements.The foreign policy of a Swanu government would be informed by the principles of Pan Africanism, African Nationalism and international solidarity of the working class against capitalism and imperialism.What seems contradictory in the Swanu manifesto is the fact that, notwithstanding its socialist political and ideological outlook, it expresses support for Nepad, despite the fact that the latter implicitly advocates market-oriented economic reforms.Religious-based (mainly Christian) Political Outlook, Monitor Action Group (MAG) has shunned traditional campaigning.Therefore it has not published a manifesto, but rather opted to be guided by its constitution in advocating rights and responsibilities, as well as inculcating a sense of definitive discipline and respect for authority.Its only tangible campaign material consisted of pamphlets distributed to post office boxes.A MAG election pamphlet featured an interview that its leader Kosie Pretorius had with a journalist from the New Era newspaper, in which the political and ideological outlook of the group (MAG prefers being called a group rather than a party) is outlined.In particular they believe that philosophy in politics is humanism, hence there is place for Christianity-based political outlook.According to this article, the leader of MAG does not believe in the power of voters but rather in the will of God, therefore he argues that the representation of MAG in Parliament for instance does not derive from the power of the electorate, but rather because Jesus Christ wants MAG to continue serving him.Therefore, it does not come as a surprise that MAG did not hold any star rallies or other types of public meetings, nor did it go into the field to recruit members.The Republican Party (RP) believes that the Namibian people must be led in a way that would ensure that every one of them acknowledges God by loving, respecting and supporting each other.Therefore, the RP sees its mission as being one of bringing forward a new generation of God-fearing leaders of integrity, dedicated to serving the nation.If elected to power, the RP promises to address crime by ensuring that there are appropriate laws in place and that members of the police force are properly trained, receive better salaries and are taught to treat the population with respect.Perhaps the RP realises that its chances of taking over government are slim, hence it pledges to do everything in its power to convince the government to urgently work towards the establishment an autonomous anti-corruption unit with full powers, in order to “completely” eradicate corruption.The RP would also urge government to ensure that corrupt government leaders, political office-bearers and business people pay for their actions.On the land question, the RP blames the land reform programme of the current government for fuelling uncertainty.It would urge government to come up with a sustainable alternative, beneficial to all Namibians.The party promises to ensure that land would be purchased at market value, by advocating the retention of the principle of willing buyer, willing seller.Where expropriation of farms is inevitable, this must be based on clear criteria and be subject to the payment of fair and just compensation.The RP would ensure proper selection of candidates for resettlement, and such upcoming farmers should be given the necessary assistance to ensure their success.Conclusions During one of his many visits to the United States, the late President Mwalimu Julius Nyerere was asked why Tanzania had opted for a one-party state.He responded that the US also practises “a one-party political system, but with its customary extravagance it has created two versions of that one party”.Looking at the party manifestos, one may conclude that perhaps Namibians are even more extravagant than the Americans, in the sense that they are presented with nine parties to choose from, but their policies are not significantly different. * The author is a lecturer in Public and Development Administration at the University of Namibia