The ruling Swapo party launched its manifesto on Saturday at Outapi where President Hage Geingob said the party was committed to delivering prosperity for the majority of Namibians.
Swapo’s election manifesto comes after the official opposition party, the PDM and the All People’s Party also launched their documents, officially kick-starting the campaign-trail less than two months away.
Government has set the Presidential and National Assembly elections on the 27th of November.
“SWAPO has maintained its political success due to the evolution of ideas, continuity of leadership and unity of purpose. This is well captured in the notion “The Legacy Continues”. We remain rooted in sound principles of governance because we know that a principle half compromised is a principle compromised.
It is due to these reasons that over six national election cycles, SWAPO has continued to succeed, by proving itself to be a political party that is adaptable, forward-thinking and highly innovative. The internal stability of SWAPO, which has enabled it to function efficiently and effectively for 59 years, has enabled the party to entrench a legacy of Peace, Stability and Prosperity in Namibia,” said Geingob in his televised speech.
Seeking a second mandate from the electorate which would take him until 2025, Geingob said he has been tasked to advance the SWAPO legacy by ushering in an era of prosperity.
“This is no mean feat but I am sure that SWAPO possesses the capacity and work ethic to deliver on the second phase of the struggle. Behind the successful achievement of every vision, lies a well thought out plan. Planning has always been central to SWAPO’s modus operandi because we are a party that never fails to plan and therefore never plans to fail,” he said.
Inside the manifesto
1. Water supply – if elected into power the party will rehabilitate ageing water supply facilities, develop new national water infrastructures to ensure water security for both domestic and industrial use.
2. Industrialization: Review and enforce the country’s labour laws in favour of industrialization, economic growth and improved living standard.
3. Financial sector development: the party says that it is committed to establishing a sovereign wealth fund to serve as a fiscal stabilizer and to secure Namibia’s future financial stability.
4. Energy resources: Increase electrification coverage nationally by 50% by 2021/2022 and rural electrification by 50% by 2020.
Bring on-stream additional private sector renewable energy IPP projects, including 20MW Omburu PV power project near Omaruru, at an estimated value of N$500 million by 2020.
40MW Otjikoto Biomass Power Project at an estimated cost of N$1.9 million by 2020.
40MW Ludertiz wind power project at an estimated cost of N$1.1 billion by 2020.
50MW Firm Powercom (Anixas) ll) Project at a cost of N$1.2 billion by 2021.
20MW Solar PV plant near Gobabis and Rehoboth respectively, at an estimate cost of N$400 million by March 2023.
50 MW Wind power plants near Luderitz by June 2022.
50MW Firm Powercom (Anixas) ll) Project at a cost of N$1.2 billion by 2021.
20MW Solar PV plant near Gobabis and Rehoboth respectively, at an estimated cost of N$400 million by March 2023.
50 MW Wind power plants near Luderitz by June 2022.
5. Infrastructure: The 59-year-old party has promised to continue to expand and modernize the national roads, rail, maritime and air transport infrastructure to support domestic economic growth and connectivity to the SADC region and beyond.
6. Youth: Swapo says it is committed to establishing a sports academy of excellence and high-performance centre.
Upgrade one of the national stadiums to international standards in order for the country to international games and ensure the regions are equipped with integrated youth and sports facilities.
7. Education and Training: establish more schools of excellence in other regions, more funds will be allocated to technical vocational education and training.