Stefanus Nashama
The Popular Democratic Movement’s (PDM) leader, McHenry Venaani believes the reign of Swapo will not last forever.
He made the remarks while addressing a PDM mega rally at Nkurenkuru on Saturday.
“There is no loyalty to the Namibian people. However, ladies and gentlemen, let me remind you: no government or ruling party lasts forever. The reign of Swapo shall not last forever either,” he said.
Venaani claimed that the current government has been manipulating the country for a long time.
“We must confront the undeniable reality that our communities have been manipulated for far too long,” he stated.
He accused the Swapo-led government of not prioritising the needs of the citizens.
“Just recently, they spent nearly one million Namibian dollars to bring South African artists to perform at a rally, while countless villages in our region suffer from a lack of basic necessities,” he said.
He suggested investing in building water infrastructure or improving education facilities could have yielded more positive results.
Venaani said that governance is not just a duty but should also be an honour to serve the people.
He further claimed that the current government runs the country’s affairs like a cuca shop.
“The current administration has treated governance like a mere cuca shop, prioritising political gain over the welfare of our citizens. For them, it is party over people and this is a very dangerous mentality,” he reiterated.
While blaming the government for issues such as inadequate education and health service delivery, poor infrastructure, and unemployment, Venaani said the PDM is ready to lead the charge.
“We are committed to creating a brighter future for all Namibians, and we recognise that we face a catastrophic unemployment crisis, particularly among our youth, with over 40% of young people being unemployed,” he said.
He added the party will develop policies that stimulate job creation and ensure access to quality education and vocational training.
If elected into power, Venaani said his party plans to decrease unemployment to 11% by 2029.
He said the establishment of at least one manufacturing or processing industry in each of the 121 constituencies will accomplish this and guarantee jobs for young people.
“This will be a private sector-driven initiative, with the government playing a facilitatory role in terms of enacting friendly legislation for this private sector-driven initiative,” he explained.
He added that the initiative will consider tax rebates and incentives to make industries more competitive.
“We must banish the spectre of young and able-bodied young men and women who leave our rural areas in search of mirage jobs in urban areas,” he mentioned.
Venaani stated that investing in the youth can turn challenges into opportunities to ensure inclusivity for every Namibian.
He has since appealed to the voters to give PDM a chance and usher in a new future for Namibia.
