Niël Terblanché
President Nangolo Mbumba confirmed his trust in the Swapo Party presidential candidate, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, becoming Namibia’s first female president.
Addressing a large crowd at a SWAPO Party star rally in Swakopmund on Sunday, Mbumba spoke about the party’s vision for economic emancipation and its readiness to secure another five-year mandate in the upcoming elections.
“With Nandi-Ndaitwah at the helm, Namibia’s future would be in capable hands,” he assured the gathering.
Mbumba reiterated the party’s long-standing leadership and its crucial role in shaping the country’s socio-economic landscape.
He pointed out that SWAPO’s governance has been instrumental in the peace, stability, and development that Namibia enjoys today.
“For 34 years, SWAPO has governed with vigour, purpose, and patriotism. The Namibia you see today is a result of our hard work and dedication,” he said.
He criticised those who questioned SWAPO’s legacy, asserting that “history remembers creators, not critics.”
Mbumba stated that the SWAPO election manifesto outlines concrete, realistic policies aimed at securing the future for both current and upcoming generations.
“The theme, Unity in Diversity: Natural Resources Beneficiation and Youth Empowerment for Sustainable Development, reflects the party’s focus on inclusive growth and sustainable use of Namibia’s natural resources,” he said.
Mbumba was adamant that the beneficiation of raw materials would be a key driver of future prosperity.
He noted that Namibia could no longer afford to export its valuable resources in raw form, such as diamonds, uranium, and lithium. Instead, the country would focus on value addition, which would not only create jobs but also allow Namibia to benefit more directly from its resources.
“When you vote SWAPO back into power, many more factories will be built to add value to our minerals and generate wealth for Namibians,” he promised.
The president also spoke on youth empowerment, stressing that the future of Namibia lies in the hands of the younger generation.
“With 71% of Namibia’s population classified as youth, SWAPO is committed to providing opportunities for young people through education, vocational training, and support for small and medium enterprises,” he said.
He reiterated the need to equip the youth with skills to become productive citizens, reiterating the party’s focus on addressing barriers that hinder the development of youth enterprises.
In terms of the broader economic picture, Mbumba again pointed to SWAPO’s success in reducing poverty, growing the economy, and creating employment.
He added that Namibia’s GDP had expanded from N$7.2 billion in 1990 to N$227.8 billion by 2023, with formal employment increasing from 180,000 in 1990 to over 725 000 by 2024.
“The government’s commitment to social safety nets, including old age pensions, has provided crucial support to vulnerable members of society,” he said.
He urged Namibians to vote for Nandi-Ndaitwah as the next president and repeated that he is confident in her ability to lead the nation to greater heights
