Stefanus Nashama
The leader of the Affirmative Repositioning movement (AR), Job Amupanda, has appealed to the nation for financial contributions to enable the party to launch its election campaign.
He made the request during a media conference in Windhoek on Thursday.
“Unlike existing political parties that receive funds from Parliament, the Chinese, the Brits, or through corruption, the AR movement does not receive any money from any defined institutional or well-established sources. We are funding our campaign from our pockets and through Good Samaritans whose hearts and minds have been touched by God,” he said.
Amupanda said that despite the lack of funds, the party is determined to run a campaign for the November elections.
He said the party relies on contributions from Good Samaritans and those who believe in transforming the political system.
He added that support should come from those who want corruption to be fought and ended.
“We are not asking for funds from you to wear an AR T-shirt. We ask for your contribution to be able to reach out to the people, mobilise society, and run the campaign. We did not get any funds from the tenderpreneurs because they know we are not able to give them tenders,” he said.
He accused Swapo of using state resources for their campaign through ministers’ familiarization visits.
According to Amupanda, these actions by Swapo are used as an opportunity to loot state resources.
“This campaign is one-dimensional and characterised by the ruling elites in cabinet and parliament crisscrossing the country to launch and open this and that, accumulating S&T, and addressing SWAPO meetings on weekends. By 27 November 2024, the government’s S&T budget would’ve been depleted, if not already depleted,” he said.
Amupanda said the failure at the City of Windhoek shouldn’t be on his shoulders.
“People should not expect me to do magic when those who had been in charge for 34 years did not do it,” he said.
Amupanda acknowledged that he has done very well while serving as the mayor of Windhoek.
He added that his party would be able to bring the country into a state of development and stabilise the leadership in the country.
The AR will hold its election workshop this coming weekend to engage in matters related to the party and its leadership.
Independent political analyst, Sakaria Johannes said some political parties are honest about their financial status instead of seeking funds abroad that come with conditions.
“It is better to get funding from the Namibian public rather than from abroad, where they have to deal with strings attached and conditions,” he said.
According to Johannes, the financial assistance request from the AR will encourage people to participate in the democratic process as both voters and funders.
“I see nothing wrong with that,” he said.
