Ester Mbathera
Veteran politician and minister of gender equality, poverty eradication, and social welfare, Doreen Sioka, has announced her decision not to return to parliament in 2025, bringing an end to her long and illustrious political career.
She shared this with the Windhoek Observer on Sunday at the Swapo electoral college in Windhoek.
“Enough is enough. One should call it quits. From the age of 15, I’ve been a politician. Now I’m 64 years old. I want to give the young ones a chance to take over,” she said.
Sioka explained the importance of nurturing new leadership and pointed to young leaders such as Tobias Aupindi and Emma Theofelus, whom she claims have already been groomed to take on future responsibilities.
“These are the people who need to come in freely. We should give them a chance so that they can use their brains and the knowledge that they have learnt from us. I’m happy, and I’m proud to go back home and support them as they did for me,” she said.
As Sioka prepares to retire, she reflected on her accomplishments over the course of her 50-year career in Namibian politics.
When asked what she considers her greatest achievement, Sioka proudly pointed to her contributions to gender equality in Namibia.
“Today we have a female vice president who is also the party presidential candidate for the country. In 2012, I made sure that we amended the Swapo constitution to ensure gender balance. I’m proud that we are now experiencing gender balance. No gaps anymore. Even though I’ll be watching from home, I know one day people will remember that Doreen helped ensure that gender balance is attained. I’m proud of that,” she said.
As she prepares to embrace a more peaceful life at home, Sioka looks forward to spending time on her small farm with her grandchildren and cattle, far removed from the pressures of the political arena.
“I’m already in power at home,” she joked.
“There’s no fear that I’ll suffer.”
In her farewell message to the nation, Sioka offered encouragement to young people, reminding them that leadership is a journey and not an overnight achievement.
“The president likes to say, President Nangoloba, everything has got its own time. We should not even cry that I should be in this position. We also took time to have these positions,” she said.
She drew inspiration from her personal political journey, commencing in 1995 as a deputy whip for President Hikepunye Pohamba.
Later, Theo-Ben Gurirab promoted her to deputy speaker and then to Minister of Gender and Child Welfare. Then I was transferred to the Minister of Labour and back to the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty, and Education.
“Therefore, I say everything comes with time. Young people should not get angry. Even if they lose today (at the electoral college), tomorrow they will make it. They should not lose hope,” she said.
Several Swapo parliamentarians will not stand for re-election to the party’s nominations for the 2025-2029 National Assembly list.
They include Calle Schlettwein, John Mutorwa, Agnes Tjongarero, Peter Katjavivi, Albert Kawana, Juliet Kavetuna.
The party’s deputy secretary general Uahekua Herunga confirmed that they wrote to the office of the secretary general that they are not available for reelection.
“They feel that they have sufficiently served the nation and they need to go and rest and give others a chance. Those are some of the reasons,” he said.
