Sakaria Johannes
Poverty in Namibia is not an inevitable condition, nor is it a natural disaster. It is an artifact, created by human decisions, policies, and leadership. The persistence of poverty in a country rich with resources is a result of political choices that prioritize short-term political gain over long-term national development. Political ignorance among the electorate, combined with a lack of accountability, allows these policies to persist, ensuring that many Namibians continue to live in poverty.
What is Poverty?
Poverty, at its core, is the condition where individuals or communities lack the financial resources and access to services needed for a decent standard of living. In Namibia, poverty is especially pronounced in rural areas, where there is limited access to infrastructure, education, and job opportunities. The Namibia Household Income and Expenditure Survey (NHIES) reveals that regions such as Oshikoto, Omusati, and the Two Kavangos are among the poorest in the country, with high unemployment rates, low levels of education, and inadequate access to clean water and electricity.
Political Ignorance and Voting Patterns
Political ignorance in Namibia is a significant factor in the persistence of poverty. Political ignorance refers to the lack of awareness or understanding of political processes, policies, and the implications of electoral decisions. Many Namibians, particularly in rural areas, are uninformed about the policies of political parties and the actual performance of the leaders they vote for. This ignorance is often compounded by a lack of critical engagement with political debates and the media, creating an environment where citizens are easily swayed by promises and propaganda, rather than voting based on the actual records of political leaders.
This political ignorance often manifests in the form of continued support for political parties and leaders who have failed to address the underlying causes of poverty. One of the most glaring examples in Namibia is the ongoing support for the South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO), despite the fact that many of the regions that have historically supported the party are the poorest in the country. In regions like Oshikoto, Omusati, and the Two Kavangos, where unemployment is rampant and basic services are lacking, voters continue to support the same political leadership, often out of loyalty or a lack of awareness of alternative options.
How Political Ignorance Perpetuates Poverty
The political system in Namibia has been shaped by decades of SWAPO dominance, which, despite its historical struggle for independence, has not been successful in addressing the pressing economic issues facing most of the population. In fact, many critics argue that the political elite, rather than focusing on creating sustainable economic growth and employment, have been more concerned with securing their own positions of power and wealth.
One of the most telling examples of this is the way in which some leaders in Namibia have prioritized building universities and high-level institutions, often as a means to secure personal and political gain. These institutions, while important, do little to address the immediate concerns of the majority of Namibians, especially when the country faces an unemployment crisis that leaves many graduates stranded without jobs. The focus on high-level education, rather than technical and vocational training that would prepare students for immediate employment, highlights a disconnect between the priorities of the political elite and the needs of the impoverished masses.
Furthermore, the continued support for SWAPO in impoverished regions contributes to a cycle of neglect, where the electorate fails to hold their leaders accountable for their poor performance. Politicians who do not prioritize the development of the people, who mismanage national resources, and who fail to create real job opportunities are allowed to remain in power because voters, often without access to reliable information, continue to vote for them out of habit, loyalty, or a sense of historical allegiance. This blind loyalty to political leaders, combined with a lack of political literacy, ensures that the cycle of poverty continues unabated.
Poverty as a Mental Disease
The concept of “poverty as a mental disease” is not an insult or a judgment on the intelligence of the poor, but rather an observation on how systemic poverty can shape one’s worldview. People living in poverty often find it difficult to see beyond their immediate struggles and may lack the mental and emotional resources to challenge the status quo. This is compounded by a lack of education and limited access to information. As a result, they may fail to recognize their own rights, understand the political system, or see the long-term consequences of their electoral choices.
Political leaders exploit this ignorance to maintain power, using populist rhetoric and promises to secure votes, even when their policies do little to improve the lives of the people. By not educating the electorate or encouraging political engagement, these leaders perpetuate the cycle of poverty and political dependence. The inability or unwillingness of voters to demand accountability from their leaders is a direct consequence of this lack of understanding, which is, unfortunately, a self-reinforcing problem.
Sakaria Johannes is a Political studies and History graduate from the University of Namibia. His interests are: Decoloniality, Pan Africanism and Civic Engagement. He can be reached at sackyuutsi@gmail.com
