SWANU of

Socialist Manifesto For 2014 Elections

Topic: “Caring & Sharing”

Theme: Vote Swanu for Land, Wealth, Education, Social Justice and Accountability.

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Table of Contents SWANU MISSION ...... 4 SWANU VISION ...... 4 SWANU CORE VALUES ...... 4 HISTORICAL RESPONSIBILITY ...... 4 FOREWORD ...... 5 SPECIFIC POLICY ISSUES ...... 7 1. SWANU’S IDEOLOGICAL CONTEXT ...... 8 1.1 Ideology ...... 8 1.1.1 Socialism ...... 8 1.1.2 Revolution ...... 9 1.1.3 Democracy ...... 9 1.2 SWANU’s Record over the Past 5 years in Parliament ...... 9 2. SWANU’S PRIORITY AREAS ...... 10 2.1 Accountability ...... 10 2.1.1 Status Quo ...... 10 2.1.2 SWANU’s Solutions ...... 10 2.1.3 Financing the Envisioned Change ...... 11 2.2 Education ...... 12 2.2.1 The Status Quo ...... 12 2.2.2 SWANU’s Solutions ...... 13 I. Improving Skills ...... 13 II. Advancing Equality ...... 13 III. Increase Employability ...... 14 IV. Promote Research and Development ...... 14 V. Provide Better, Free and Compulsory Education from Pre‐Primary to Tertiary Levels ...... 14 VI. Improve Vocational Training ...... 14 VII. Improve Pre‐Primary Education ...... 15 VIII. Information Technology ...... 15 2.3 SOCIAL JUSTICE ...... 15 2.3.1 The Status Quo ...... 15 2.3.2 SWANU’s Solutions ...... 17 I. Reduce Corruption ...... 17 II. Institute 50/50 in Government Positions ...... 17 III. Protect Children ...... 17

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IV. Increase Employment ...... 17 V. Reduce Gender‐Based Violence ...... 18 VI. Increase Old Age Pension ...... 18 VII. Institute Basic Income Grant ...... 18 VIII. Improve Public Healthcare ...... 18 IX. Give Reparations ...... 18 X. Eradicate Crime ...... 19 2.4 LAND ...... 19 2.4.1 The Status Quo ...... 19 2.4.2 SWANU’s Solutions ...... 20 I. Provide Housing ...... 20 II. Increase Land Ownership ...... 21 III. Improve Green Schemes ...... 21 IV. Fair Resettlement ...... 22 V. Infrastructure Development ...... 22 VI. Increase Local Food/Farming ...... 22 VII. Improve Tourism Industry ...... 23 VIII. Ensure Better Transportation ...... 23 IX. Water Supply ...... 23 X. Natural Disasters ...... 23 XI. Sustainability ...... 24 2.5 WEALTH ...... 24 2.5.1 The Status Quo ...... 25 2.5.2 SWANU’s Solutions ...... 25 I. Tax Reduction and Simplification ...... 25 II. Create Equitable Fishing Quotas ...... 26 III. Promote Equitable Resource Distribution ...... 26 IV. Population Mining Partnerships ...... 26 V. Increased Agricultural Subsidies ...... 26 VI. Increased Personal Wealth ...... 26 VII. Industrialization ...... 27 VIII. Electricity Security ...... 28 IX. Monetary Policy ...... 28 2.6 NATIONAL UNITY ...... 28 2.6.1 The Status Quo ...... 28 2.6.2 SWANU’s Solutions ...... 29

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SWANU MISSION

To become the strong party of most Namibians with a common ideology striving to bringing about genuine economic liberation to all the people of Namibia.

SWANU VISION

The establishment of a society based on the solidarity between individuals and equal opportunity for all.

SWANU CORE VALUES

Caring, Solidarity, Comradeship, Social Justice and Sharing.

HISTORICAL RESPONSIBILITY

The task of continuing and directing the liberation struggle of the people of Namibia was passed to a new generation after the 1904 Genocide committed by Germans against Namibians. The new generation, which became a successor to the heroes and heroines of the Great Patriotic War against German aggression and Portuguese invaders in the northern half of our country and the South African racist regime, was consolidated in 1959 through SWANU as the first national liberation movement of all the people of Namibia.

Therefore, SWANU as an immediate successor continued to represent the interests of the victims of colonization within the broader framework of the national liberation struggle. It is in this context that we see our role being broader than just politics. We also have social responsibilities.

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FOREWORD deserves credit for keeping our nation from crumbling after independence, there is still a lot of room for improvement and the time has come for a new government to usher in a new and prosperous era in Namibia's story. SWANU is best placed to do just that.

Namibia needs a more accountable government - SWANU is accountable. Namibia needs a more equitable and socially just society - SWANU promises and is the most capable "to give the land, Hon. Usutuaije Maamberua, MP wealth and social justice back to the SWANU President people." Namibia needs forward- thinking leadership rather than reactionary policies - SWANU's history Since that 27th day of September in the is a testament to the party's far- year 1959 when SWANU was founded, sightedness and trustworthiness. the party has always had the best interests of Namibians at heart. This is The Nation should be lauded for the an immutable fact that has been re- grandiose Vision 2030, but the lack of enforced countless times since it was accountability and poor execution on the initially demonstrated during the highly part of many government ministries successful defiance campaign against the threatens the attainment of Vision 2030. forced removals from the . In fact, each year that inches us closer to the milestone 2030 makes it clear that Despite those turbulent beginnings and Namibia will fail to deliver on its vision the many challenges of the era, of an industrialized Namibia in the the party is proud to have stayed true to remaining 16 years. and consistent with its views and ideologies. All these years, we still do It is not acceptable that 24 years after not have cause to change our steadfast independence about a third of Namibians stance. In fact, we believe more than find themselves without work. Poorly ever that Namibia's current socio- managed hospitals and reports of infant economic predicament needs the kind of mortalities due to negligence are not thinking and policies to which SWANU signs of a sufficiently healthy society. espouses. The need for SWANU's policies to become the reality of Astronomically high failure rates year in Namibian governance is perhaps best and year out amounting to around 50% underscored by the ever-growing gap for grade 10 learners nationally do not between our country's rich and poor. bode well for our future. Neither do the lack of employment opportunities for the Although the current government youth, nor do the high rates of

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urbanization and homelessness in our should the party be elected into main towns and capital city. Finally, one governance. These areas are, in no of the highest income inequalities particular order, Land, Wealth, Social worldwide is an unmistakable sign of a Justice, Education and National Unity. ticking time bomb. Change, surely, is As a party, we recognize that these 5 needed. SWANU is that change. priority areas overlap in more ways than one, but that means true progress in one SWANU is proud to present this area will have a domino effect on the manifesto as an outline of how it intends rest. to guide our contrastingly beautiful and young nation towards prosperity for all. It is these 5 priority areas that are A sincere and fact-based analysis of our explored and explained in-depth by this society’s status quo is featured, and manifesto. We strongly contest that these realistic solutions under a SWANU priority areas are the key to expediting government are highlighted. The our society’s socio-economic progress solutions proposed in this manifesto are and subsequently ushering in a new and faithful to the party’s basic and inclusive prosperous era. The first step towards tenets of socialism. Furthermore, these true, holistic and inclusive prosperity is proposed solutions are underscored by for you, fellow Namibians, to make the the slogan of “Caring and Sharing.” right choice in the upcoming elections.

The aforementioned slogan implies that Hon. Usutuaije Maamberua, MP a government that truly cares for its SWANU President entire population will promote values of equality in all aspects of society. This means that, without discrimination based on race, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, socioeconomic status or political affiliation, every Namibian has a right to decent health care, quality education, and fair access to the nation’s wealth and factors of production, among others. SWANU cares deeply for all Namibians, and is wholeheartedly committed to sharing proceeds from the nation’s abundant resources equitably. This commitment is illustrated by the party’s theme for the imminent elections.

SWANU’s theme for the 2014 elections is to “Give the land, wealth and social justice back to the people, and to be accountable.” Under this theme, SWANU has identified 5 priority areas that would receive immediate attention

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SPECIFIC POLICY ISSUES Land Land will be nationalized, so that all land Good Governance and Accountability will be owned on leasehold only. We shall enact Governance and Accountability to guide financing of Health political parties, tightening rules governing Healthcare will be free to all citizens. Thus lobbying, strengthening laws on the conflicts a universal health care insurance to cover all of interest and corruption in general. citizens will be introduced immediately. Land and Access to Economic Justice Information Technology and Ancestral land matters will be re-opened for Communication discussions. Any citizens living below the All schools and government institutions will poverty line will be compensated by the be fully equipped with IT. IT will be part of State to be brought above the poverty line. all schools curricula from primary education. Renewable energy will be subsidized, environment protection will be prioritized. Education Will be free from pre-primary to tertiary Genocide Reparations Demand levels. Vocational training schools and Immediately when SWANU is in power, a institutions will be located in each region. Genocide Reparations Negotiations Team will be established, consisting Resettlement representatives of Genocide Victims and This will strictly on only be for the neediest GRN, as well as International Experts, etc. of our society. Training and farming equipment provisions will be included. Monetary and Fiscal Policies Full employment would become the main Mining mandate of the Central Bank and the Epangelo Mining Company will be a 50% National Planning Commission, which will (minimum) shareholder in all types of be part of the Ministry of Finance. mineral mining companies and its shares Economic growth target will be 10% per shall be held in trust for all Namibians who annum. will be the sole beneficiaries of the dividends from Epangelo Mining Company. Water and Electricity These will be nationalized and be declared Agrarian Transformation part of the basic rights of the people. All Until such time that Namibia has attained REDs will be abolished. food self-sufficiency food production in poor communities will be driven mostly by Social Justice the State. No taxes on basic food stuffs will Counselling, rehabilitation, foster parenting, be levied. elders homes, will be priority.

Fishing Resources State Revenue Only poor urban and rural based The dictum: “From each according to communities will be allocated fish quotas ability and to each according to Need” shall henceforth. apply. Revenue collection will be enhanced through identification of all of all sources. Natural Calamities Industrialization and manufacturing will A national insurance facility against natural attract appropriate incentives. calamities including droughts, floods, etc. Transformation of informal business into will be established to compensate losses in formal business will be incentivized. these regards.

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1 . SWANU’S IDEOLOGICAL CONTEXT

Marxism provided the intellectual 1.1 Ideology foundations of the welfare state.

Swanu is guided by its three (tri-partite) Namibia, because of its history of ideological underpinnings of Socialism, colonialism and Apartheid, is perhaps – Revolution and Democracy in more than other nations – well suited for establishing economic management and socialism. Under colonialism and resources distribution. These three Apartheid, the overwhelming majority of ideological pillars are meant to assist in the populations were denied access to bringing about meaningful, fundamental, means of advancing themselves socio- and effective transformation in the economically. Consequently, Namibia standard of living of the broader masses currently has one of the highest income of Namibians so as to guarantee the inequalities globally. Capitalism, to the future of our coming generations. It is degree in which it is practiced in for these reasons that we say: Give The Namibia, cannot right those economic Land Back To The People. wrongs of colonialism and Apartheid – only socialism under a SWANU 1.1.1 Socialism government can.

SWANU, in context, SWANU is not alone in promoting adopted a socialist ideological stance socialism over capitalism. The struggle because of the imperatives of the to replace global capitalism with liberation struggle and of the socio- worldwide is being politico-economic environment which forged by the converging actions of was anticipated in an independent many groups and individuals Namibia. courageously speaking out on a host of interrelated human rights and workers' “Only a life lived for others is a life rights issues. What more evidence do we worthwhile.” need if we can not be wiser by these examples: — Albert Einstein  During his inaugural speech as the first black president of the Socialism seeks to promote equality United States of America, among people by providing them with Obama expressed the need for many of the same social benefits. what he called a “watchful eye Examples of benefits that individuals in over the markets”; a socialist society are provided with are  At the Davos Economic education, health care, and care for the Development Summit, capitalism elderly and the vulnerable. Whereas the has basically been abandoned; eighteenth century liberalism of John and Locke and Adam Smith gave us our  The November 2011 Declaration constitution and limited government, of Principles of the Party of

European Socialists (PES) set the socialized healthcare system and European socialist agenda. incorporation of interpretation services in the health institutions. 1.1.2 Revolution  Made a submission to NIED (National Institute of Educational Revolution should be understood in the Development) on basic primary following definition from Oxford education curriculum reform. Shorter English Dictionary: ‘radical  Made a contribution to the flood alteration of a particular condition, state victims in the north by donating of affairs’. Therefore, a ‘radical clothing and food items. alteration’ is indeed needed in order to  Caused government to erect a rectify our course and ensure meaningful Genocide Statue. socio-economic progress for Namibians,  Consistently brought the plight of particulary those previously the farm evictees and other marginalized. This revolution is disaster victims in Namibia to the necessary not tomorrow, but today – the attention of Government and also times are ripe for it. has materially assisted the victims at Otjiku, Hochfeld, 1.1.3 Democracy and Otumborombonga.  On its 54th Birthday anniversary, It is our submission that in order for SWANU addressed the National Namibia to enrich and deepen its Assembly on many topical issues democracy, the concept of Separation of that affect the socio-economic Powers as provided for in the and political development in Consitution of the Republic must be Namibia. implemented to the letter and spirit.  Through its substantive, highly technical intervention caused, Furthermore, within the ambit of probably for the first time, the democracy and equality, SWANU gives Procurement Bill to be its full and unconditional support to the withdrawn. objective of meeting a 50-50 gender  Consistently relied on its balance in all of the country’s public ideology and socialism in making institutions. As a sign of SWANU’s political statements e.g. budget uncompromising stance on this issue, the debates, socio-economic related party has already inculcated a 50-50 motions in parliament etc., as a balance in its structures. way to maintain its relevance to the Namibian situation and to 1.2 SWANU’s Record over the avoid making statements in an Past 5 years in Parliament ideological vacuum.  Became the first political party to SWANU is the only political entity in attain the Zebra lines or 50/50 Namibia that, amongst others has: during its Consultation  Made a submission to the Conference of March 2013. Presidential Health Inquiry  A female Vice President. Commission that, among others, suggested the adoption of a

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2. SWANU’S PRIORITY AREAS

SWANU has identified five priority Furthermore, political patronage is rife areas that are central to transforming in Namibia, and it is therefore too Namibia for the better. These priorities common for public servants to be more areas are Education, Land Matters, loyal to a single party than to the country. Wealth Creation, Social Justice and In the eventual case where the country’s National Unity. Under each of these governance changes hands, such areas are sub-points that prevalent political patronage will only comprehensively cover all the important serve to destabilise the country socioeconomic issues in our country. 2.1.2 SWANU’s Solutions 2.1 Accountability When in power, SWANU will 2.1.1 Status Quo ceaselessly endeavour to make government more accountable in terms Generally, the management structure of of financial fair practice and the Public Service is too heavy with an performance. In this effort, SWANU overload of unnecessary and will retain the basic structure of the unproductive boards and managers, Parliamentary system and the which amounts more to a waste of Constitution will remain the overarching resources than actual work. Structures law of the nation. Therefore, any reforms and positions are often created, not out will be lawful and will remain faithful to of necessity but to accommodate the constitution. The following are the individuals for personal benefit. changes that SWANU will institute in this regard: We are cognizant of the fact that the best  Reform the funding rules for policy cannot get off the ground unless political parties. Instead of guided by competent, committed and basing funding on the percentage dedicated managers and leaders. The representation in Parliament, all failure of service delivery in parties would receive the same Government thus far can be ascribed to level of funding; one overriding factor: incompetent  Remove political appointment of people being in positions of management important positions such as that and leadership. of Regional Governors. Instead, people in the regions will elect Additionally, SWANU recognizes that Regional Governors, and other Namibia’s political landscape is heavily positions will be filled through one-sided and dominated by a single appropriate and fair application party, thereby threatening democracy. A processes; democracy is only robust and credible if  Institute a budget performance there is a sufficiently strong political review in order to ensure that opposition to challenge the ruling funds are used optimally; government and hold it accountable. As  Strengthen and protect the such, the political playing field will need independence of democracy- to be evened out. sustaining institutions such as the

office of the Auditor General and unbelievable that the Ministry of the Ombudsman; Defence receives more funding than the  Publicly shame and call any ministries responsible for housing and corrupt officials to answer and agriculture combined. Namibia faces a pay for their transgressions; greater threat internally from rapidly  Clearly communicate to the increasing crime rates (violent crimes entire nation the channels for included), yet the Ministry of Safety and reporting corrupt practices, and Security receives much less funding than strictly ensure and protect the the Ministry of Defence. The homicide confidentiality of such channels; rate for Namibia in 2011, according to  Have all political office bearers the 2011 Global Homicide Study by the and parastatals declare their UN office on Drugs and Crime, was at assets and compile accountability 27.4 for every 100,000 inhabitants reports annually; whereas Namibia has not lost a soldier in  Ensure that each step of any combat for many years. public procurement is published on the Internet and other avenues SWANU will consolidate the Ministry for interested patrons to read. of Lands and Resettlement and the The names of competing Ministry if Agriculture, Water and companies and their profiles Forestry. Consolidating and doing away (including names of owners) will with some ministries is important, be included in the said because it will free up resources (people publications; and money) that will be redistributed to  Empower the grassroots with the important ministries such as those power to vote out incompetent dealing with education, health, etc. Fig 1. Misallocation of Resources: Defence vs. Police officials; and  Require all managers to undergo training in the science of management, and to become experts in their field of work.

2.1.3 Financing the Envisioned Change

SWANU’s envisioned changes will require daring changes in the way the State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) will country’s finances are expended. also be radically reformed so that they According to the international auditing become the income generating firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (2014), companies that they were mandated to expenditure on government personnel be. Making government leaner and takes up the bulk of the government’s making SOEs more profitable will annual budgets. SWANU will therefore supplement tax income greatly. seek to make the government leaner. SWANU will consolidate several ministries and discontinue others. It is

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2.2 Education 50% of mostly 16-17 year olds are kicked out of the mainstream education system. The Namibia College of Open Learning (Namcol) has not proven enough of a success to return a significant number of grade 10 failures to the mainstream education system, and there simply are not enough vocational training centres to take in the overwhelming amount of those who 2.2.1 The Status Quo failed grade 10. This has been the case for each of the 24 years of our Ideally, everyone would be trained in independence. Is it any wonder, then, one art or another, and they would be that we currently have high rates of paid for the skills they employ for the substance abuse among youth, teenage collective good. A country is only at its pregnancies, crime and other social vices best when the sum of its human capital is today? at its most optimal. Furthermore, those learners who do Unfortunately, Namibia’s government make it past grade 10 have the grade 12 has fallen far too short of this ideal and hurdle to leap over. Once again, too too many of our countrymen find many young Namibians stumble over themselves in abject poverty with little this hurdle and do not obtain sufficient hope for gainful employment. One of the marks to gain admission into universities. primary causes of this dire situation is a This means that another significant very poor education system. In no percentage of young people is denied uncertain terms, our current government further education. Although it is easy to has an archaic and failed education blame these high failure rates on the system in place. The education system in learners themselves, the government Namibia is out of touch with should instead take the brunt of the developmental and employment needs blame. Reports of below par skills in on the ground thus leaving school- mathematics and English among our leavers job-less or doing something that teachers are far from flattering, and it is is not their passion or area of difficult to expect learners to do well if competence for the sake of survival. their teachers are not sufficiently capable.

Teachers are over-burdened with For those few learners who do pass administrative work leaving little time grade 12 and qualify for institutes of for self-advancement, preparation and higher learning, many find that there are actual teaching. The country has a very not enough places in the programs they high secondary school dropout rate as a want to study or do not have enough consequence of the unnecessary rule that money to pay for university. The learners who fail grade 10 should drop Namibia Students Financial Assistance out. Each year, an average of around Fund (NSFAF) is slow to make out loans

and there are not enough scholarships with immediate urgency. SWANU is and bursaries to go around. that change, and it has viable solutions for Namibia’s failed education system. Those who do find a way through The solutions are broken down into the tertiary education are often not prepared different areas under education that will for the workplace and this results in a lead to the most tangible improvements significant skills gap for the nation. A for the country. Namcol report recently stated that all new mines in Namibia import 45-55% of I. Improving Skills all their skills, because our education In order to mitigate the skills shortage system is not producing enough that the country is suffering, SWANU competent individuals. Figure 2 is will: adapted from a study commissioned by  Provide basic training centres for the Namibia Employers’ Federation in unemployed youth to develop partnership with the Ministry of Labour skills such as computer literacy & Social Welfare, the National Union of that will improve their Namibian Workers and the Trades employability while they seek jobs Union Congress of Namibia in late 2010 instead of having them be idle; and and illustrates the perception of  Engage the private sector and the Namibian businesses and employers on country's universities and colleges the skills deficit in our country. to collaborate on clearly defining the skills needed in the employment market so that Namibia's tertiary education system can better focus their courses to optimize the employment of their graduates.

II. Advancing Equality SWANU will advocate for education as

Fig 2. Severity of Skills Shortage/Scarcity in Namibia a means of equalizing the nation. The education system is deliberately Furthermore, the quality of education designed by foreigners to keep us under- has to be equalized across social class, developed and dependent on foreign so that financial background does not technical and scientific assistance, and determine how well educated a child will domination for continued exploitation of be. To achieve this, SWANU will: natural and human resources.  Engage academicians and other stakeholders to bring as much 2.2.2 SWANU’s Solutions clarity as possible on the link between education and income Overall, Namibia’s education system is a equality and to generate a roadmap very saddening and very troublesome for how equality can be attained as state of affairs. Without having to read efficiently as possible; into the statistics, it is clear from  Streamline the Ministry of walking down the streets of Katutura or Education so that the ratio of DRC in and townships government finances spent on across the country that change is needed background administrative staff to

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frontline staff like teachers and areas of national importance such as principals is reduced i.e. offer more mining, health care, engineering, financial incentives for teachers food science, etc. and principals to perform better; and V. Provide Better, Free and Compulsory  Have annual teacher evaluations to Education from Pre‐Primary to Tertiary identify areas of improvement and Levels provide training. Access to education is a major problem in Namibia for the country’s many poor, III. Increase Employability especially at the tertiary level. SWANU, The country’s employment rate is very in this regard, will: poor, and more needs to be done to make  Budget for effective, quality, job seekers more attractive for compulsory and free education from employment. SWANU will: pre-primary to tertiary level;  Incentivise Namibian businesses to  Engage private and civil society employ more young people by organizations to establish a sizeable giving them tax breaks for every 5 university scholarship fund for at people under 35 years of age they least 50% of all the highest employ; performing grade 12 learners from  Businesses will be encouraged to lower class and lower middle class give free internship to learners to families. Since tuition will be free, gain practical experience during the scholarship will cover things holidays; like textbooks, etc.;  Reform the NSFAF so that loans are  Innovation will be made a part of life disbursed earlier and more skills education; efficiently and strengthen their debt  Majoring in a given direction will collection branch so that more loans start at an early age according to are recovered and given out to new talent so that by the end of secondary students for textbooks, etc.; education learners are equipped for  Science will be the basis of the job market; and education in all spheres;  Subject choices will be widened to  Administrative workload on include all of society’s needs, and teachers will be cut to the bone; the aspirations of the learners.  Teaching aids like labs and libraries will be provided to all schools; and IV. Promote Research and  SWANU will incorporate career Development guidance counsellors into the In order to avoid the ineffective practice teaching staff at each school so that of importing solutions for local problems, young learners know what to aim more needs to be done to promote local research and development so that we can for. generate our own solutions. In this regard, SWANU will: VI. Improve Vocational Training  Engage the private sector and the Naturally, not all learners can be country's universities to invest more expected to excel in the traditional in Research and Development in education tract. Nonetheless, these

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learners also deserve an education that is SWANU’s myriad solutions will have of sufficient quality. SWANU, therefore, immense implications for Namibia’s will: education system. The improvements  Establish more vocational and will be tangible and clear for all to technical training centres marvel about. One implication will be a nationwide; reduction in the secondary school  Give parents the option of sending dropout rate, which stands at around their children to receive vocational 50% annually currently. Figure 3 and technical training from the 8th illustrates how SWANU’s proposed grade onwards, instead of having solutions will cut this in half over the them suffer through at least 3 years next 5 years. of high school when they do not have the desire nor the propensity to excel in the mainstream education system; and  Technical education will be lifted above mere craftsmanship like auto- mechanics to higher levels of engineering at a mass scale.

Fig 3. High School Dropout Rate Comparison VII. Improve Pre‐Primary Education The quality of education a child receives 2.3 SOCIAL JUSTICE at the beginning of their academic career is a critical determinant of how they will perform in future. SWANU, to improve this, will:  Incentivize more teachers to take up pre-primary education.

VIII. Information Technology The world is increasingly becoming dependent on information technology, and being left behind in this regard is a 2.3.1 The Status Quo recipe for disaster. To ensure that this Sovereignty, statehood and nationhood does not happen, SWANU will: are predicated on the ability of the  Institute mandatory computer STATE TO ENSURE physical, classes for all public school learners emotional and psychological safety and from grade 1 onwards; security to its citizenry. All Namibians  Incorporate in the public school are the same under the country's syllabus computer programming as constitution, and as such have the same a subject from grade 5 onwards; and rights and freedom. Therefore, every  Will host Information Technology Namibian should enjoy the same level of fairs and competition to increase security in inhabiting this land and our interest in the field among law enforcement institutions and Namibia’s young people. structures such as the police, the army and the justice system must be made

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responsive, efficient and effective to the considering that many of Namibia’s demands of our people for safety and elderly take care of grandchildren and security. This is a matter of urgency. the fact that food prices are ceaselessly Feeling safe and feeling like a first class on the rise. citizen should not be exclusive to a few Namibians based on race, economic In addition to the youth and the elderly, wellbeing, gender, age or any other form the state of Namibia’s women and of grouping. However, this is not the children also leaves a lot to be desired. case and Namibia cannot, therefore, be The exceedingly high rate of gender- labelled a socially just society. based violence and specifically the gruesome killing of Namibian women is The current government has failed a dark stain on the country. dismally in making all Namibians feel like first class citizens. Some of their Unfortunately, the government has not failures have been rather public and shown much innovation or urgency in therefore a stain on the country’s trying to protect Namibian women and reputation internationally. Reports of children from all manner of abuse. It is corruption in high public offices still an immutable fact that the reported cases plague the country, and yet those cases of abuse are only a drop in the ocean, of corruption brought to the light still and that there are probably many more only represent a small fraction of the cases of abuse that go unreported. overall corruption in the country. It is Furthermore, overall crime appears to be quite disheartening and discouraging for on the increase nationally. Crimes such most honest Namibians who work very as housebreaking, hijacking, bank- hard and have to watch many take robbery, ATM card cloning/skimming shortcuts to wealth. Any credible and murder have become regular and too government has to do more to eradicate familiar to even the youngest Namibians. corruption in public offices. Beyond the vices of crime, Namibia’s Another symptom of a social unjust health care is also a far cry from what it society is high levels of unemployment, should be. A significant percentage of particularly if those levels are highest in the population remains without medical the most prevalent age demographic of aid, but a greater percentage of the the society. This is exactly the situation population relies on public hospitals and in Namibia, with the youth being the clinics for their health-related needs. The most unemployed demographic in the majority of Namibians who use public country. How can the youth look to health facilities often have to endure becoming the leaders of tomorrow when long hours at the hospitals and clinics, they have to constantly fight despair sometimes only to receive the most basic today? In addition to the youth, the of medical attention. Two of the elderly are not treated as well as they country’s biggest hospitals are in total should be by the current government. disrepair in terms of operations and This country owes a colossal debt to its infrastructure. For about a week elderly, and yet they are repaid with a ’s Central State Hospital was meagre N$600 pension monthly. Such a without water and patients had to bear small amount does not suffice, especially the stench of toilets that were not flushed.

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The Katutura State Hospital’s toilets are  Periodically examine the bank often not cleaned and there are reports of accounts and assets of top officials; insufficient beds and consequently and cancer patients and their families  Have accounting officers appear on sleeping on the floor. Such a sorry state of affairs is an insult on the dignity of national TV to explain their actions many Namibians who have to put up and situations as the need arises. with the result of the government’s inadequacy. II. Institute 50/50 in Government Positions Finally, poverty is a human rights SWANU takes this very seriously, and issue and it is rife in Namibia. We as a testament to this the party remains should eradicate poverty in our society at the only entity in high level Namibian all costs. Poverty is not only material politics to have a female vice-president. deprivation, but above all it is a negation When in power, SWANU will continue of rights. Humans are being violated its commitment to empowering women wherever there are human beings and ensuring that they enjoy positions of condemned to live in misery. Namibia power as well. SWANU will: should not ignore the original objective  Increase the number of high to guarantee and defend human dignity government positions held by in an integral way. This is because women so that the country moves human rights loose their meaning and closer to 50/50 gender representation force if they are separated. Poverty and is management of national affairs. social injustice overall are not III. Protect Children predestined phenomena, and therefore Too often children are thought of as they can be rectified. leaders of tomorrow, forgetting that they 2.3.2 SWANU’s Solutions are human beings today who require a safe environment to develop into A SWANU government will strive responsible and productive adults. tirelessly towards a socially just Namibian children remain threatened by Namibian society, and will institute the crime and other socioeconomic ills. following solutions to achieve that goal. SWANU, in this regard, will:  Make social services such as I. Reduce Corruption counselling more accessible by There can be no shortcuts to wealth, and opening centres in select high no Namibian citizen should feel unfairly population areas and increase the marginalized due to discriminatory social services workforce. practices such as tribalism and nepotism. To fight corruption, SWANU will: IV. Increase Employment  Strengthen and empower the offices Unemployment keeps people entrapped of the Auditor General and the in poverty, and efforts to increase Ombudsman in order to more employment have to be initiated with effectively ensure that corruption is urgency. SWANU will: kept in check and reduced  Undertake massive infrastructure dramatically; development projects in order to create employment; and

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 Incentivize the private sector to  Increase the budget for servicing create more jobs, especially for and maintaining Old Age Homes. youth. VII. Institute Basic Income Grant V. Reduce Gender‐Based Violence Social welfare grants have been Violence along gender lines is relatively successful in giving poor exorbitantly high in Namibia, and drastic families a hand-up out of poverty. This measures have to be taken to stem this could also be very powerful in Namibia. trend. SWANU, to this effect, will: SWANU, therefore, will:  Provide further financial support to  Implement the Basic Income Grant single mothers so that women are program to provide financial respite not kept in abusive relationships to families unemployed due to finances; breadwinners; and  Create an easy-to-dial dedicated  Require families benefiting from the telephone line where gender grant to demonstrate tangible efforts violence cases/incidents can easily to seek employment instead of just be reported to the police; and depending on the grant.  Enact stricter and much harsher laws to punish those who commit VIII. Improve Public Healthcare gender-based crimes such as rape, As already mentioned, Namibia’s public battery, murder, etc. health system is in shambles. Reports of bed shortages at the country’s largest hospitals and long queues to get medical attention are stain on the conscience of civilized people. Radical action is required to rectify this situation. SWANU will:  Invest heavily in renovating the nation's biggest hospitals in the Katutura State Hospital and the Central State Hospital;  Streamline the nation's hospitals and clinics so operations are smoother and cycle times for patients are VI. Increase Old Age Pension significantly reduced; At the level of the family unit, too many  Start phasing in universal medical of Namibia’s elderly are neglected and aid for those who cannot afford forgotten. Therefore, it is imperative for conventional medical aid; and any government to look after its  Build a new state hospital to reduce pensioners, particularly because a lot is the pressure on the current two owed to this generation. SWANU, hospitals. therefore, will:  Increase Old Age pensions to IX. Give Reparations N$2200.00 per month, SWANU strongly advocates for concomitant with the monthly reparations to be made to families of subventions of the veterans; and descendants of those massacred in the 1904 genocide. Therefore, SWANU will

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continue to work tirelessly in demanding 2.4 LAND reparations from the German government. 2.4.1 The Status Quo

X. Eradicate Crime Land has always been close to the heart Crime is increasing at a rapid rate in of SWANU as a party and as a fighter Namibia, and significant efforts need to for disenfranchised and marginalised be made to stem this increase. SWANU Namibians. SWANU understands that will institute radical measures to fight all Namibians are equal and they should crime in Namibia, and will: all feel the same sense of belonging to  Increase the police force and this contrastingly beautiful nation. provide them with regular training to keep their skills up to However, this is currently not the case date with the ever evolving since too many Namibians do not own a criminal world; literal piece of the pie. Too many  Institute tougher punishment for families do not have a proper base or those who engage in crime; and home from which to raise their children  Review the sentencing imposed and shelter them from the elements. for animal theft. Furthermore, Namibia's traditionally agricultural peoples are forced into SWANU’s solutions to social justice urban areas as a consequence of hailing issues in Namibia will result in from rural land that is congested, dry and significant improvements for the country. not arable while an elite few own One such improvement will be in thousands of hectares of prime land – a reducing the unemployment rate. Figure vestige of Apartheid. This is clearly 7 below illustrates just how high the shown by figure 4 (adopted from a unemployment rate is at present, but also Ministry of Lands and Resettlement shows the projected reduction thereof presentation on land tax) on the next within five years under a SWANU-led page. government. By walking among the corrugated shacks in the informal settlements of Windhoek and Namibia's myriad towns, it is clear that the current government has failed its people. These aforementioned settlements are highly congested and are consequently a hub for crime and diseases such as tuberculosis and cholera.

The homelessness or poor sheltering in

Fig 7. Unemployment under current government vs. the country's informal settlements is not under SWANU government within 5 years the only problem. There are hardly any basic services such as clean water, plumbing nor electricity. Whatever there

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is has to be shared by tens of families if arid country prone to drought little has not more. been done to prepare the nation for catastrophic droughts like the one of As far as rural areas are concerned, the 2013-2014. The country is far from many incidents of illegal encampment of being food secure and the current communal land by some of the current government's green schemes have yet to government's top officials are shocking. become profitable. Already congested and overgrazed land is exacerbated by this encampment and 2.4.2 SWANU’s Solutions the government has been highly SWANU can and will provide ineffective in dealing with this rapidly sustainable and long-term solutions for spreading problem. these myriad problems. The solutions below are subdivided into different areas that are most pertinent to the overall land issue in Namibia.

I. Provide Housing In 2013, the National Housing Enterprise estimated that the housing backlog stood at 100,000 and was increasing at a rate of 3,700 annually. 24 years after independence, such a massive backlog is appalling and unacceptable.

Fig 4. Communal vs. Private Land in Namibia

Swanu holds the view that the current process of land reform and resettlement does not attempt to create new, more equitable agrarian situations, but merely recreating existing unequal distribution patterns in new areas. Furthermore, the resettlement process initiated by the current government has been very slow and non-transparent. Too many Furthermore, the government’s current Namibians have been on waiting lists for mass housing project is already long periods of time without any embroiled in controversy and off indication of when they would be schedule. Some of the controversy is in resettled. This view is butter-stressed by the prices of the newly built houses, a the government candid admission that significant amount of them being out of 15 million hectares it has targeted financially out of reach for most for by 2020, it has only managed to Namibians. Therefore, it is important to acquire 4 (four) million ha, thus not only provide sufficient housing, but justifying the assertion that land reform to also ensure that housing is affordable. is progressing too slowly. To solve this colossal national problem, SWANU will: It is also appalling that despite the well-  Offer tenders to deserving recognized fact that Namibia is a semi- Namibian companies to construct

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low-income high-rise flats for the  Nationalize all land into state country's urban poor; hands;  Fully furnish these high-rise flats  Return communities that were with electricity and basic uprooted by colonialism to their plumbing provisions;  Have erven for houses be free for ancestral lands; the poor;  Have commercial farms be  Give soft loans for housing and rented only from the state and not so stop over-pricing and owned; speculation;  Have farm sizes depend on  Enable civil servants to use individual economic activity; pension monies to build houses;  Have any superfluous land be and forfeited to the state;  Oblige private businesses to  Abolish willing-buyer-willing- build houses for their employees. seller and the state will not buy back land never bought in the II. Increase Land Ownership first place; Beyond housing, land is vital for  Have the Constitution amended economic activity. The main reason the people of Namibia fought colonization to outlaw privatisation of land so from its onset is to protect or regain their that land will not be a commodity land. To date, the land has not yet to be bought and sold but a reverted back to its original owners. On national asset; and the contrary, colonial deprivation of land  Expropriate foreigner-owned and its privatisation is now extending land. into the communal reserves left for the indigenous people by colonialism. III. Improve Green Schemes SWANU applauds the current The collective struggle for land has been government for its efforts in setting up replaced by individual scramble for the green schemes. However, it is very clear leftovers of the colonial conquest. that these green schemes are far from Convinced that Namibia will never be achieving their objectives, and are highly free as long as the land is in foreign and inefficient and not profitable. These private hands, SWANU will give the green schemes, if optimized, can be land back to the people. To solve this powerful in creating employment for problem of disproportionately large land many Namibians and increasing the in very few hands, SWANU will country’s food security. In this regard, (excluding resettlement): SWANU will:  Swiftly and effectively clamp  Promote agrarian transformation down on illegal fencing in rural (please note, not even agrarian areas by forcefully removing reform – we are not reformists); fences after prior warnings and and enforcing fines to repeat  Ensure the enhancement of the offenders; reforestation programmes.

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IV. Fair Resettlement  Ensure that agricultural subsidies The most arable land in Namibia are enhanced; remains in the possession of only a  Ensure that ploughing services handful of individuals, an unacceptable are restructured and re- state of affairs. What is illustrated in introduced with substantive figure 4 needs to be redressed through government participation; fair and transparent resettlement, and in  Seek professional consultation in this regard SWANU will: improving and expanding the  Publicly display and regularly country's green scheme projects update the resettlement waiting so that food security is attained in lists so that Namibians know the near future; when they can expect to be  Encourage and motivate family resettled; agriculture to form cooperatives  Resettle farmers and provide with neighbours for large-scale training support to ensure that production; productivity from given land is  Introduce appropriate modern not significantly reduced;  Speed up the acquisition of land cultivation technology; for resettlement; and  Use irrigation to eliminate  Encourage youth to participate in dependence on rain; the land resettlement process.  Link marketing to nearby agro- industry, national consumption, V. Infrastructure Development Land is required for infrastructure and export; development, so that the country can  Link the education curriculum to become a more viable option for critical the needs of modern agriculture foreign investment. Furthermore, and agro-industry; developing infrastructure is a  Elevate the status of food prerequisite for sustainable economic production in public career progress. Therefore, SWANU will: choices-a position now occupied  Provide clear plans for infrastructure development and by non-productive office work; implement those plans with and urgency as a means of also  Set up agricultural colleges providing employment. countrywide. VI. Increase Local Food/Farming Old-fashioned family agriculture will never be able to feed the nation as well as form the basis for agro-industry in spite of over 60% of the population being engaged in unless there is an agrarian reform. The most recent drought to hit the country revealed many shortcomings and confirmed Namibia as a food insecure country. Change is needed, and SWANU will:

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VII. Improve Tourism Industry spending a big chunk of their meagre Namibia’s tourism industry continues to income on servicing municipal debt for grow at encouraging rates, but without water and electricity and being forced to much tangible benefits for the poor. To neglect other essential needs like food, rectify this, SWANU will: health and education. Water will be the  Provide training and necessary most basic service a SWANU resources to rural populations to government will provide. To achieve this, better benefit from the country's SWANU will: rapidly expanding tourism  Have the provision of affordable industry. water start with household consumption with pricing being VIII. Ensure Better Transportation With new technologies, the country is aligned to individual ability to more connected than ever in terms of pay; communication. However, the affordable  Give special consideration to movement of people and goods around vulnerable groups like poor the country is still not up to par and is single mothers, the elderly, the monopolized (particularly movement of disabled, and child-headed goods) by a few. Therefore, more needs house-holds; to be done to increase mobility of Namibians and their goods within the  Have the second category of country, and SWANU will: providing water be for  Set up better and more production; diversified transportation  Place special emphasis on infrastructure in order to connect irrigation for rain-dependent Namibians in all of the country's crop-growing communities; geographical corners; and  Set up a separate ministry  Revitalize the railway system so that more people can utilize this dealing solely with water as mode of transportation for against a mere department; and themselves and their goods.  Use all available and developable bulk water sources to the full. IX. Water Supply Currently, water is a commodity the X. Natural Disasters scarcity of which is capitalised on by SWANU will explore permanent unscrupulous profit making at the remedies towards the perennial flooding expense of human life and wellbeing. in the Northern Regions. The ecological The approach in service delivery must be impacts as evidenced by the alarming bottom-up whereby the most basic need rate of deforestation, population pressure is provided to everybody first before and past colonial military devastations going over to the next layer of need. can certainly not be addressed by means of land reform programs. Failure to follow this approach has resulted in people in some areas dying SWANU government shall: from disease after drinking dirty water;  Set up a budget vote for agrarian communal agriculture being dependent transformation in the Northern on rain; low-income town-dwellers Regions;

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 Harvest the huge water resource  Set up standards in the there for a Green Revolution to manufacturing sector and other counter the effects of industries to ensure that measures encroaching desertification and are in place and adhered to in deforestation. This position is order to minimize unnecessary informed by experience from pollution of Namibia’s natural Libya that introduced a Green resources; and Revolution in the Sahara Desert;  Host a national conference on and animal rights issues so as to bring  Establish well-trained disaster about reasonable resolutions to relief teams to respond promptly national issues such as seal and effectively to and disaster culling, among others. situations such as flooding. We need political will and vision to SWANU’s envisioned solutions will carry out these ambitious development have a remarkable effect on the sense of projects. This is not a pipe dream; times equality felt by Namibians. More people are changing fast. would own a literal piece of the pie, and the country will be more connected than XI. Sustainability ever, for example. Figure 5 on the next Namibia is blessed with immense natural page highlights just one improvement beauty and diversity, and ensuring that under a SWANU-led government within both that beauty and diversity lasts far the next 5 years. into the future is a duty not to be taken lightly. Although Namibia’s pollution is miniscule relative to other countries, measures should still be taken to prevent land, air and water pollution from becoming disproportionately too much. In this regard, SWANU will:  Incentivise the practice of recycling all sorts of waste by giving tax breaks to companies engaged in recycling;  Consult experts on sustainability Fig 5. Comparison of Percentage Land Owners in on ways to increase innovation in Namibia currently and under SWANU in five years this sphere;  Increase funding for research and 2.5 WEALTH wildlife conservation efforts to protect Namibia’s wildlife; SWANU recognizes that Namibia  Increase the penalties for continues to have one of the highest poaching in order to discourage income inequalities globally. Having this activity; such an unequal society in terms of  Set up a fund to mitigate the wealth is a threat to the peace and damage caused by wild animals stability that Namibia has enjoyed thus such as elephants in rural areas far. SWANU further recognizes that the so as to reduce tensions between masses in Namibia have been animals and humans; dispossessed of nearly everything, and

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they remain so 24 years after (tax rate and number of hours needed to independence, yet the wealth and comply), Namibia ranked 114th resources are in abundance. internationally. For such a small country in terms of population, this is rather The neo-colonialist arrangement surprising and unacceptable. experienced in Africa between the formerly colonized and many foreign On the government level, wealth corporations will never address the creation for the country is also in a state unequal distribution of wealth for the of disarray. State Owned Enterprises people in Namibia nor will the established for the purpose of generating exploitation of our marine resources by extra income for government to use in its the cohort arrangement between local development endeavours are instead a black bourgeois (so-called BEE) and financial burden and require regular some imperialists entrepreneurs and bailouts. Additionally, the government others. issuing of fishing, mining and oil exploration licenses is not as transparent as it should be and the process is too complex and therefore inaccessible for regular Namibians. As a result, instead of offering a wealth creation opportunity for many Namibians, only a select few benefit. For Namibians engaged in agricultural activities the government has failed to provide adequate training and subsidies for them to consistently grow and expand their operations.

2.5.2 SWANU’s Solutions

SWANU shall immediately create a society based on fair distribution of 2.5.1 The Status Quo wealth and equal opportunities for all. The party believes that this is possible if Undoubtedly, the nation's extremely all basic means of wealth distribution high inequality is exacerbated by the low and exchange are democratically financial literacy and financial inclusion supervised and controlled for the benefit rates among Namibians. This means that of the broader spectrum of our people. the poor majority do not have the basic knowledge of properly managing their I. Tax Reduction and Simplification little income and growing their wealth. As previously stated, Namibia ranks poorly in terms of the effort required for Furthermore, the complex tax structure tax compliance. This is discouraging for that the government employs is highly foreign investors, and more importantly inconvenient and makes it tough for it, a hindrance for many small and businesses and individuals to fully medium enterprises. Furthermore, comply. PricewaterhouseCoopers (2014) Namibia stark income inequality recently revealed that for paying taxes

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requires tax rates that re reflective of that.  Form partnerships with the local Therefore, SWANU will: population to engage in mining  Simplify tax payment and reduce ventures. tax for low-income individuals. V. Increased Agricultural Subsidies II. Create Equitable Fishing Quotas According to the National Household and Expenditure Survey published in 2012 by the National Statistics Agency, 23.1% of Namibian households countrywide reported subsistence farming as their main source of income. Most of these are Namibians in rural areas who are trapped in poverty. To assist them, SWANU will:  Provide consistent, sufficient and reliable agricultural subsidies to A lot of wealth is generated annually empower our farmers to create from fishing, but too many Namibians wealth for themselves by producing do not share in that wealth. Therefore, food for all Namibians. SWANU will:  Henceforth allocate fish quotas only VI. Increased Personal Wealth to poor urban and rural-based In order to extricate oneself from communities. poverty, it is not only necessary to earn a consistent income. It is just as important III. Promote Equitable Resource to use that income productively and to Distribution make each dollar go further. Too often Namibia is a country of abundant there are stories of a parent using the reserves of natural resources. If shared family income for alcohol consumption more equitably, income from these when there are outstanding school fees resources can lift a significant number of and little or no food on the table. To curb Namibians out of abject poverty. this requires financial literacy training, Therefore, to facilitate this, SWANU and to this effect SWANU will: will:  Partner with local commercial  Fight discrimination to access banks and civil society to improve national resources on the basis of and expand financial literacy political party affiliation; and training in secondary schools,  Create the enabling environment vocational training centres and and shall mostly concentrate on include it in the Adult Literacy redistribution of resources. Program; and  Incentivize employers to offer IV. Population Mining Partnerships financial literacy education in their As with fishing, a lot of wealth is created organizational development through mining in Namibia. However, initiatives, particularly for their benefits from this industry are only low-skilled employees. enjoyed by an elite few. To rectify this, SWANU will:

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VII. Industrialization  Required industrial businesses to The development of Namibia is held make use of university graduates back by many problems the most and local experts with interest in important of which is lack of the development of the country manufacturing industry to swallow up before any technical and big numbers of unemployed and school leavers. Employment causes many social scientific assistance from problems like crime, drug and alcohol outside; abuse, and gender-based violence  Institute schools teaching perpetrated mostly by frustrated men. machine building for innovation Currently, government policy is focused in appropriate technologies and on the social effects of unemployment lessen dependence of imports of rather than addressing the economic and financial causes. In order to ensure the machinery; fast development of industries SWANU  Give local authorities training will: budgets to train prospective  Be the driver of industrialisation workers in factories in the as the ruling government; pipeline;  Allocate most of the capital  Encourage institutions of higher budget towards industrialisation learning to do research into what – both at the central and regional can be done with local and levels; traditional raw materials in terms  Give special attention to the of manufacturing; agro-industry seeing that it is the  Give the existing home-based easiest sector for industrialisation manufacturers generous under our circumstances of assistance to expand; scarcity of scientists, skilled  Require foreign retailers to stock labour and technology; locally manufactured products  Oblige mining companies to do first before any imports; value-addition or face tough  Have the social responsibility of taxation and forfeit any future companies be supplemented with concessions: an example is zinc industrial responsibility so that a that can be used to make given percentage of their profit corrugated iron which is in high goes to either them starting value demand locally, but can also be addition or put the money into a exported in the region; industrial fund; and  Give capital budgets to regions  Have the state own concessions and local authorities will be and businesses currently given to earmarked for setting up factories black individuals for the benefit and other productive endeavours of all citizens; by the local councils themselves;

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VIII. Electricity Security IX. Monetary Policy A country’s industrialization and SWANU of Namibia is fortunate to have economic activity is fuelled by the a president who has extensive education consistent availability of electrical power. and vast experience in finance. As such, Mines and other industrial players the party unequivocally supports the require significant amounts of electricity independence and neutrality of the Bank to maintain their operations, school of Namibia as a central bank. A children require electricity to light up SWANU government will not interfere their study halls and even the sharing of in any way with the operations of the information through television and radio Bank of Namibia. requires electricity. It is no secret that Namibia faces an electricity shortage 2.6 NATIONAL UNITY and pays significant rates for imported electricity. Measures need to be taken to expand electrification to rural areas and to ensure that the nations lights are kept on at reasonable prices. SWANU will therefore:  Incentivize the use of renewable energy at the household level by giving generous loans for households that want to invest in solar panels and solar water heaters; Namibia is a diverse country with a  Provide a conducive investment highly multi-cultural and pluralistic environment for independent population. Consequently, it is important power producers so as to increase that feelings of nationhood, patriotism local generation capacity and and mutual respect pervade all the ethnic, provide jobs in that sector; political, religious, gender, etc. groups  Expedite the completion of the that inhabit Namibia. Cohesion is critical Kudu Gas Project as much as to sustaining the peace and stability that possible without compromising the country has enjoyed for 24 years on the quality of the job done so since independence. the nation can become a net exporter of electricity sooner 2.6.1 The Status Quo rather than later; Although Namibia is not literally at war,  Set up infrastructure to expand there are still many indications that the electrification to rural areas so country is divided. The most prevalent that tangible business growth divisions are rooted in tribalism, but occurs in those areas; there are also strong political divisions  Encourage innovation in the that plague the country. A case in point renewable energy sector so that is the politicizing of national events by the nation capitalizes on its the current ruling party and the verbal abundant renewable energy and sometimes physical abuse of endowment. members of other parties by the ruling party's members.

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2.6.2 SWANU’s Solutions  Exert great efforts to establish By making a success of the previous institutions of learning for our four priority areas outlined and people – for the young and old. discussed in this manifesto, the SWANU School fees at all level will government will ensure that all ultimately be abolished. Namibians feel equal and discard any Education shall be compulsory feelings of "other-ness" towards fellow from the age of 6 to 16 years; Namibians who might be different from  Encourage local literature by them. To achieve comprehensive sponsoring a publishing house national unity, SWANU will: for literature dealing with  Make it strictly illegal to Namibian culture and history; politicize national holidays by  Encourage visual art such as wearing party paraphernalia or painting and film that deals with holding party events during Namibian culture and history; national holiday celebrations;  Instituting strong punishment for  Initiate a "Celebrate Diversity public servants found guilty of Day" on which people from practices such as tribalism and different ethnic groups are urged nepotism; to wear the traditional dress of  Initiate a public awareness other local ethnic groups; campaign to expose Namibians  Abolish all forces of to opportunities for local tourism discrimination of culture and so that they can gain a greater education. Develop a national appreciation for the contrasting culture and adequate education beauty of the nation; and reflecting the progressive  Proactively encourage the tradition of our people, and diversification of primary and serving the needs of our social secondary schools nationwide, so development; that Namibian children are  Establish a National Cultural exposed to peers from other Group to eradicate all ethnicities early on. manifestation of discrimination SWANU recognizes that a united nation in the field of culture and presents a strong front for engaging education; other countries for all manner of  Set up a State Commission for cooperation. A more united Namibia will Physical Culture and Sport; better engage the international  Have the new culture reflect the community on financial, cultural and progressive elements of our educational matters. Indeed, national people’s history, life and unity is imperative before Namibia can aspirations; advocate for regional and continental  Reform the educational system unity through SADC and the AU. with a view to make it serve the needs of our social and economic development. Accordingly, subjects irrelevant to our needs will be discarded;

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Vote for Namibia’s oldest party.

Vote for the nation’s most consistent party.

Vote for the party that has always and will continue to fight for all Namibians, particularly those Namibians who are disenfranchised and marginalised. Vote SWANU of Namibia, and keep the flame of true freedom alight.

SWANU Socialist Manifesto for 2014 Elections 30

President Profile:  Joined SWANU: 1977  Exile: 1978 – 1990  African Development Bank Advisor: 1993- 96  PS: Ministry of Finance: 1996 – 2003  Senior Lecturer at UNAM: 2003 – 2009  Member of Parliament: 2010 – Present  Chairman, National Hon. Usutuaije Maamberua, Assembly Public Accounts Committee: 2010 - Present MP

Qualifications:  MBA (Business Values Administration) – Heriot  Integrity Watt (Scotland)  Accountability  MSc (Accounting & Mgmt.  Honesty Science) – Southampton,  Responsibility England  Diligence  LLM (Economic Law) –  Caring UNAM  Sharing  PhD Candidate (Accounting) – Wits University (RSA)

SWANU SWANU OF NAMIBIA X

Patji! SWANU Website: www.swanu.org.na Head Office: Soweto, Windhoek Facebook Page: SWANU of Namibia  Twitter: SWANU_Namibia YouTube: SWANU of Namibia

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