New Era

WINDHOEK â€" New Era approached youth activists of the eighties and early nineties to hear their motivations for voting during their time, and what they think today's youth should be voting for. The goal for all of them in the first election was very clear unlike the post-independence elections, which do not have just one objective.

Michael Jimmy
"It was quiet clear, the aim was independence from colonialism but through time we realised that we had to consolidate the independence," Michael Jimmy one of the former Namibia National Students Organisation (Nanso) leaders responds. It was very important for youth to align themselves to the liberation party, Swapo, because it was the only vehicle through which Namibia could get genuine independence as well as end apartheid. "I did not only vote but campaigned vigorously," the former youth leader adds.

"A conscious youth" of today should be voting for the continuation of the mandate of the ruling party because there were many gains after independence, he opines. "If you vote for a political party with no track record, there will be no continuation of the consolidation of those gains," he adds.

Jimmy says 19 years of independence is not enough, as Namibia is only learning now from its growing pains. Namibian politics is not yet issue-based, as manifestos just consolidate the gains of independence such as maintaining peace and rights that Namibians still enjoy. "There is indication of improvement such as health services that reached rural areas. Youth must vote for continuation," Jimmy states.

Jermain Ketji
Jermain Ketji, a former youth activist says he voted for solidifying the freedom attained, for the reconciliation policy to be implemented and for the interest of the masses to be given priority. "My vote is going to talk to get priorities as they are not right. Let's go back to the drawing board to get our priorities right," he says.
Ketji adds that corruption must be fought and dealt with effectively while the country must come up with policies that can prevent people from getting involved in corruption. "It's all around procurement and tenders that most of the resources are being siphoned from. My vote is to say that is the problem area, let's address it." He suggests that resources be aligned to eradicate poverty in rural areas.

Dr Benhard Haufiku
Dr Bernard Haufiku voted for freedom and independence when he voted for the first time as a youth. "Today's youth must vote for the maintenance of peace, for development, for the party they are convinced will attend to their interests such as education, health and employment, which are the key issues," Haufiku says. He adds that young voters must read the party manifestos, do spot checks, look at party track records as well as the different leaders who lead the country. "Most importantly, the country needs development which will lead to employment opportunities for the Namibian people," Haufiku points out.

Maxi Louis
"I voted for political freedom and change. For me, I was fighting for human rights because it was the biggest thing for me as a person who grew up seeing people being beaten up," says another Nanso activist, Maxi Louis.

The independence that she voted for was for freedom of association, speech, movement and access to cheaper health facilities as well as education for all and free education. For Louis, issues such as economic opportunities free from tribalism and discrimination were among reasons why she voted.

According to her, freedom has been achieved, however, the much talked about Communications Bill will inhibit the same issues that the Namibian liberation was all about, as it is infringing on people's rights.
"We voted but lately things are deteriorating. As voters those are things that we have to look at," Louis advises. She further opines that health issues are not properly addressed. Facilities have deteriorated while access to basics such as education and health that she voted for, have not been addressed.

"I will give credit to government for things that have been achieved to date but as a country we could have done better," Louis notes.

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