Namibia under a CoD government

The Congress of Democrats (CoD) 2009 party manifesto declares that now is the time for change, by outlining reasons why it should be elected to power.

The manifesto opens with a letter by CoD president Ben Ulenga, which catalogues the scale of problems facing Namibia – lack of jobs, poverty, education, corruption and crime. And he stresses, “There is not time to lose. Now is the time for change”

Ulenga expresses his party’s commitment to change the social and economic situation in the country by focusing on expanding and diversifying the economy; replacing what he describes as a “rotten” education system and building new schools and universities; changing the current healthcare system and strengthening parliament’s control over cabinet.

The manifesto is anchored on the following policy areas: youth; skills development and employment; housing; poverty and welfare; corruption and poor governance; and women

Youth - On the youth, the manifesto notes that Namibia is a country with a relatively young population that should be to be tomorrow’s leaders. “CoD believes that our collective future rests in doing it right by investing sufficient resources into the 70 percent of our population who are 35 years and younger,” reads the manifesto.
The party acknowledges that the forthcoming election would represent the coming of age for the youth born at independence, which would accord them a first opportunity to vote.
Further, the document states that government must remove legal, political, social or cultural obstacles in order to allow the country to benefit from the energy, drive and exuberance of the country’s youth.
It calls for opportunities and funds to be made available to release the potential of young people in order to participate not only in politics but in other areas human endeavour such as music, arts, literature and sports, academia, science, entrepreneurship.

Skills development and employment – The party says the high unemployment rate in Namibia can be attributed to the Swapo government’s “appalling record” in education delivery. To get the country back to work, CoD plans to redress two decades of damage in the area of education delivery and skills. The party promises to remove all “hidden costs” in education and also provide free education up to basic degree level. Other plans are: to roll out libraries to all schools and ensure each learner has textbooks on their desk; ensure that teachers are properly trained and that all schools are provided with software and computers; establish more technical, vocational and technology (ICT) centres to train youth for skills demanded by the knowledge economy of the 21st century.

Housing – The opposition pledges to develop a “clear” housing policy aimed at guiding the delivery of housing to the homeless in the country. The party promises to provide sufficient funds for the development of well-housed sustainable communities.

Welfare – The CoD expresses concern that Namibia is ranked the most unequal country in the world. The document blames this on what it claims, “the outcome of this government’s wrong-headed policies of the last two decades is a country where more and more wealth is owned by increasingly smaller elite.”
On health, the manifesto bemoans the broken health delivery system and has called for a major overhaul. The party charges that Namibians succumb to minor communicable diseases as a sign of a broken health system.
CoD promises to reverse the decline in health standards and systems; embark on major investment programmes in health services and personnel; prioritise the issuance of national documents to all Namibians; and reach 100 per cent coverage for old age pensions. The manifesto is quick to say it would not promise a specific figure but the pension would be adjusted for inflation. Other promises include supporting the Basic Income Grant (BIG).

Land reform - CoD says the delivery of land reform and promises to accelerate the exercise by putting in place the following measures: Speeding up the acquisition of farming land for redistribution to farmers, peasants and farm workers; modernising agricultural production in the communal areas; achieving fairness, social justice and equity and correcting historical injustice. Others are: Intensifying training and equipping new farmers for improved productivity and optimal land use; providing unimpeded access to veterinary extension and financial support services; removing the ‘Red-line’ from Oshivelo to northern borders; introducing irrigation schemes in the Kunene and Kavango.

Corruption and Governance – The manifesto alleges that Swapo has created a bloated bureaucracy which has, for the most part, failed to deliver basic services to the people, adding governance and accountability have all but collapsed at local authorities.
The party further alleges that State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) have become havens of mismanagement and self-enrichment; government’s procurement process and awarding of licences is riddled with corruption, kickbacks and abuse of privileged information.
CoD plans for a government which views public service as an honour to serve the people; there it promises to strengthen the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
Other measures include the passing of a Freedom of Information Act to enable citizens to access the process of decision-making by government and other public bodies in the interest of transparency and fairness.

The CoD’s manifesto is unclear on how exactly the principles in the document would be achieved, especially any cost implications. The manifesto does not cover the economy in any detail, saying only the “CoD government …will act swiftly to expand and diversify the economy to create employment.”

Who is the party leader?
The party has been led by Ben Ulenga since 1999. He is an ex-combatant and was imprisoned on Robben Island before becoming a union leader. After independence he served government as a deputy minister and as a High Commissioner.

Does the party have a website?
No.

More about the party
The CoD was formed in 1999. It won seven seats in the 1999 elections and five in the 2004 elections. Since 2004 the CoD has been the official opposition party.