Empowering Namibian Youth: SEE Namibia’s Call for Voter Education

By Dilia Mazula

In a bid to address the concerning trend of voter apathy among Namibian youth, Social Enabled Education Namibia (SEE Namibia), a youth-led organization, supported by the US Embassy in Namibia, is dedicated to providing comprehensive education on the democratic process.

Commenting on the issue, during an interview with Future Media News, Joseph Ndondi, Executive Director of SEE Namibia, emphasized the critical role of voter and civic education in empowering young citizens.

Ndondi acknowledged the urgency of the situation, particularly in light of recent remarks by Graham Hopwood, Executive Director of the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR).

Hopwood highlighted the potential influence of young people on the outcome of elections yet expressed concern over their current disengagement with the political process.

“At the moment it seems many do not see voting as important,” noted Hopwood, echoing the sentiments of many observers.

Indeed, recent reports from the ECN underscore the gravity of the situation. In the 2019 national elections, a staggering 532,287 out of 1.3 million eligible voters abstained from participating—a stark increase compared to the mere 18,600 non-participants in the historic 1989 elections.

Hopwood stressed the need for intensified voter education efforts by the ECN, political parties, and civil society organizations. “At the moment, for example, I don’t think many people know they will have to register to vote again this year, because we will have a completely new voters’ register,” he points out.

The statistics underscore a significant challenge in Namibia’s electoral landscape. In 1994, despite 650,200 registered voters, only 497,500 exercised their right to vote—a concerning turnout rate. Subsequent elections saw a downward trend, with turnout dropping to 76.1% in 1999 and a mere 62.1% in 2004, despite significant voter registration numbers. Participation dipped again in 2014, when 1.2 million people registered to vote, but only 875,232 participated in the elections. However, there have been slight surges in participation, such as in 2004 and 2009, yet the overall trend remains troubling. Without concerted efforts to engage young people in political discourse and civic duty, Namibia risks continued decline in voter turnout levels.

In agreement to Hopwood’s concerns, Ndodi said: “It’s our time and our responsibility to take care of this country.”

“Through initiatives focused on Independence Day celebrations, workshops on civic and voter education, election observation, and extensive outreach efforts in rural areas, SEE Namibia aims to empower young Namibians to shape the future of their nation,” he added.

Currently, SEE Namibia has the ‘youth election’ project running, which includes civic education workshops and merchandise such as t-shirts with slogans like ‘I am voting’ and ‘social enablers vote’.

This campaign aims to inspire youth to actively exercise their rights and participate in shaping change.

In collaboration with stakeholders across society, SEE Namibia invites all Namibians to join in their efforts to build a more informed and engaged electorate.

Acknowledging the significance of engaging with young people in their communities, SEE Namibia has appointed up to 8 regional coordinators across 14 regions in Namibia. This approach enables them to continue delivering civic education and youth empowerment initiatives, even in marginalized areas.

Through strategic online campaigns, the organization has successfully conducted voter education drives that reached 60% of its total audience, even amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019.

Leveraging digital platforms, SEE Namibia launched a petition to extend voter registration, which garnered over 2000 signatories. Additionally, the organization hosted virtual events and utilized its social media channels to share information and produce short videos aimed at strengthening participatory democracy.

Ndondi emphasized that by investing in the education and empowerment of its youth, Namibia can pave the way for a more vibrant and participatory democracy, fulfilling the vision of a prosperous and inclusive society by 2030.