Interview: Kamwanya Urges SWAPO to Move Beyond Symbolism Toward Real Policy Action

By Leonard Witbeen  

Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanya has added his voice to the growing call for the ruling SWAPO party to shift its focus from rhetoric to implementation, following recent remarks by SWAPO central committee member Hofni Iipinge. Iipinge had urged the party to prioritize concrete action over vague promises, especially in light of its longstanding track record of policy development without meaningful execution.

In an interview, Kamwanya said he agrees with Iipinge’s sentiments, emphasizing that the call for implementation is not a new one. “This has been said before by journalists, political commentators, and civil society. The SWAPO government has developed some good policies over the last 35 years, but the real issue has always been implementation,” he said.

Kamwanya expressed hope that Iipinge’s statement would reinvigorate both the party and the new administration to seriously reflect on service delivery. However, he expressed concern that the current leadership appears to be operating largely on a symbolic level—making visits and promises—without outlining a concrete roadmap for turning policies into reality.

“The SWAPO manifesto is a good starting point, but we have to ask: did the people really vote based on that document?” Kamwanya questioned. He further highlighted the importance of feasibility studies, data-based planning, and realistic implementation strategies to ensure that manifesto promises translate into real outcomes.

He warned that merely referencing the manifesto is insufficient. “The solution is not in the manifesto itself, but in how it is implemented. We need evidence-based strategies that address what Namibians need,” he stressed.

Despite his concerns, Kamwanya welcomed Iipinge’s reminder to the party and the government, noting it was a timely nudge to steer SWAPO back toward practical governance. “We will have to see whether this leads to real change,” Kamwanya concluded.