Amupanda: Youthful presidential candidate ‘signals change’
Representing ‘an authentic vision for Namibia’
If voted into power, Job Amupanda will be the youngest president Namibia has ever seen - by at least two decades.
Affirmative Repositioning (AR) leader Job Amupanda says as the youngest contender, his candidacy in the presidential race is more than just inspiration to the youth, it's a signal of a new direction for Namibia.
The 37-year-old made these remarks yesterday after AR officially submitted his name to the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) as the movement’s presidential candidate for the November elections.
The process requires that a candidate represent a registered political party, be a registered voter and pay a N$20 000 registration fee.
“I’m used to rewriting history in this country. This election will be different with the Red Star on the ballot. Namibians now have a real choice between the candidates of the past and those of the future. Between competence and inexperience. Between those disconnected from the people and those rooted in our communities,” Amupanda said.
“Our people are demoralised, disillusioned. They need water, jobs. Our education system is in disarray, and our economy is controlled by foreign interests. I represent an authentic vision for Namibia, a vision to change these conditions. I’m the president who will wipe away the tears and bring smiles back to the faces of our people,” he added.
If voted into power, Amupanda will be the youngest president Namibia has ever seen - by over two decades.
The founding president Sam Nujoma was 60 when his first term in office began. Hifikepunye Pohamba was 69 when he became president, the late Hage Geingob was 73 and President Nangolo Mbumba was 82.
‘Colonial mechanism’
Just a week ago, Amupanda accused the government of misleading the public on the issue of the veterinary cordon fence, commonly known as the ‘red line’.
He claimed that Cabinet’s recent announcement of a new feasibility study on the removal of the red line is nothing more than a costly repetition of work already completed a decade ago.
This after Cabinet approved a phased approach to lifting restrictions imposed by the red line and announced that its feasibility study is set to be conducted over the next two years to assess the potential impacts of removing the fence.
The red line, a divisive veterinary cordon established during colonial rule, separates northern communal areas from commercial farming regions, largely to prevent the spread of livestock diseases.
However, Amupanda argued that its continued existence is an outdated colonial mechanism that unfairly benefits a privileged few while excluding the majority of Namibians from accessing lucrative export markets.
[email protected]
The 37-year-old made these remarks yesterday after AR officially submitted his name to the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) as the movement’s presidential candidate for the November elections.
The process requires that a candidate represent a registered political party, be a registered voter and pay a N$20 000 registration fee.
“I’m used to rewriting history in this country. This election will be different with the Red Star on the ballot. Namibians now have a real choice between the candidates of the past and those of the future. Between competence and inexperience. Between those disconnected from the people and those rooted in our communities,” Amupanda said.
“Our people are demoralised, disillusioned. They need water, jobs. Our education system is in disarray, and our economy is controlled by foreign interests. I represent an authentic vision for Namibia, a vision to change these conditions. I’m the president who will wipe away the tears and bring smiles back to the faces of our people,” he added.
If voted into power, Amupanda will be the youngest president Namibia has ever seen - by over two decades.
The founding president Sam Nujoma was 60 when his first term in office began. Hifikepunye Pohamba was 69 when he became president, the late Hage Geingob was 73 and President Nangolo Mbumba was 82.
‘Colonial mechanism’
Just a week ago, Amupanda accused the government of misleading the public on the issue of the veterinary cordon fence, commonly known as the ‘red line’.
He claimed that Cabinet’s recent announcement of a new feasibility study on the removal of the red line is nothing more than a costly repetition of work already completed a decade ago.
This after Cabinet approved a phased approach to lifting restrictions imposed by the red line and announced that its feasibility study is set to be conducted over the next two years to assess the potential impacts of removing the fence.
The red line, a divisive veterinary cordon established during colonial rule, separates northern communal areas from commercial farming regions, largely to prevent the spread of livestock diseases.
However, Amupanda argued that its continued existence is an outdated colonial mechanism that unfairly benefits a privileged few while excluding the majority of Namibians from accessing lucrative export markets.
[email protected]
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article