‘Steer clear of tribal parties’

KANGONGO. – President Hifikepunye Pohamba has cautioned Namibians not to be blinded by what he termed tribal and family political parties, which are established and formed by certain people.

Pohamba said before the attainment of Namibia's independence in 1990, citizens were subjected to tribal divisions by the apartheid regime.

The country thus adopted a policy of national reconciliation after this period, and as such, tribalism and name-calling are things of the past.

Addressing thousands of SWAPO members and supporters at a star rally held at Kangongo village in the Mukwe Constituency on Monday, the Head of State warned that those who are mobilizing people based on tribalism and family basis have the potential of causing conflict among different tribes, adding that SWAPO rejects such practices and cannot allow people to be misled.

He also dismissed an allegation by opposition parties that SWAPO has lost vision, and he questioned them whether building schools, hospitals and clinics, amongst others, can be called a loss of vision.

“Is it a loss of vision when you build schools? In fact, they are the ones who have lost vision,” the President charged, while calling on those who have been misled to come back home to the ruling party.

He furthermore advised members and supporters of his party not to retaliate at provocations from tribal and family political parties, saying that such provocations are only aimed at tarnishing the country’s image.

Meanwhile, the Party leader urged all eligible voters to flock in large numbers in the morning hours of 27 November to queue up and vote, and not to wait for the second day, to avoid disappointment. Over 200 people from the Kangongo village and surrounding areas attended the rally.