Jefta McGregor Gaoab
I am making inferences from the directive dated 02 December 2025, issued by the Office of the Secretary General of the Swapo Party to the Regional Coordinator of the Swapo Party.
The directive pertains to the deployment of the elected regional and local authority councillors.
I acknowledge that the mighty Swapo party has its own constitution that comprises rules and procedures which every member should subscribe to and abide by.
However, on the other hand, I am equally disappointed when the same constitution, its rules and procedures are changed at will to appease a certain narrative or an agenda at the expense of the party and the electorate.
The party constitution, though it is explicit and unambiguous, is frequently applied selectively or simply disregarded entirely for political expediency. This has created a dangerous environment, particularly among party leadership, where individual agendas and self-interest routinely override the collective interests of the party and its members and followers. In some instances, constitutional rules and procedures are deliberately manipulated to advance certain agendas and narratives that do serve the party’s best interests.
To further contextualise the matter: politics has many definitions, interpreted differently by various authors and political scientists. However, those in positions of power. Particularly those in unchecked authority often exploit these interpretations to deceive and manipulate the uninformed, serving their own interests rather than those of the people they lead.
According to political scientist Harold D. Laswell, politics is defined as “who gets what, when and how”, meaning it is fundamentally about the distribution of resources and power among people. David Easton describes politics as the “authoritative allocation of values”, emphasising the role of authority in determining what society prioritises.
Sometimes we hear about “office politics”, “church politics”, “football politics” and the like. This reflects the reality that politics is everywhere. Simply put, politics is also best described as a “dirty game”, a term that captures the scheming, power struggle and self-interests that so often overshadow the pursuit of the common good.
For the purpose of this article, I will adopt the cynical view of politics, where it is defined as a pejorative for dishonest practices, “playing games” for personal gain, or excessive manoeuvring. Many leaders practise this form of politics to achieve specific outcomes at the expense of the electorate.
Over the past fifteen years, I have closely observed political manoeuvrings and scheming playing out in Otavi following every regional and local authority election.
This is particularly evident through the so-called bottoms-up approach, where footsoldiers with connections to the Swapo Party Head Office push calculated narratives and agendas for personal relevance, all at the expense of the Party and, more broadly, to the detriment of Otavi’s local governance.
What I find deeply troubling is that after every regional government and local authority election, senseless directives are issued to regional leadership prescribing who must occupy which position. This practice is wrong, wrongly disguised under the banners of “continuity” and “stability”, terms that are loosely used and abused. It is clear that dubious consultations, whether by phone or in person, took place between the Swapo Party Otavi branch leadership, the regional leadership and the Office of the Secretary General, resulting in the questionable deployment of councillors at the Otavi Local Authority Town Council.
It must be remembered that these individuals campaigned under the umbrella of the Swapo party banner and drew support from party cadres, opposition members, and unaffiliated voters alike. Therefore, elected members must be allowed to make decisions independently, free from undue political interference through so-called directives.
How does the secretary general, seated comfortably in her air-conditioned office in Windhoek, issue senseless directives imposing on people in communities like Otavi without proper justification?
Politics has evolved, and the electorate can no longer be taken for granted. The imposition of candidates has proved detrimental to the party in the past. There are many examples across various towns where such interference proved disastrous, giving rise to capable Swapo members going independent and winning, while imposed candidates cost the party dearly.
Current and future secretaries general must stop meddling and imposing preferred candidates for political expediency. Capable, elected leaders must be given the space to determine positions among themselves.
To the electorate of Otavi, whatever you tolerate, you will never change. Your tolerance levels have been too high for too long. Enough is enough. These senseless directives must end, and what is unacceptable can no longer be accepted.
In conclusion, I congratulate all elected Swapo and opposition councillors and urge them to set aside political differences and work together for the development of Otavi as true sons and daughters of this town.
*Jefta McGregor Gaoab is a resident in Otavi and a Swapo member.
