The Asoli Progressive Party has issued a compelling call to action for Namibia’s opposition leaders, emphasising the urgent need to adapt to regional political realities and adopt successful strategies from neighbouring countries across Africa.
The party advocates for opposition coalitions or alliances as the most effective pathway to challenge and potentially overthrow ruling parties through democratic means.
In a statement, Asoli president, seasoned politician Josef Kauandenge said countries like Zambia, Botswana, Kenya, Lesotho, Mauritius, Malawi and Morocco, among others, have demonstrated that opposition coalition-building remains the only viable way to secure state power.
Kauandenge urged Namibian opposition parties to reflect critically on their long-term vision, asking, “Where do we want Namibia to be in the next 10 years?”
He emphasised the importance of shifting focus from individual party leadership aspirations to the core mission of serving the nation.
“We must move away from the glorification of presidential positions within our parties and remember why we established these parties; their primary purpose is to serve our people, not personal or factional interests,” he said.
He underscored that the prestige associated with being party presidents is insignificant when compared to the broader goal of serving the people and positioning opposition parties as a formidable alternative to the ruling government. Kauandenge continued, “One might ask why we started Asoli while there are other parties we could have joined. Unfortunately, in Namibia, politics seldom revolves around ideologies or manifestos. Our people rarely read these documents; instead, they choose parties based on ethnicity, personal preferences, and family connections.”
He reflected on Namibia’s political history, stating, “For the past 35 years, history has consistently shown that without an ethnic base, political parties struggle to survive. Many parties with well-crafted manifestos have failed because they lacked this crucial element, leading to their natural demise.”
Kauandenge clarified that founding a party like Asoli is not inherently problematic. “We created Asoli to bring together followers based on shared ethnicity or community ties. But once we have these members, the real question is what we can achieve with that support,” he said.
Beyond politics
He criticised the current electoral approach, noting that running for elections and securing one or two parliamentary seats with little influence on national governance is no longer sufficient.
“We must aim higher. It’s time to move beyond self-serving agendas and unite our memberships into a grand coalition or alliance capable of making a meaningful impact in the 2029 elections.”
He pointed out that the fragmented opposition over the past 35 years has failed to influence government formation or policy.
“Our presence in parliament often amounts to empty noise, as we lack the necessary state power to effect real change. It is time for opposition leaders to shed egotism and work collectively towards a grand opposition coalition. History will judge us harshly if we continue to ignore this imperative calling,” Kauandenge remarked.
The post Kauandenge’s Asoli joins continental bloc… calls for a coalition among opposition appeared first on New Era.
