Carika Middelberg

[Audio] SWAPO faces it's toughest test as Namibia heads for crucial elections

Voters in Namibia will go to the polls on WEDNESDAY (27 November) to choose their next president and parliamentary representatives. The elections come after President Hage Geingob died in February and was replaced on a interim basis by his deputy, Nangolo Mbumba. The election could mark a historic shift in the country's political landscape if the ruling SWAPO party, in power since independence in 1990, loses control of the presidency or parliament for the first time. The president is directly elected by voters and needs to garner more than 50% of votes to win. Support for SWAPO dropped from 87% in the presidential election in 2014 to 56% in 2019.To look at these crucial elections Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Carika Middelberg, an analyst from the Centre for Risk Analysis

[Letter] GNU central to ANC leadership

The ANC will hold its next leadership conference in 2027, when delegates will deliberate on who to elect to the top positions and the party’s national executive committee (NEC).

[Letter] Infrastructure investment lags population growth

One of the great challenges facing the government of national unity (GNU) is the declining quality of infrastructure. Finding new sources of funding for investments in, as well as maintenance and building of, infrastructure should be one of government’s top priorities.

[Letter] GNU’s survival despite areas of contention indicates strength

But some issues, such as National Health Insurance, could cause bigger ructions and possibly hard splits

[Letter] SA citizens have low quality of life

Challenges facing consumers a reflection of the state of governance in SA.

[Letter] Lax biosecurity a threat to agriculture

No or limited government funding is available to implement control measures.

[Letter] Anti-graft guarantees

Sanral wants private sector funding, but it should first provide guarantees of improved financial management.