super q Middle East latest: Israeli strikes in Gaza kill more than 50 people, including kidsLawyer says ex-Temple basketball standout Hysier Miller met with NCAA for hours amid gambling probe

Daily Post Nigeria Kavena Shipanga: Namibia’s political landscape: A triumph of stability over opposition discord Home News Politics Metro Entertainment Sport Opinion Kavena Shipanga: Namibia’s political landscape: A triumph of stability over opposition discord Published on November 30, 2024 By Daily Post Staff On November 27, general elections began in Namibia. For logistical reasons, the Electoral Commission decided to extend the process until November 30. The main opposing parties entered the elections with high expectations for their results. The ruling South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) party, which has been in power since Namibia’s independence in 1990, aimed to improve on its less-than-stellar performance in 2019 when it barely managed to maintain a parliamentary majority. The main opposition came in the form of the young Independent Patriots for Change(IPC) party, led by Panduleni Itula. By the time of the elections, the IPC already held a significant number of seats in parliament and was striving not only to deprive SWAPO of its majority but also to secure the presidency for itself. While the final results are not yet known, one can already draw a clear conclusion: the opposition has failed to achieve its ambitious goals. The IPC’s election campaign can be described as a failure. This means that another African party that led its country to independence will, despite earlier predictions, likely retain the main levers of power. Notably, SWAPO has managed to do this through transparent democratic processes. The opposition’s poor results are not accidental but reflect numerous miscalculations during the campaign. This article will examine several of these missteps. The Controversial Leadership of Panduleni Itula A significant factor in the opposition’s struggles lies in the controversial personality of its leader, Panduleni Itula. Despite his support among certain social groups in Namibia, he has been embroiled in numerous scandals over the years. The election campaign was no exception. In one incident, Itula was caught in a lie regarding his connection to SWAPO. He had claimed that he was not a member of the SWAPO party, only of an organization with the same name that fought for Namibia’s independence. However, an old video surfaced online showing Itula making the opposite claim, in which he explicitly identified himself as a SWAPO member. Adding to this was another controversial statement by Itula in June, when he alleged that Namibia’s constitution was written by Western countries. This statement sparked widespread indignation in Namibia and was repeatedly debunked with documented evidence. These scandals undermined Itula’s credibility and detracted from the IPC’s attempts to present itself as a trustworthy alternative to SWAPO. Manipulation of Public Opinion The IPC’s problems extended beyond its leadership. In late November, the South African outlet IOL published an investigation revealing that the IPC had used paid commentators to simulate popular support. The investigation provided evidence of various public opinion manipulation techniques, including creating fake news, using AI-generated content to distort political realities, infiltrating opposition networks, and suppressing critical voices online. These tactics not only damaged the IPC’s reputation but also alienated potential supporters who expected integrity and transparency. Internal Conflicts and Opposition Disunity The IPC’s challenges were further exacerbated by political conflicts within the broader opposition coalition. Tensions came to a head after an interview with IPC spokesperson Imms Nashinge, in which he blamed other parties for the failures of the opposition coalition governing in Windhoek. This prompted protests from supporters of the PDM (Popular Democratic Movement), who demanded that their leader, McHenry Venaani, sever ties with the IPC. These internal divisions made it difficult for the opposition to present a united front against SWAPO, further weakening their electoral prospects. SWAPO’s Stability and Namibia’s Historic Moment While the IPC struggled with scandals and infighting, SWAPO conducted its campaign without major incidents. This stability allowed the ruling party to maintain voter confidence. As a result, SWAPO is expected to retain its parliamentary majority and continue governing Namibia. A particularly historic outcome of these elections is that Namibia will soon be led by its first female president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. Her anticipated victory marks a significant milestone in the nation’s political history, symbolizing progress and inclusivity within Namibia’s democratic framework. Conclusion Namibia’s general elections highlight the importance of trust and unity in political campaigns. The IPC’s failure to address scandals, manage public opinion ethically, and maintain opposition cohesion significantly contributed to its poor performance. Meanwhile, SWAPO’s ability to campaign effectively and avoid controversy ensured its continued dominance. The elections also underscore a broader truth about democratic processes in Africa: parties that prioritize stability and transparency are more likely to resonate with voters. Namibia’s achievement of a peaceful election cycle and the emergence of its first female president reflect the country’s commitment to democratic progress and inclusive governance. Shipanga, a veteran journalist and public affairs wrote from Windhoek. Related Topics: Kavena Shipanga Namibia’s political landscape Don't Miss Nigerian President’s state visit to France: Expectations, Opinions You may like Advertise About Us Contact Us Privacy-Policy Terms Copyright © Daily Post Media LtdFeds suspend ACA marketplace access to companies accused of falsely promising ‘cash cards’

She takes the most Christmassy Uber and the driver surprises her with a letter: “it’s creepy”

PUEBLO, Colo. — The small town of Wray, Colorado, has been waiting for a big party for more than three decades. It's time. Wray is bringing home its first football state championship in 31 years after defeating Forge Christian 48-21 in the Class 1A title game Saturday afternoon at Dutch Clark Stadium. The Eagles' undefeated season (13-0 overall) was capped off with the school's first state title since 1993. "It's awesome. You'll never find support like Wray," senior quarterback Casey Midcap said. "I love that we could end this thing with a state championship." Wray was powered a trio of touchdown runs from senior Sam Meisner, including busting free for long scores of 75-plus yards twice. "My mindset was to leave it all on the field, and I would say I did a good job doing that," he said. "Half the town of Wray is here. It just shows how special our community is." >>Watch the extended video above and see the highlights on the 9NEWS Prep Rally this weekend! RELATED: Haxtun defeats Akron for ninth state championship RELATED: Cheyenne Wells takes down Stratton to win 6-man football title RELATED: Fanscape: Dutch Clark Stadium SUGGESTED VIDEOS: Sports 9NEWS+ Watch more from 9NEWS on the free 9NEWS+ app for Roku and Fire TV. 9NEWS+ has multiple live daily shows including 9NEWS Mornings, Next with Kyle Clark and 9NEWS+ Daily, an original streaming program. 9NEWS+ is where you can watch live breaking news, weather updates, and press conferences. You can also replay recent newscasts and find videos on demand of our top stories, local politics, investigations and Colorado specific features. To download 9NEWS+ on Roku search for KUSA. To download 9NEWS+ on Fire TV search for 9NEWS. RELATED: Watch 9NEWS for free on ROKU, Apple TV, Fire TV MORE WAYS TO GET 9NEWS Subscribe to our daily 9NEWSLETTER Download the 9NEWS APP iTunes: http://on9news.tv/itunes Google Play: http://on9news.tv/1lWnC5n > Top stories curated daily just for you! Sign up for the 9NEWSLETTER to get can’t-miss stories, Next and Broncos content, weather and more delivered right to your inbox.An ASX dividend giant I'd buy over NAB stock right nowThe Indiana vs. Notre Dame matchup in the first round of the College Football Playoff is the most expensive ticket on StubHub, but it's Tennessee vs. Ohio State that's selling the fastest. StubHub spokesperson Adam Budelli said Monday that the game being hosted in Columbus, Ohio, on Dec. 21 has sold 34% more tickets than the game in South Bend, Indiana, on Dec. 20. “The expanded college football playoffs are seeing early high demand, especially as we see new teams enter the competition for the first time,” Budelli said. StubHub lists tickets for sale from official event organizers, but most of its offerings are from the resale market. Here's the ticket marketplace's average CFP first-round prices as of Monday evening: 1. Indiana at Notre Dame — $733 2. Clemson at Texas — $518 3. Tennessee at Ohio State — $413 4. SMU at Penn State — $271 Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-footballSign road reform bill, highway engineers urge Tinubu

None