Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian
swapolatest news & developments
When the Madiba party lost its parliamentary majority in 2024 it formed a government of national unity. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy

The ANC has lost power, yet is still committed to constitutionalism

Although it no longer has an outright majority, and faces new challenges, the party has not lost its belief in democracy and the rule of law

As Namibians head to the polls, the stakes are higher than ever.

Namibia faces its toughest election yet and could trigger a runoff

Swapo, which has been in power since the country gained independence from South Africa in 1990, is likely to retain parliamentary dominance but the presidential race is uncertain

As Namibians head to the polls, the stakes are higher than ever.

Namibia elections: Can Swapo weather the storm?

There is a shift in the region away from the traditional dominance of liberation parties such as the ANC in South Africa and Frelimo in Mozambique

Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) supporters cheer in the streets of Gaborone in November as President Mokgweetsi Masisi’s party suffers a resounding defeat in general elections.  (Photo by MONIRUL BHUIYAN/AFP via Getty Images)

The beginning of the end of the liberation party era

Nepotism, graft, shifting ideologies: Southern Africa’s liberation parties have experienced historic setbacks in 2024

Children play on a dusty sports field (top) in Vingerkraal. Photos: Leon Sadiki

Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala neighbours frown at interest in ‘old robbery’

The residents of Vingerkraal village say the president often drops by for a chat without his bodyguards

‘Comrade Editor’: Gwen Lister pictured in the offices of The Windhoek Advertiser. (Photo: Courtesy of Gwen Lister/Tafelberg)

Hier kom Lister! On the ‘Comrade Editor’s’ lifelong commitment to activism and journalism

Gwen Lister’s book, ‘Comrade Editor’, weaves together a narrative from the strands of her own life, her journalism, and the wider context of Namibia’s struggle for independence

There is currently no national opposition with a credibility to mount a serious challenge for Hage Geingob’s Swapo

The enduring appeal of liberation movements

Liberation movements attracted more than half of the popular vote in their most recent parliamentary elections in many African countries

Voters in Namibia. An Afrobarometer survey found 72% turnout of the continent’s voting population. Photo: Gianluigi GuerciaI/AFP

Vote tests Swapo’s dominance

The elections come during a three-year recession, high unemployment, inequality and a fishing scandal

The last poll was held in 2014

Namibian elections: The sands are shifting – slowly

Namibia’s political stability so far has been vested in the dominance of Swapo. Those opposing its control face an uphill battle

Namibia’s President Hage Geingob was elected in 2014 after serving as prime minister for a total of 14 years. (Sputnik/Mikhail Metzel/Kremlin via Reuters)

Who’s who in Namibia’s presidential elections?

Namibia votes in a general election on Wednesday. Here are the four frontrunners

(Graphic: John McCann)

Leaders abuse governance to control citizens

The parallel regimes of new and cherry-picked traditions present a hurdle to democratic success

South Africans could face rising living and borrowing costs after inflation accelerated to 4% in April, with economists warning that fuel-driven global price shocks — not domestic demand — are complicating the South African Reserve Bank’s interest rate outlook

SANDF dismisses ‘regime change’ conspiracy

Despite the ANC considering the US army to be an enemy force,the SANDF and the US military force engaged in joint training in July

Swapo supporters in Namibia. (Jordaania Andima/The Namibian)

Letters to the editor: January 9 to 15 2015

Readers air their views on Swapo’s landslide win in Namibia, the South African Dream and using our votes to end corruption.

Namibia: Swapo sweeps elections, Geingob wins presidency

In a landslide victory and Africa’s first e-vote, Namibia’s ruling Swapo wins elections and the party head, Hage Geingob, wins the presidential vote.

Namibia’s ruling Swapo leads election results so far

Namibia’s ruling party, Swapo, is so far leading the election results in the vote counts done in six constituencies.

President Hifikepunye Pohamba’s ruling party is facing increased criticism of the slow pace of land reform

Namibian elections underway, with ruling party tipped to win

Namibians are casting their votes in Africa’s first e-vote, with some hoping for a stronger opposition.

About 1

Cronyism, unemployment and weak opposition: Namibia votes

Namibians will vote for a new president and parliament for the sixth time since the country’s independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990.

EFF spreads its wings to Namibia

The recently launched "radical" Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters has already set strong anti-homosexuality and resource management agendas.

Cuba’s President Fidel Castro

Namibia’s Geingob’s comeback paves way for Swapo moderates

Namibia’s leader seems to be preparing the ground for a new political direction for the country’s ruling party after reinstating Hage Geingbo.

Insult reflects tribal division in Namibia

Insult reflects tribal division in Namibia

A minister’s inflammatory comment about his Ovambo colleagues sparks minorities’ sympathy.