The first anniversary of the historic founding of the RDP on 17th November, 2007, is fast approaching. Since that historic day, the RDP has made an impact on the political landscape of Namibia.  In the time since the formation of the party, activists and supporters have been busy with the recruitment process. The groundswell of Namibians, young and old, black and white, flocking to join or support the party, has been overwhelming and heartening, a clear indication that our people want change.

In an unprecedented move, Namibian opposition parties contesting the Tobias Hainyeko Constituency by-election, joined forces to boycott the elections, citing irregularities in the entire electoral process from the start. These irregularities included informing the electorate of the supplementary registration process after this had closed; not informing opposition parties where objections could be made; not providing a voters’ list on time. When opposition parties pointed out these flaws and requested a postponement of the process and a fresh start, they were met with an arrogant refusal by ECN Director, Moses Ndjarakana. Three of the four opposition parties participating in the by-election, Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP); Nudo of Namibia and Republican Party (RP), subsequently took the historic decision not to participate in the election.  Rather than be accomplices to the undermining of democracy in Namibia, the three parties withdrew and called on their members not to vote. The low voter turn-out and the results of the election, are a clear vindication of the opposition political parties, as the press statement signed by the opposition parties states: