Republican Party (Namibia)

The Republican Party ( _de. Republikanische Partei) is a political party in Namibia, based among the white minority. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4006405.stm Q&A: Namibia votes] BBC News, 12 November 2004] Henk Mudge is its President and its sole representative in the National Assembly. Prior to the 2004 parliamentary election, the Republican Party was part of the Democratic Turnhalle Alliance (DTA). It was revived as an independent party in 2003 and won 1.9% of popular votes and 1 out of 72 seats.

The Republican Party was founded by Dirk Mudge in 1977Christof Maletsky, [http://www.namibian.com.na/2003/july/national/03E8606CFD.html "RP plans comeback to politics"] , "The Namibian", August 4, 2003.] and joined the DTA in the same year.Petros Kuteeue, [http://www.namibian.com.na/2003/august/national/03EE91D459.html "DTA threatens to take Henk Mudge to court"] , "The Namibian", August 21, 2003.] In mid-2003, the Republican Party revived itself as an independent organization. Hardap Region Governor Pieter Boltman resigned as party leader, opposing the party's moves to separate itself from the DTA, in July 2003, and he was succeeded by Henk Mudge,Lindsay Dentlinger, [http://www.namibian.com.na/2003/july/national/03E4670BBA.html "'Communication breakdown soured RP-DTA relations'"] , "The Namibian", July 24, 2003.] Dirk Mudge's son. DTA President Katuutire Kaura denounced the moves to separate the Republican Party from the DTA, saying that Mudge acted unilaterally and illegally. Kaura claimed that Mudge wanted to create a party solely for "previously advantaged" minority Namibians, but Mudge denied that the Republican Party would be a party exclusively for whites.

Mudge stood as the Republican Party's candidate in the November 2004 presidential election, receiving 1.95% of the vote and placing sixth. [ [http://www.eisa.org.za/PDF/eu200403nam.pdf "ELECTION UPDATE 2004, NAMIBIA"] , EISA report, number 3, December 10, 2004, page 9.]

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