Crunch time for AR

Mathias Haufiku - Ogone TlhageWINDHOEKAffirmative Repositioning (AR) will face its biggest structural test since inception when activists converge at Walvis Bay to discuss and adopt the social justice movement’s constitution today.AR activists are in the harbour town for a national assembly on reorganisation, institutionalisation and formalisation, where the movement’s legal blueprint will be endorsed.Analysts have warned that the movement must devise a clear road map if it is to remain relevant, especially with the arrival of new political formations such as the Landless People’s Movement (LPM) and the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), with both having extensive youth appeal.As AR prepares to celebrate its eighth birthday next week, robust discussions are expected this weekend to fine-tune the proposed constitution, with many hoping it can address teething issues currently hampering the movement.AR has not had a clearly defined leadership structure since 2014, with founders Job Amupanda, George Kambala and Dimbulukeni Nauyoma mostly calling the shots unilaterally.Talks of AR morphing into a political formation have also made rounds, but seem to remain just that.The constitution that will be adopted is expected to define the movement’s modus operandi going forward.RebirthPolitical scientist Hoze Riruako said AR has its work cut out for it in its quest to be seen as a relevant youth-orientated body.“With the coming of other movements connected to the youth such as the LPM and the IPC, one has seen the AR support base dwindle. It is ideal for AR to position itself. Before IPC and LPM, it was seen as an alternative for the youth,” he said.“This is a rebirth, going back to the drawing board and mapping the way forward,” Riruako added.AR has since its genesis enjoyed widespread support from the youth, but that has changed in recent times. The biggest indicator thus far of support loss is the 2020 regional and local authority elections, where the movement suffered a serious setback, securing only two out of the 15 seats on the City of Windhoek council.The situation was so dire that AR, together with other parties represented on council, had to swallow their pride and extend an olive branch to their nemesis - in the name of Swapo Party - and work together to wrestle control from the IPC. This despite previously repeatedly stating that “AR will never work with Swapo”.This, critics said, was a serious indictment on the movement and perhaps an indication that its support base is on a downward trajectory.Leadership fights - which saw some of AR’s most vocal activists Paulus Kathanga and Simon Amunime being axed from their positions of spin doctor and electioneering chief respectively - have also plagued the movement, subsequently pushing away sympathisers formerly hitherto under its hegemony.Road mapAcademic Ndumba Kamwanyah said the assembly should set the tone for how the movement structures itself going forward.“They have a lot of issues to deal with. My expectation is to see a clear structure. We don’t know whether they will transform themselves into a party or whether it will remain as is,” he said.Kamwanyah also weighed in on movement co-founder Nauyoma’s recent relations with Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) commissar Michael Amushelelo, in light of demonstrations the two participated in and their commercial land venture under the banner of Property Group Save Namibia.Namibian Sun understands Nauyoma’s decision to venture full throttle into the commercial property arena did not sit well with his colleagues in the movement, as some felt it goes against the social justice mantra of AR. But despite the internal consternation, he has not relented.He has seemingly cut a lonely figure in recent times and has had little involvement in AR affairs.“The assembly is important to try and unite the movement. We have seen Nauyoma associate himself with other initiatives, so we will see how it will play out, whether it splits the movement or solidifies it,” Kamwanyah said.Chapter closedNamibian Sun approached Kathanga and Amunime to find out whether they will attend today’s indaba.Kathanga said: “Unfortunately, I am not going to attend. Even if I was interested, I cannot spend the little I have on a self-made individual dying project.”On his part, Amunime said: “For me, it [AR] is a closed chapter. I am fully focused on my exams so I can contribute positively to our economy and nation-building”.No electionsAR spokesperson Kambala said at the assembly, they will “move towards formalising the movement”.“The movement has been run on an ad hoc basis... [it] is going into the space of proper structures; a new era of democracy,” he added.Kambala would, however, not weigh in on when AR would likely see activists contest for internal positions.“There is no contesting of positions. All we are doing is to structure the movement. The assembly will decide when we have an activist congress; the purpose is to determine the way forward.”

Crunch time for AR

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-18

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Crunch time for AR

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-18

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