OTA split: Nudo at a crossroads

With little over a year to go before the national polls, one of the country’s oldest political formations faces an existential threat due to ongoing factional battles that have taken centre stage at the Ovaherero Traditional Authority (OTA).Senior National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo) leaders have since cautioned that the party risks not only losing its two seats in parliament, but also its existence if the impasse is not resolved by the time the country goes to the polls.The various chiefs within the Ovaherero community have major influence on Nudo’s politics. The party’s constitution makes provision for any traditional chief who is a Nudo member to serve on its national council, its highest decision-making body between congresses.Two factions led by Professor Mutjinde Katjiua and Dr Hoze Riruako, each claiming to be the legitimate OTA paramount chief, have thrown the traditional authority into limbo since the death of late paramount chief Vekuii Rukoro.Katjiua is a known bonafide member of Swanu while Riruako has never made his alliance to the ruling Swapo Party a secret.The party has benefitted immensely from its close ties to the OTA over the years, especially during the time the late chief Kuaima Riruako was at the helm of both the OTA and Nudo.A divided housePolitical pundits have cautioned that the split currently playing itself out in the OTA inhibits growth within the party.One such pundit is Ndumba Kamwanyah, who said Nudo will be a victim of the OTA’s factional battles - especially if a solution is not found before the elections.“A divided Ovaherero house is a minus for the Nudo party because the party relies heavily on Ovaherero people for political support."To make it worse, the president of Nudo [Esther Muinjangue] is heavily involved in that particular traditional matter, and whatever side she is on, it’s likely going to push away some people who might want to vote for Nudo.”Unfamiliar territoryTraditional leaders within the Ovaherero community have over the years had huge influence on the political affiliation of their subjects, but this time around, the party finds itself in unfamiliar territory.Factional battles, ancestral land demands and genocide negotiations are amongst the key factors that will determine who the OTA will politically align to next year.This predicament comes at an unenviable time when the party’s political performance has been on the decline, falling from 34 814 votes in 2004 to 16 066 in 2019.The party’s president has her work cut out for her as she fights to grow the support base which has been dwindling over the years.Muinjangue’s decision to join the Swapo-led government as deputy health minister does not sit well with a huge chunk of the Nudo leadership as well as the OTA. Many fear that her decision to take up the appointment is a slap in face of the Ovaherero community, which is opposing government’s involvement in the protracted genocide negotiations.The Katjiua-led faction – which has openly criticised the manner in which government is handling the genocide talks - has taken a firm position that it will not be co-opted to join negotiations spearheaded by government.A clear rift currently exists between the OTA and Nudo.The situation is so dire that the party’s secretary-general Joseph Kauandenge was prohibited from delivering a message of condolence at the funeral of the late traditional priest Absai Uetuesapi Mungendje in March at Toasis in the Aminius constituency.Kauandenge, Namibian Sun can confirm, was booed off stage by mourners who attended Mungendje’s funeral because no one wanted to listen to him.LPM linksDespite Katjiua’s Swanu ties, OTA sources have alleged that he has in the past called upon his subjects to politically align with the Landless People’s Movement (LPM).“Katjiua has not made it a secret that he wants the OTA to politically align to LPM. He made such pronouncements at Gam last year as well as at Aminius earlier this year,” an OTA chief who spoke to this publication said.Katjiua allegedly feels LPM is the only political organisation that can actively pursue the genocide talks until its logical conclusion.The OTA and LPM have forged close ties since the formation of the party in 2017, with the latter’s human rights command leader, Joyce Muzengua, serving as the vice-chairperson of the Ovaherero Genocide Foundation.Efforts to get hold of Katjiua proved futile yesterday.Neutral candidateWhen party members converge in May 2024 for Nudo’s elective congress, insiders have urged delegates to elect neutral leaders who are not part of any factions.“Only a neutral leader will ensure that the party maintains its traditional support base by uniting both factions. Most OTA followers have deep-rooted love for OTA, but to capture them, you need a leader who is seen as a unifier of both factions,” a party source who refused to be named told Namibian Sun.Another former Nudo leader said: “This situation could lead to apathy if the factional battles of the OTA are not sorted [out]. We cannot afford this as a party. If there is nothing attractive, our people will simply stay away. Nudo is traditionally connected to the OTA, so all is not lost.”CowardsMeanwhile, Muinjangue yesterday conceded that a divided OTA is not good for her party, but was quick to add that those planning to abandon the party instead of putting aside their differences are ‘cowards’.“It [the split] will definitely affect the party, one cannot turn a blind eye to it. In fact, it has been affecting the party. Nudo was established by the chiefs’ council, so it has the historical background and there is no way you can delink it,” she said.She added: “Every house has its cross. Running from something that is yours is questionable and a sign of cowardice. We must fix what is not right in our party”.While she commands huge support within the party’s executive structure, her biggest challenge will be convincing the OTA traditional councillors - many who are pro-Katjiua - to rally behind her with their subjects.Muinjangue, who confirmed that she will be running for a second term as party president next year, is hopeful that Nudo can increase its numbers and have more representation in parliament.*Additional reporting by Jemima Beukes

OTA split: Nudo at a crossroads

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-22

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OTA split: Nudo at a crossroads

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-22

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