EDITORIAL: Netumbo has a chance to do things right
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has the opportunity to rewrite history by becoming the first female president of Namibia and Swapo. And, importantly, she has the opportunity to do it right and without giving anyone a chance to question the legitimacy of her ascendancy.
A glance at her entire life journey tells a story of bravery and great fortitude. She defied adversity to achieve the pole position she currently holds to potentially lead the ruling party and the country.
That defiance is best illustrated by the events of 2022, when Swapo president Hage Geingob took an off-ramp from the established tradition where the party head endorses their vice-president.
She trounced those perceived to be Geingob’s preferred candidates by a country mile. There is no evidence to suggest that her march to the promised land of political milk and honey would grind to a halt if she subjected herself to the necessary processes, such as the constitutionally-obligatory extraordinary congress that Swapo must hold after the sad passing of Geingob.
If she ever wants to stamp her authority on the country and Swapo, Nandi-Ndaitwah must be seen to have legitimately ascended to those positions.
There are henchmen around her whose primary goal is to board her ship by any means necessary, and they are prepared to trample upon the Swapo constitution to achieve their parochial goals through her. After all, their names would not appear anywhere when those who violated party statues are pointed at one day.
A glance at her entire life journey tells a story of bravery and great fortitude. She defied adversity to achieve the pole position she currently holds to potentially lead the ruling party and the country.
That defiance is best illustrated by the events of 2022, when Swapo president Hage Geingob took an off-ramp from the established tradition where the party head endorses their vice-president.
She trounced those perceived to be Geingob’s preferred candidates by a country mile. There is no evidence to suggest that her march to the promised land of political milk and honey would grind to a halt if she subjected herself to the necessary processes, such as the constitutionally-obligatory extraordinary congress that Swapo must hold after the sad passing of Geingob.
If she ever wants to stamp her authority on the country and Swapo, Nandi-Ndaitwah must be seen to have legitimately ascended to those positions.
There are henchmen around her whose primary goal is to board her ship by any means necessary, and they are prepared to trample upon the Swapo constitution to achieve their parochial goals through her. After all, their names would not appear anywhere when those who violated party statues are pointed at one day.
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Namibian Sun
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