Chaotic SPYL congress ends in Netumbo’s favour

Perceived supporters of Swapo vice-president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, chiefly Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) secretary Ephraim Nekongo, emerged victorious at an emotive elective congress held at Ongwediva over the weekend.

Nekongo, who is believed to be a staunch supporter of Nandi-Ndaitwah ahead of this year’s Swapo congress, retained his position unopposed, as did his deputy, Christine Haindaka.

The outcome maintains the momentum from last week’s results at the Swapo Oshana regional conference, where Nandi-Ndaitwah’s supporters triumphed against those perceived to be supporters of Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila.

Kuugongelwa-Amadhila’s supporters are not worried about the results of the SPYL congress or that of the mother party’s regional conference in Oshana, saying the prime minister is well ahead overall.

Not worried

The Swapo congress, slated for November this year, will elect a candidate to replace President Hage Geingob as head of state when his term ends in 2025.

Swapo will field that candidate in the 2024 general election.

"We lost Oshana and Hardap in terms of people who voted at regional conferences, especially the regional coordinators. "But if you look at all the other regions, with the exception of Erongo, which is yet to have its conference, the successful candidates are Saara supporters," a Kuugongelwa-Amadhila supporter told Namibian Sun.

Nekongo has previously been coy about his links to Nandi-Ndaitwah, saying congress candidates have not yet been determined. Nandi-Ndaitwah, the country’s deputy prime minister and international relations minister, has publicly stated her desire to make a bid for the top position – saying she will serve if called upon to do so.

Agendas

In his acceptance speech yesterday at Ongwediva, Nekongo took a swipe at senior party leaders, saying they should leave the youth alone and not drag them into their political fights.

His re-election dashed the hopes of Willem Amutenya, who wanted to contest the secretary’s position but was told he could not.

On Friday, Amutenya enlisted the services of lawyer Kadhila Amoomo in his push for the candidacy, but this came to nought.

He also wrote a complaint to the Swapo central committee and politburo, but to no avail.

Amutenya is considered to be a Kuugongelwa-Amadhila supporter.

Nekongo said: “Leave us alone with your agendas. If you are going to run as president, vice-president or secretary general, do it but leave us alone. You are causing division in this party. The party is being destroyed by you, the leaders.”

Nekongo also used the platform to attack the media for what he termed “fake news and driving of agendas”.

“You, the media, you caused so many distractions. You reported on things and do not give some of us a platform to respond,” he said.

Voting for the new central committee of the youth league commenced at twelve midnight on Saturday and ended in the wee hours of Sunday. - [email protected]

Here are the members of the new SPYL central committee.

Male

1. Moses Sikerete

2. Norman Nanuseb

3. Benhard Wakudumo

4. Kleopas Nekundi

5. Christoph Sikosi

6. Marius Sheya

7. lifo Jekonia

8. Marungu Andreas

9. Elwin Gariseb

10. Willem Amutenya

11. Tomas Aipanda

12. Jeremia Nghiwanwa

13. Ndjizera Ndjizera

14. Petrus Hatupopi

15. Toivo Nanghonga

Female

1. Iyaloo Shivute

2. Emilia Uupindi

3. Rauna Nuuyoma

4. Getrude Ndara

5. Lisette So-oabes

6 Shake Ivaloo Tangi Shivute

7. Secilia Haufiku

8. lleni Shilongo

9. Loide Hakaala

10. Lydia Jason

11. Agnes Mukuve

12. Lucia Nghilalulwa

13. Kristofina Nakanduungile

14. Sharonice Busch

15. Martha Martin