Netumbo clique eyes dominance

About 172 Swapo Party candidates are on tenterhooks over their hopes to represent the party in the National Assembly next year.

It is understood underground machinations are underway to ensure that those who supported the party’s vice-president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah at the 2022 congress dominate the upper half of the party’s parliamentary list.

By yesterday evening, delegates at Swapo's electoral college - commonly known as the ‘pot’ - had not cast their votes yet due to delays in verification of candidates and printing of ballots.

The party’s deputy secretary-general Uahekua Herunga said all delays were taken care of and that delegates would vote into the night.

According to the list, delegates will vote for 94 candidates, 47 men and 47 women. Nandi-Ndaitwah will then appoint 10 candidates to complete the party’s list.



All eyes on Shifeta, Saara

A party source who spoke to Namibian Sun said all eyes will be on how well the likes of Pohamba Shifeta and Saara Kuugongelwa- Amadhila fare on the list, considering that they challenged Nandi-Ndaitwah for the vice-president position at congress.

Over the years, candidates who lost out during the vice-president race at the party’s congress hardly make it high onto the parliamentary list. When Jerry Ekandjo challenged then party president Hage Geingob for Swapo’s top position at the 2017 congress, he failed to make it to the top 30.

There also exist claims that party members who supported Shifeta and Kuugongelwa-Amadhila in 2022 have been getting the cold shoulder during the run-up to the weekend’s activities.

Swapo’s usual slate politics, which has gouged deep cuts through the party in the past, seems to be loosening its grip ahead of the upcoming elections, according to pro-Nandi-Ndaitwah supporters.

During the opening ceremony of the electoral college yesterday, Nandi-Ndaitwah assured delegates that “you are all my favourites”.

Unlike previous years - when factions openly fought for power - this time around, there appears to be a more uncertain atmosphere within the party as delegates loitered around - not in the usual loud and pompous ‘Harambee era’.

Even the Ndilimani songs were not as frequently blasted as they used to be.



Times have changed

During Friday’s gala dinner and Saturday’s electoral college, where delegates gathered to lobby support and finalise their candidate lists, there were no obvious signs of camps marking their territory.

A member of parliament and Swapo delegate noted that things have changed. "This time around, you don’t see people from a certain camp walking around with entitlement, claiming tables near the high table. What we also no longer see is that parties are held at House Number One, as was the case in the past when people would be invited to the president’s house and even sent us pictures to make us understand we are not part of the clique. Even tonight [Saturday], there would have been a party at someone’s house. There is still a feeling of camps, but it is motivated by regionalism and tribalism. With Netumbo, there is no outright favouritism.”

Another delegate who pushed for Netumbo during the congress told Namibian Sun that he is still not sure of a win, although he worked hard on her campaign.

“I really want the south to get a seat in parliament, but it is difficult to see what the outcome [will be]. We worked hard for the victory at the congress, but we also need to get our turn. The feeling is that we will have a fair chance,” he said.



Time to work

During the opening of the electoral college, Nandi-Ndaitwah told delegates that the entire country is looking at them as the ruling party that holds the power, which means they have a huge responsibility to bear. “The task before us is not easy. As your leader, I will continue to tell you that you are all my favourites, but this difficult task before us must be done in the spirit of comradeship and nation-building for social and economic justice to be realised in our country. In everything we do, we must be guided by our Swapo Party basic principles,” she said.

“Today is momentous and pivotal, undoubtedly. Namibia awaits with great anticipation the revelation of the 96 candidates who will form the Swapo list to the National Assembly,” she said.

She also urged the delegates to be mindful that not all of them can make it onto the list, but that that should not make them turn on each other.

“I would therefore like to urge you all not to feel aggrieved and contemplate forming groups or factions within the party when an election outcome is not in your favour. Yes, we all want to win, but that is not possible. However, one thing we must be aware of: To be nominated to stand as candidates at the electoral college is a high political achievement, [which should] be celebrated, as you are recognised as one of the national leaders. Contestation must not divide us after it is over,” Nandi-Ndaitwah urged.

“We must remain united and spare our energy for the big battle where we will face our opponents on 27 November,” she added.



Can’t fathom it

President Nangolo Mbumba said he cannot fathom the idea that a party like Swapo - with a deep-rooted and extensive history - would lose the elections.

“It is, however, up to us all to work hard. Victory does not come on a silver platter; you have to fight for it, you have to sweat for it,” he said.

“Unless you want to give it up. I have never seen someone give up power voluntarily,” Mbumba added.

He urged delegates to ensure that Swapo maintains its mandate to rule the country for the next five years.