One centre of power as Netumbo ascends to Swapo presidency

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has been formally endorsed as Swapo's president for the next two years until the 2027 elective congress.Her ascension, during a controversial extraordinary congress on Saturday, means she will command one centre of power when she is sworn in as head of state next week – leading both the party and the country.Former presidents Hifikepunye Pohamba and Hage Geingob both experienced two centres of power early in their presidencies, a situation some viewed as untenable. Pohamba assumed state power in 2005, but late founding president Sam Nujoma remained party head until the congress was held two years later in 2007.Moving up from her previous position as vice-president of the party, Nandi-Ndaitwah’s elevation was necessitated following the death of Geingob, the then party leader, in February 2024.Party leaders debated the constitutional provision that, in such a situation, an extraordinary congress must be called within 90 days. For some, this meant this weekend’s event should have taken place no later than May last year, but Nandi-Ndaitwah supporters insisted that ‘calling’ the event did not mean hosting it.Changes The extraordinary congress was initially slated for April this year, but Swapo insiders claimed it was moved to early March to avoid possible retribution against Nandi-Ndaitwah from those she may not include when announcing her Cabinet next week.“Those who are left out and have nothing to lose might have taken a chance and stood against Netumbo in April. So it was decided that the event must take place before Cabinet appointments are made," a party insider said. Many senior party leaders did not make it to parliament following last year’s Swapo electoral college and the national parliamentary election and are expected to exit government next week.Meanwhile, Swapo's vice-president position will be frozen until the 2027 ordinary congress. Namibia’s future On Saturday, Nandi-Ndaitwah said: “This extraordinary congress is born out of extraordinary circumstances when President Hage Geingob was robbed from us. As members who are representing the majority of our comrades, we must ensure we carry out this extraordinary assignment to the best of our ability in honour of our departed president and in the best interest of our Namibian people."She added: “Today, we came together to answer a call to duty, to elect a leader to reaffirm our commitment to the values of Swapo and ensure this party remains the unshakeable ground upon which Namibians will continue to stand for generations to come.”She also underscored the responsibility of party members to uphold the legacy of their predecessors through discipline, commitment and unity. “The greatest way we can honour our departed leaders is not through mere words but through action, to ensure what they have sacrificed, what they have built, what they have dedicated their lives to does not crumble in our hands. It is our duty to uphold their legacy with discipline, commitment and above all, with [the] unity that they so cherished, values that carried us through the liberation struggle into nation-building.”She noted: “It is these values that will free our people from hunger, poverty, crime and all social ills."During the proceedings, Swapo secretary-general Sophia Shaningwa officially congratulated Nandi-Ndaitwah and presented her with the symbols of authority: the party’s constitution, the Swapo flag and the gavel.“The authority is in your hands to lead our party,” Shaningwa declared.jemima@nmh-hub.com.na

One centre of power as Netumbo ascends to Swapo presidency

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-10

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One centre of power as Netumbo ascends to Swapo presidency

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-10

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