Swapo campaigns head to ‘vital’ Ohangwena

Ohangwena Region, considered a crucial constituency in the context of the Swapo Party congress, will be a hive of activity when candidates grace the area tomorrow.Two candidates for the vice-president position, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and Pohamba Shifeta, hail from the region and are thought to have an upper hand against Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, who hails from Omusati.Namibian Sun understands there are plans to ‘snub’ Kuugongelwa-Amadhila in Ohangwena, and Omusati is said to be closely watching the developments so that they can ‘retaliate’ in similar fashion when campaigns head to the western region.“This whole thing has taken a regional and tribal shape in recent weeks. There are people in Ohangwena who are preparing to humiliate Saara and Omusati is prepared to do the same against particularly Netumbo,” a party insider said yesterday.The campaigns head to Omusati on 29 October.‘Much better’Swapo executive director Austin Samupwa yesterday said the campaigns this time around are “much better” after new campaign rules were put in place, requiring all candidates to address congress delegates together to sell their ideas. No public rallies are allowed.“It [campaign strategy] leaves no room for all the negative things witnessed in the past elective congresses. It is refreshing to see all the nine candidates lining up in front, especially during the opening session. It truly reflects the true spirit of unity and camaraderie of the Swapo Party,” he told Namibian Sun.No undeclared donationsIn the run-up to congress next month, the ruling party said it will not accept any undeclared donations - a move aimed at preventing a repeat of 2017 when its congress was allegedly financed with Fishrot money.After the Fishrot scandal broke in November 2019, it sparked huge controversy, which left the ailing liberation movement with the mammoth task of having to clean up its image.At the time, party leaders used all propaganda machinery at their disposal to sanitise the party from claims that it knowingly benefitted from Fishrot.At one point, secretary-general Sophia Shaningwa even invited the media to visit her office to inspect the party’s records after claiming that “Swapo did not receive Fishrot money”.With the party having burnt its fingers in the past, it now wants to avoid falling into the same pitfall in future.Samupwa said a newly-adopted policy will ensure that all donations are declared.The policy is aimed at fighting alleged corruption as well as to keep proceeds of crime out of party coffers as Swapo prepares to name its president and candidate for the next national presidential polls.Million-dollar businessInsiders who spoke to Namibian Sun said the party spends anything between N$6 million and N$8 million for its congresses, of which a huge chunk emanated from Swapo-linked business personalities.“In 2021, a policy was formulated in order to regulate donations. Any donation, in kind or monetary, must first be declared at the office of the Swapo Party secretary-general before being accepted. This policy is being implemented,” he said.He added that “the party will fund the upcoming congress through its own financial resources, as usual”.While the Swapo-led government has over the years repeatedly denounced corruption in Namibia, several functionaries accused of the very same crime continue to drag the party’s name through the mud, with some already convicted and others currently awaiting trial.But despite this, the party has always maintained that it should not be blamed or be made to pay for the actions of individuals.‘Exciting times’Samupwa remains confident of the new campaign rules, especially those which compel candidates to traverse the country together during campaigns.“For us, it is exciting times because of the path of unity that we have chosen to follow in terms of our internal campaigns. We believe that Swapo Party will emerge stronger than ever before. This is the main aim for choosing this mode of campaign,” he said.He added that there have been no major campaign challenges thus far.This despite various lobbyists representing some of the political bigwigs who have thrown their hats into the ring crying foul that their competitors are using dirty tricks, especially in the form of faceless social media campaigns aimed at tarnishing candidates.

Swapo campaigns head to ‘vital’ Ohangwena

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-15

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Swapo campaigns head to ‘vital’ Ohangwena

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-15

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