Swartbooi's chosen ones announced, Amushelelo withdraws
Activist knew about nomination, party says
The party has denied claims that Amushelelo was nominated without his knowledge.
The Landless People's Movement (LPM) has revealed its parliamentary list, with activist and party member Michael Amushelelo landing in 31st place. Amushelelo, however, shocked all and sundry when he pulled out of the race to parliament, saying he's ‘not after handouts’.
"I remain a committed and dedicated member of the movement. I have, however, withdrawn my name from the list as I was not granted an opportunity to earn my name on the list. I refused to be 'wheel-chaired' into a parliamentary list as if I am not capable of making it on my own accord," he said.
LPM yesterday quashed talks that Amushelelo was added to the presidential nominees list - which is compiled by party president Bernadus Swartbooi - without his knowledge.
The party respects and accepted Amushelelo's decision, LPM spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa said, adding that LPM "will consult the election officer and determine the way forward before the list is submitted to the Electoral Commission of Namibia". He stressed that Amushelelo was aware that he was being considered for the presidential nominee list.
Meanwhile, party insiders claim Amushelelo’s decision to reject the nomination was allegedly driven by the fact that he was too far down the list. To this, he retorted: “No matter what the position would have been, I would still have [withdrawn]".
The other presidential nominees are Utaara Mootu (4th on the party's parliamentary list), Duminga Ndala (6th), Ivan Skrywer (10th), Labazana Kohima (13th), Alfred Goliath (16th), Justine Klein (17th), Eric Mubonga (19th), Liliane Kahuika (22nd), Lazarus Kairabeb (25th), Eileen Tjirimuje (28th) and Mervin Vries (34th).
Youth representation
Over the weekend, Swartbooi said although the party hoped to see a 71% youth representation on the list, it was only able to achieve 45%, not considering members who are between 36 and 40.
"Had the decision been up to just one person, it would have been easy to attain, but this was a collective effort from members and leaders of the party. Our desire to have 71% youth representation on the party list was never inspired by tokenism and window-dressing, it had to do with the youth and the capacity they bring to the table. Some of our young people felt like they had to step down to contest in the regional and local authority elections where they believed they could first grow and escalate their political career to a national level," he said.
Swartbooi added that if not for this decision, the party could have had 80% youth representation. "We don't want to do what other parties are doing by placing individuals without any necessary experience in a system where they may fall flat and faint early from politics."
He said in the top 10, there is 50% youth representation via Mootu, Ndala, Melody Swartbooi (8th), Guame Stephanus (9th) and Skrywer. Also joining the top 10 are Swartbooi, Aina Kodi (2nd), Dawid Eigub (3rd), Eneas Emvula (5th) and Edwart Hiangoro (7th).
Vacant position
Earlier this year, Swartbooi's second-in-command Henny Seibeb resigned from the party to rejoin Swapo, and his position as deputy leader and chief strategist remains vacant.
"Filling the vacant position will be conducted next year, as the party will focus on the national and presidential elections," Simataa said.
LPM currently has four seats in parliament.
"I remain a committed and dedicated member of the movement. I have, however, withdrawn my name from the list as I was not granted an opportunity to earn my name on the list. I refused to be 'wheel-chaired' into a parliamentary list as if I am not capable of making it on my own accord," he said.
LPM yesterday quashed talks that Amushelelo was added to the presidential nominees list - which is compiled by party president Bernadus Swartbooi - without his knowledge.
The party respects and accepted Amushelelo's decision, LPM spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa said, adding that LPM "will consult the election officer and determine the way forward before the list is submitted to the Electoral Commission of Namibia". He stressed that Amushelelo was aware that he was being considered for the presidential nominee list.
Meanwhile, party insiders claim Amushelelo’s decision to reject the nomination was allegedly driven by the fact that he was too far down the list. To this, he retorted: “No matter what the position would have been, I would still have [withdrawn]".
The other presidential nominees are Utaara Mootu (4th on the party's parliamentary list), Duminga Ndala (6th), Ivan Skrywer (10th), Labazana Kohima (13th), Alfred Goliath (16th), Justine Klein (17th), Eric Mubonga (19th), Liliane Kahuika (22nd), Lazarus Kairabeb (25th), Eileen Tjirimuje (28th) and Mervin Vries (34th).
Youth representation
Over the weekend, Swartbooi said although the party hoped to see a 71% youth representation on the list, it was only able to achieve 45%, not considering members who are between 36 and 40.
"Had the decision been up to just one person, it would have been easy to attain, but this was a collective effort from members and leaders of the party. Our desire to have 71% youth representation on the party list was never inspired by tokenism and window-dressing, it had to do with the youth and the capacity they bring to the table. Some of our young people felt like they had to step down to contest in the regional and local authority elections where they believed they could first grow and escalate their political career to a national level," he said.
Swartbooi added that if not for this decision, the party could have had 80% youth representation. "We don't want to do what other parties are doing by placing individuals without any necessary experience in a system where they may fall flat and faint early from politics."
He said in the top 10, there is 50% youth representation via Mootu, Ndala, Melody Swartbooi (8th), Guame Stephanus (9th) and Skrywer. Also joining the top 10 are Swartbooi, Aina Kodi (2nd), Dawid Eigub (3rd), Eneas Emvula (5th) and Edwart Hiangoro (7th).
Vacant position
Earlier this year, Swartbooi's second-in-command Henny Seibeb resigned from the party to rejoin Swapo, and his position as deputy leader and chief strategist remains vacant.
"Filling the vacant position will be conducted next year, as the party will focus on the national and presidential elections," Simataa said.
LPM currently has four seats in parliament.
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