Theofelus is one of us - NUNW
The National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW) has justified fielding information minister Emma Theofelus to the ruling party electoral college, also known as the 'pot', as one of its six candidates next month.
Theofelus, who never served in any party structures, was appointed to parliament by late president Hage Geingob as deputy information minister and subsequently promoted to information minister by president Nangolo Mbumba earlier this year.
Swapo will hold its electoral college to elect its candidates, when hundreds of party parliamentary hopefuls will vie for a spot on the ninety-six-member list.
According to NUNW secretary-general Muniaro, there is nothing untoward about nominating Theofelus, who is a paid-up member of the Namibia Public Workers Union (Napwu), which in his view qualifies her for the ticket.
“She was a Napwu member, and she never relinquished it, so there is no reason to say she cannot be coming through NUNW. She is still a paid-up member,” he said.
The remaining NUNW delegation to the electoral college includes Olivia Shinana, Justina Jonas, Evans Maswahu, Jacob Nghifindaka and Muniaro.
The electoral college is seen as a tough contest for aspiring parliamentarians, given the ruling party’s 50/50 National Assembly gender representation policy.
Theofelus would not be the first to go to the electoral college on an NUNW ticket – in 2017, former Swapo Youth League president Elijah Ngurare also managed to go to the pot on an NUNW ticket.
No constituency
According to political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah, Theofelus running on the union’ ticket not only betrays the interests of workers but also shows the information minister lacks a constituency whose backing could return her parliament.
“It is not unconstitutional and it would not be the first time. What this means is she does not have support in the youth wing structures, which means she will have to scramble for support outside it. Her dilemma is that she was never in the youth league," he explained.
He added: “She is where she is because she was appointed by the late president Hage Geingob. It is not uncommon for the trade unions in this country to overlook their members and it is problematic because they are catering to non-workers, such as what we have seen with Dr Elijah Ngurare.”
Kamwanyah urged the union to focus on uplifting the living standards of its members, adding that “they seem to be disconnected with their members and are desperate to uphold their cronyism and political influence. It also suggests she does not have a constituency.”
SPYL wants youth quota
Meanwhile, coming to the party with the hope of securing 40% of the positions, albeit with little hope, is the Swapo Youth League, whose candidates are Sam Shafishuna Nujoma, Kristofina Nakanduungile, Abisai Ndjirera, Miriam Nghidipo, and Aselem Marungu.
SPYL leader Efraim Nekongo said yesterday they are satisfied with the list elected over the weekend and hope that they will make inroads as the youth and walk away with an impressive representation.
He, however, noted that they are mindful that transformation takes time and that youth representation will take some time before it reaches their desired 40% representation.
“The youth league just joined the party in identifying candidates for the pot. We wish them all the best as they join others as they contest for the hot pot. We are not in competition with the elders, but we want coexistence, and we are cognisant that the future belongs to the youth,” said Nekongo.
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Theofelus, who never served in any party structures, was appointed to parliament by late president Hage Geingob as deputy information minister and subsequently promoted to information minister by president Nangolo Mbumba earlier this year.
Swapo will hold its electoral college to elect its candidates, when hundreds of party parliamentary hopefuls will vie for a spot on the ninety-six-member list.
According to NUNW secretary-general Muniaro, there is nothing untoward about nominating Theofelus, who is a paid-up member of the Namibia Public Workers Union (Napwu), which in his view qualifies her for the ticket.
“She was a Napwu member, and she never relinquished it, so there is no reason to say she cannot be coming through NUNW. She is still a paid-up member,” he said.
The remaining NUNW delegation to the electoral college includes Olivia Shinana, Justina Jonas, Evans Maswahu, Jacob Nghifindaka and Muniaro.
The electoral college is seen as a tough contest for aspiring parliamentarians, given the ruling party’s 50/50 National Assembly gender representation policy.
Theofelus would not be the first to go to the electoral college on an NUNW ticket – in 2017, former Swapo Youth League president Elijah Ngurare also managed to go to the pot on an NUNW ticket.
No constituency
According to political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah, Theofelus running on the union’ ticket not only betrays the interests of workers but also shows the information minister lacks a constituency whose backing could return her parliament.
“It is not unconstitutional and it would not be the first time. What this means is she does not have support in the youth wing structures, which means she will have to scramble for support outside it. Her dilemma is that she was never in the youth league," he explained.
He added: “She is where she is because she was appointed by the late president Hage Geingob. It is not uncommon for the trade unions in this country to overlook their members and it is problematic because they are catering to non-workers, such as what we have seen with Dr Elijah Ngurare.”
Kamwanyah urged the union to focus on uplifting the living standards of its members, adding that “they seem to be disconnected with their members and are desperate to uphold their cronyism and political influence. It also suggests she does not have a constituency.”
SPYL wants youth quota
Meanwhile, coming to the party with the hope of securing 40% of the positions, albeit with little hope, is the Swapo Youth League, whose candidates are Sam Shafishuna Nujoma, Kristofina Nakanduungile, Abisai Ndjirera, Miriam Nghidipo, and Aselem Marungu.
SPYL leader Efraim Nekongo said yesterday they are satisfied with the list elected over the weekend and hope that they will make inroads as the youth and walk away with an impressive representation.
He, however, noted that they are mindful that transformation takes time and that youth representation will take some time before it reaches their desired 40% representation.
“The youth league just joined the party in identifying candidates for the pot. We wish them all the best as they join others as they contest for the hot pot. We are not in competition with the elders, but we want coexistence, and we are cognisant that the future belongs to the youth,” said Nekongo.
[email protected]
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