Stefanus Nashama
After eight years of existence, the Swapo Party School continues to operate without accreditation from the Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA).
According to Charles Mubita, the Rector of the Swapo Party School, the accreditation process with the NQA and a twinning agreement with the University of Namibia was unfortunately interrupted due to the impacts of COVID-19.
However, Mubita announced that the process to finalize accreditation with the NQA has now resumed, and the school aims to successfully complete it before the end of February 2024.
During the weekend, the school celebrated its second intake graduation ceremony, where 69 students graduated with certificates and diplomas in political science.
Aside from accreditation, Mubita clarified that the school is exclusively open to Swapo party members and not the general public.
“The school aims to be a centre of excellence in developing the skills and knowledge of party cadres to ensure meaningful cohesion, develop Swapo cadres well-versed in the party’s history, philosophy, and ideology, and prepare future leaders within the community, party, and government. Therefore, the school is only open to Swapo party members,” he stated,
Mubita further explained that candidates are selected from various party structures, including regional structures, the central committee, the Head Office, party wings, and affiliates, as well as Parliament (both National Assembly and National Council), sister parties, and other progressive movements with similar ideologies.
Qualifying factors include academic qualifications, recommendations from relevant party bodies, ten years of uninterrupted Swapo party membership, good standing with the party, and a clean criminal record.
According to Mubita, the school’s training begins with leadership orientation and induction, covering leadership traits, mindset change, critical thinking, and understanding Swapo party legal instruments, including the constitution, political program, rules and procedures, and code of conduct.
He added that all enrolled students attend these modules.
The curriculum for certificates includes English for Official Communication and Computer Literacy, as well as subjects such as Physics, Geography, History of Namibia, The Birth and Evolution of the Party, Civic Education, Food Security, Health, Water Sanitation, Social Well-being, and Progressive Movements.
The diploma program includes Philosophy, Economic Geography of Namibia, Political Economy and Economic Policies, International Peace and Namibia’s Foreign Policy, and Research.
Mubita clarified that students do not pay for these courses; they attain their qualifications free of charge.
The school also has an ‘Outreach Training Programme’ with centres in all 14 regions, offering the same courses, thereby reaching a broader membership of the Swapo Party.
The Swapo Party School was inaugurated in 2016, with courses commencing in 2018.
