Stefanus Nashama
Ambrosius Kumbwa, the president of the All People’s Party (APP) urged the media to be fair and balanced when reporting events related to political parties.
He made the call while he was referring to the party’s fourth National Congress, which took place in Rundu last month without the presence of any journalists.
“Despite our invitations, no media representatives attended our National Congress,” he said.
Kumbwa was speaking at the party’s press conference in Windhoek on Monday.
He confirmed that only Rundu-based journalists reported on the congress.
Kumbwa said the lack of media coverage of all political parties’ activities raises questions about the commitment to a balanced and fair media landscape.
“Elections in Namibia are a crucial national event, and media houses play an essential role in ensuring that all political parties have an equal opportunity to communicate with the public,” he said.
He added that true support for multi-party democracy requires more than just words.
“It demands action and representation,” he said.
He said the congress not only reviewed and endorsed amendments to the party constitution, its code of conduct, and ethics policy but also elected a new leadership team.
The new APP leadership consists of Kumbwa as president, Linus Muchila as vice president, Faustinus Wakudumo as national chairperson, deputy national chairperson Christiana //Gowases, Venitus Marius Goraseb as secretary general, and deputy secretary general Annastasia Mbathera.
He said the congress elected a representative central coordinating committee comprising 15 males and 15 females.
Kumbwa added that the party has finished electing its representatives for the parliamentary list in September.
The APP will launch its manifesto at Rundu on 5 October.
He urged the media not to be selective when covering the party’s events.
The APP has been in turmoil since the passing of Ignatius Shixwameni, its founding president, on 21 November 2021.
Erastus Shuumbwa has been acting as president ever since but was expelled from the party and was suspended on 23 May while the party’s former secretary general, Vincent Kanyetu went on to start his own party.
