Allexer Namundjembo
Opposition leaders say national events such as Cassinga Day and Workers’ Day are being treated as political party platforms instead of state occasions.
The concern follows the presence of the Ndilimani Cultural Troupe at Workers’ Day in Opuwo and the Cassinga commemoration in Outapi.
Although both days are public holidays and state events, the use of a group linked to Swapo has raised concerns.
Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaan said the days have become political mobilisation events.
“Cassinga Day and Worker’s Day are observed as Swapo mobilisation days to garner support. There is nothing national in their character and postulation,” Venaani said.
He said that while the days are public holidays, they reflect party interests more than national unity.
“It is really a shame after so many years that we failed to build the nation and we want the party to lead. Mee Netumbo’s legacy will be tested on her political agenda of uniting the country, and for now she is in the woodwork of partisanship,” Venaani said.
Affirmative Repositioning (AR) spokesperson George Kambala said Cassinga is a national moment of remembrance for all Namibians.
“The presence of the Ndilimani Cultural Troupe is not the issue in itself. The concern is balance. When national commemorations begin to reflect a narrow political identity, and key national institutions like the Namibian Defence Force, Namibian Police Force, and Namibian Correctional Service are absent in the program, it raises legitimate questions about representation,” Kambala said.
He said there is a contradiction in how the creative sector is treated.
“You cannot claim to uplift the sector while repeatedly defaulting to politically aligned or familiar acts at national platforms. That sends a very clear message to young people in the industry, and it is not a positive one,” he said.
Kambala said national events should show diversity and unity.
“Our position is simple. These events must remain national in both form and spirit. Inclusive, balanced, and forward-looking. Cassinga calls for unity. It must never be reduced to selective symbolism,” he added.
At both events, there was no presence of bands from the Namibian Defence Force, Namibian Police Force or Namibian Correctional Service.
Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah said Cassinga Day should unite the country and not reflect one party.
“The absence of bands from the Namibian Defence Force, Namibian Police Force, or Namibian Correctional Service weakens the sense that this is a state occasion. Those institutions symbolise the Republic, not a party, and their visibility would reinforce neutrality and collective ownership,” he said.
He said the choice of performers blurs the line between party and state.
“Over time, such patterns can deepen the idea that national events are partisan spaces, which is unhealthy for a plural democracy. It was a poor signal. A national commemoration should be carefully balanced, visibly inclusive, and clearly separated from party identity,” he said.
Over the weekend Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) said Cassinga Day belongs to all Namibians.
“It is a national day of mourning, of reflection, and of unity. We are deeply concerned by the recurring tendency to transform commemorative days such as Cassinga into partisan political events. When the fallen are invoked only to serve the interests of one organisation, we diminish their sacrifice. We dishonour their memory. The men and women who perished at Cassinga did not die for a party, they died for Namibia. For all of us. For every tribe, every region, every tongue, and every generation.”
The party called for the day to remain inclusive and open to all Namibians.
The publication sent questions to Hilma Nicanor, the spokesperson of Swapo, but she did not respond at the time of publication.
