Ester Mbathera
Former Affirmative Repositioning movement (AR) activist, Knowledge Ipinge who defected to Swapo on Saturday, says he never took up membership with the movement since its transition to a political party.
“I have never taken up membership with the AR,” he said.
Ipinge told the Windhoek Observer on Sunday that the leadership of the Swapo party’s vice president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, which he described as rooted in pragmatism, integrity, accountability, meritocracy, and inclusivity, significantly influenced his decision to rejoin Swwapo.
“I refuse to participate in any discussion that attempts to create a narrative of bad blood between myself, AR, and any of the activists I’ve been sharing an advocacy relationship with since 2014. Those who choose to participate in sensationalism and misinformation can do it in my absence, as my current focus is on delivering on the Swapo mandate come the 27 November,” he said.
Ipinge resigned from Swapo on 26 August 2020.
At the time, he claimed that his continued association with Swapo was irritating his morals and revolutionary consciousness.
“Corrupt South West Africa is a conglomeration of thieves and aspiring thieves and efforts to cleanse it, as we have been doing over the years, have been met with concrete and steel resistance by the corrupt elite governing South West Africa,” he said.
Ipinge said he still stands by his words.
“Despite my personal decision to actively campaign for SWAPO and reclaim the two third majority come the 27 of November, I remain an unapologetically advocate for the struggles we’ve been fighting for through activism,” he said.
He explained that in 2020 he ran as an independent candidate to protest against challenges such as corruption, poor service delivery, and violations of ethical standards and principles.
This time around, Ipinge said he will be campaigning guided by the party manifesto, the leadership visions of Nandi-Ndaitwah, and the highest degree of servant leadership as directed by the SWAPO leadership assigned to the region.
Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa said with the return of Ipinge to the ruling party that the Erongo region will be back to Swapo.
“Ernong should be reclaimed back by both the regional and local authority councillors,” she said.
Shaningwa claimed that the preparation committee for the Walvis Bay Star rally was mishandled by the officials in the local authority.
She said this is because Swapo does not have representation in the council at the moment.
Trevino Forbes, the town mayor and vice president of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), has suspended the party’s three councillors in the Walvis Bay local authority for a month.
Their suspension will end on 30 September.
Laina Shapange, a Swapo spokesperson for the Erongo region, welcomed Ipinge’s decision to join the party.
“It (his return) means a great deal to use, especially because he is a young person and knowingly that he served for the community of Walvis Bay. What great things can we have then, Knowledge Ipinge, who once took over the constituency of Walvis Bay urban,” she said.
Shapange said that Ipinge will receive the same treatment as anyone else who returns to Swapo.
“We have procedures that we have to follow on our structures, and there will be no special treatment for him,” she said.
AR’s spokesperson, George Kambala, said Ipinge’s departure does not deter the movement’s activities.
He said that Ipinge has been inactive since the start of the year.
“We remain focused. The leadership of Erongo remains intact, and they will continue to serve the region. This is not a setback, it’s small things,” he said.
Kambala wished Ipinge well in his endeavours.
He said the party expects more resignations.
“We foresaw this and he is not the first or the last to leave. The AR train will continue to drop off people at the different stations, be it at Walvis Bay, Windhoek, Okahao, or Tsintsabis. We are cruising and we are on course,” he said.
Kambala confirmed that Ipinge was a member of the party.
“He has been a member of the movement. He has an AR card, but he will obviously deny it. We started registration in 2020 formally for card-carrying members,” said Kambala.
Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanya warned Swapo not to place too much reliance on Ipinge defection to win back the region.
“Iipinge’s return to Swapo is unlikely to significantly help the party regain control of the Erongo region. While he may bring some local recognition, particularly in Walvis Bay, his political clout has diminished due to his poor showing in the last election. Iipinge lost his position as an independent candidate, which signals that his popularity has waned and that he does not have a strong electoral base to rely on,” said Kamwanyah.
He described Ipinge’s defection as opportunistic or a desperate move rather than driven by a genuine commitment to Swapo’s values or policies.
“This could lead voters to view him as lacking conviction, particularly in a region like Erongo, where issues like unemployment, housing, and fishing industry concerns are deeply felt. Without a track record of successful leadership or tangible achievements in addressing these challenges, it is difficult to see how Iipinge’s return will galvanise enough support to significantly sway the electorate,” he said.
Kamwanyah advised Swapo to focus on addressing the region’s pressing socio-economic issues and presenting credible candidates who have demonstrated a capacity for effective leadership.
“….Rather than relying on defectors like Iipinge who may not have the influence or vision to attract voters in a meaningful way,” he said.
