Ester Mbathera
Swapo Party vice president and presidential candidate for the 2024 elections, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, has defended her party’s recent fundraising campaign, which raised over N$16 million at a gala dinner.
This came in response to media headlines labelling the event as “Democracy on Sale.”
Speaking on Monday after the party’s electoral college, also known as the POT, Nandi-Ndaitwah questioned the media’s portrayal of the event, saying that the party operates transparently.
“We are a democratic and open party. We organised our gala dinner and people transparently, willingly came, and they made those donations,” she said.
Nandi-Ndaitwah questioned why the media chose such headlines.
“Follow other democratic countries, and you will see how candidates are raising money openly. Are big companies selling their democracy by giving money?” she asked.
The event, which saw contributions from prominent business figures, corporations, and foreign entities, has drawn criticism from some who argue that Swapo’s influence could be bought by corporate interests.
Nandi-Ndaitwah refuted these claims, asserting that the donors support Swapo’s mission to maintain peace, stability, and ethical governance in Namibia.
“Why, when Namibians feel that Swapo is a party that will maintain peace and stability in this country for them to do their business, for them to live in peace? A system that is going to be transparent, ethical, run with integrity, and serving everybody. Those who are giving the money to Swapo want to protect that true democracy that Swapo is having,” she said.
Nandi-Ndaitwah added that the fundraising practices within Swapo have always been transparent and open to scrutiny.
She invited critics to audit the companies that have made donations to the party.
Nandi-Ndaitwah confirmed that the party has accepted the donation and the names of the donors are known to the public.
“We cannot sell this country, not Swapo, not under the leadership that is in this room. It will not happen,” she said.
Nandi-Ndaitwah also called on anyone else who wishes to donate to the party to do so but should not expect any special treatment or favours in return.
“The only thing you get is democracy and processes and institutions that are going to be respected,” she said.
Many current parliamentarians did not make it to the POT.
These include minister of justice, Yvonne Dausab, rural and urban development minister, Erastus Uutoni, minister of education, arts and culture, Anna Nghipondoka and her deputy Nathalia Goagoses, labour minister, Utoni Nujoma and his deputy, Hafeni Ndemula, minister in the presidency, Christine //Hoebes, deputy defence minister, Hilma Nicanor, mines and energy deputy minister, Kornelia Shilunga, deputy minister of works and transport, Veikko Nekundi, fisheries and marine resource deputy minister, Fylvia Makgone.
Nandi-Ndaitwa named Fenny Tutjavi (22) as one of her ten appointees to the party parliament list.
She joins the likes of former Swapo Party youth league secretary, Elia Ngurare and former member of parliament, Alfeus Naruseb. Other appointees include Swapo youth league secretary, Ephraim Nekongo, prime minister Saarah Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, Dino Ballotti, Indileni Daniel, Ruth Masake, Linda Mbwale, and Erastus Haitengela.
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila expressed her gratitude for the nomination.
“I will give it my everything as I have always done, and hopefully I will help to take Namibia to the destination that we want. A prosperous Namibia that is united and peaceful,” she said.
Balloti, a former teacher and banker, said his appointment came as a big surprise.
“I think my immediate situation is a bit unclear, but I am very excited to serve Namibia in a different capacity. We will take it one step at a time,” he said.
The former mayor of Lüderitz received the most votes (179) on the female list at the POT, while Modetust Amutse, a former journalist and current deputy minister of information, received the most votes on the male list.
Governors have also made it to the final list of 72.
Hardap governor, Salomon April came in at No. 38, Kunene Marius Sheya is No. 42, Kavango West Governor Sirka Hausiku is at 42, James Uerikua of Otjozondjupa is at 50, and Erongo regional governor Neville André at No. 60.
Regional and local authority councillors also made it to the list.
Swapo will launch its election manifesto on 14 September.
Nandi-Ndaitwa tasked the prospective parliamentarians to campaign rigorously and ensure that the party regains its majority in parliament.
The party currently has 63 seats in the National Assembly.
