Martin Endjala
Sophia Shaningwa, the Swapo party secretary general has called on people who are predicting that the party presidential candidate, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah will fall ill before taking office, to stop.
She was defending Nandi-Ndaitwah after she allegedly collapsed while delivering her statement at a recent party rally in Otjiwarongo.
“Stop it. Leave our candidate. It must end in Otjiwarongo. You are busy discussing her and her vehicle. It must stop you witches. Leave the servant, who is here chosen by God and by the hand of man, to serve. Leave our candidate alone. Stop it with immediate effect,” she demanded.
Nandi-Ndaitwah, according to witnesses, was attended to by medics for what is suspected to be a medical emergency.
In recent months, she has been travelling the country addressing Swapo members and discussing the party manifesto.
At Otjiwarongo, she emphasised the importance of agriculture and food security.
The party has promised to prioritise food security and commits to turning around the agricultural sector.
“We are not going to plan what we have already planned and we have a strong foundation on which we are going to build in order to make sure that we serve our people to the best of our ability,” said Nandi-Ndaitwah.
Her next stop is the Zambezi region on 2 November before she heads off to Kavango East on 9 November, Kavango West on 10 November, Ohangwena on 16 November, Omaheke on 23 November and the final leg in Khomas region on 24 November.
The Swapo social media pages only uploaded a short video of Nandi-Ndaitwah delivering the speech, filling the pages with speeches from others and those who rejoined the party.
Affirmative Repositioning (AR) leader Job Amupanda accused those close to Nandi-Ndaitwah of sacrificing her for their personal benefits.
“For their interest, they are parading a 72-year-old grandmother every second day and making her walk around stadiums, making her dance while exposed to loud music, and requiring her to shout slogans and deliver speeches standing for more than an hour. In the meantime, their grandmothers are resting at home. Why are they surprised that she collapsed in the middle of her speech, as we understand?” he said.
He commended her bodyguard for their quick response in rescuing her.
