Stefanus Nashama
SWAPO CC resolves:
– Extraordinary Congress in 2025
– Nujoma urges support for NN
– Ivula-Ithana backs decision
– Namandje says the Swapo constitution does not force the party to have extraordinary congress
The Swapo Party Central Committee has over the weekend endorsed its Vice-President, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to stand as the sole presidential candidate for the November elections.
In terms of the Swapo Party Constitution, the CC is the highest decision-making body after the Congress.
This is done in terms of Rules 8, 10, and 53 of the Party Constitution, meaning Nadi-Ndaitwah will go to the polls uncontested at the party level.
“By virtue of Rules 8, 10, and 53 she therefore automatically became the Party’s Presidential candidate for the 2024 election there and then.
“In this respect, the CC resolved to authorise its Secretary-General, and in her absence its Deputy Secretary-General, and in his absence any other leader of the Party so authorised by the Politburo, as the authorised representative of the Party, to submit the nomination of the Party’s Presidential candidate as contemplated in section 73(4)(a)(i) of the Electoral Act, 5 of 2014,” said the party.
Swapo lawyer Sisa Namandje highlighted that the Party’s Constitution contains nothing forcing Swapo to hold an extraordinary congress before the November 2024 presidential election.
In an event such as the passing of President Geingob, Namandje said the Swapo Constitution requires the Party to call for an extraordinary congress in three months but is not confined to do so in that time.
Adding that people who have been pushing for an extraordinary congress before the 2024 elections have gotten it wrong.
According to the party, the CC meeting called was under Article 15(9) of the Party Constitution, which has also resolved the extraordinary 19 April 2025 to elect the party president who will be replacing the late president Hage Geingob.
Whoever is going to win the party presidency position in April next year, will be tasked to complete the term left unexpired by the late Geingob.
The CC further resolved that moving forward, President Nangolo Mbumba will be accorded a standing invitation for all Politburo meetings.
Founding President, Sam Nujoma, urged Party members to recognise Nandi-Ndaitwah as the sole representative of the Party at the Presidential and National Assembly elections, in November 2024, to avoid division in the Party.
Nujoma, a former Swapo President himself, further expressed that the CC meeting became a crucial event for the Party’s introspection and future planning.
“In rallying behind Nandi-Ndaitwah, Swapo not only reaffirms its historical legacy but also embraces a future where unity, pragmatism, and inclusive leadership pave the way for a better Namibia,” he said.
He stated that the implications of the CC decisions, and the conduct of any extraordinary congress, will undoubtedly shape the political landscape of Namibia, setting a precedent for democratic resilience, leadership integrity, and the collective pursuit of national advancement.
“In a time of potential divisions and uncertainties, the Swapo Party’s path forward is unequivocally defined by its commitment to unity, strategic foresight, and the leadership of Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah,” Nujoma said.
He reminded the leadership and members of their collective responsibility to uphold the principles that have sustained the party through decades of struggle and governance.
Former Swapo Secretary General Pendukeni Ivula Ithana threw her weight behind Nandi-Ndeitwah.
Swapo Party Secretary-General, Sophia Shaningwa, confirmed that the extraordinary congress would take place in April next year.
Hofni Iipinge, a member of the Swapo Politburo stated that members in the end united behind the chosen candidate.
“We believe in institutions, functions, and processes. The CC is the highest decision-making body. Therefore, Swapo CC has spoken, we had a smooth transition, we came out happy and no thin blood,” he said.
However, some lawyers and legal experts met the interpretation with skepticism with others ridiculing it. A lawyer who chose to speak anonymously stated, “Calls means you should not hold in 3 months. Just call it? It is ludicrous. Meaning you can have it even in three years. If you want. There is a reason why that provision is there, to cater for an event which arises and which creates a leadership vacuum in the Presidency. What are these comrades drinking?”
Prominent Windhoek based lawyer, Kadhila Amoomo took to social media stating, “the Swapo Party Constitution was butchered and buried yesterday. Swapo is now in a space where the dissenting voice will be dealt with ruthlessly. There is a silent fear in Swapo now. The kind of fear that does not accommodate opposing views. Tread carefully or you will see.”
