Hertta-Maria Amutenja
Swapo’s central committee has endorsed Vice President and President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as the sole candidate for the party’s presidency ahead of the upcoming extraordinary congress.
The decision was made during an extraordinary central committee meeting on 15 February.
“That Nandi-Ndaitwah, vice president of Swapo Party and president-elect of the Republic of Namibia, in conformity with the tenor and spirit of Resolution 20 of the 7th Congress of the Swapo Party, shall be presented as the sole and unopposed candidate to the extraordinary congress for her election into the position of president, to complete the term left unexpired due to the death of Geingob,” said Swapo spokesperson Hilma Nikanor.
The central committee also resolved to reschedule the extraordinary congress, initially set for 28 February–2 March, to 7–9 March to allow time for the national mourning period.
This is the first time the party’s central committee has endorsed a candidate. Traditionally, Swapo incumbent party heads endorsed their deputies to succeed them as either party or country president.
Geingob, who was endorsed by then-party president Hifikepunye Pohamba in 2012, only backed Nandi-Ndaitwah as the party candidate for the country’s presidency, not for the party presidency.
This would have allowed him to retain the party presidency until his term ended in November 2027.
She contested in the 2024 presidential elections while the party had no president.
Nandi-Ndaitwah was endorsed as the party’s presidential candidate in March 2024.
The matter was contested by party member Reinhold Shipwikineni and three others in the High Court.
In her remarks, Nandi-Ndaitwah acknowledged the role of Swapo’s founding leadership and emphasised the need for unity as the party prepares for the upcoming elections.
She reaffirmed her commitment to upholding the party’s principles and continuing its governance agenda.
She urged party members to prepare for the regional council and local authority elections, highlighting their importance in service delivery.
“The leaders we are going to field for elections at the regional and local levels are the ones who will implement our policies and programs on the ground, ensuring that the promises made in the Swapo Party Election Manifesto are fully realised,” she said.
The party also announced plans to hold a candlelight vigil and memorial service in honour of Geingob, with dates to be announced later.
