Andrew Kathindi
The ruling Swapo party says it is not moved by news of political parties being formed by former members and registered to contest the upcoming local elections.
This comes after Panduleni Itula, who last year contested the presidential elections, and narrowly lost to President Hage Geingob, lodged an application with the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) to register a political party. Itula was expelled from the party earlier this year for contesting as an independent candidate. Recently, Job Amupanda, leader of the Affirmative Repositioning movement also announced that the movement would register as a political organization to contest in the November regional and local authority elections.
“The Swapo party as an organization believes in its own. We are a political party established with our aims and objectives, and we are an organized party, having our own constitution, political programs according to which Swapo party runs its affairs. The establishment of any other organization cannot be something that should create worry for Swapo, whether this person is a former member of Swapo, because this is not the first time it happens,” Swapo Information Secretary, Hilma Ndinelago Nicanor, told Windhoek Observer.
In 2017, Bernadus Swartbooi left Swapo and formed the Landless People’s Movement (LPM) the following year, and subsequently the party gained four seats in the National Assembly in 2019. Nicanor said Swapo has a history of those that have left, but the party continues to be strong. “We as Swapo are aware that we have a program to develop this country and we are close to none. So, whether there are formations going to be formed or political parties, that to Swapo does not bring any change in our way of being a strong political.” She further noted that Swapo will contest the November elections with a firm believe to maintain the strength of the party.
“The manifesto that Swapo party came up with, which we always say is a contract between us and the people of this country, indicates what the party has done, what Swpao has for the future as we continue delivering services to our people. Establishment of any other political party will not bring any uncertainty to say, what now? We believe in ourselves. Swapo has a record that has proven itself as we all know in this country, that we are a party to be reckoned with.”
Former Youth Minister, Kazenambo Kazenambo, told Windhoek Observer that the creation of LPM was a result of the failure by Swapo to address the underlying frustration within the party. “Swapo has failed to transform from Stalinist style structures and rules to a social democratic party. They still believe in sloganeering, which is completely outdated,” he said.
