Swapo Party

Swapo inaugurates 34 Think Tank members

Swapo inaugurates 34 Think Tank members

Eba Kandovazu THE Swapo Party today inaugurated its newly restructured Think Tank, consisting of 34 members, serving on a voluntary, non-remunerative basis. Secretary General, Sophia Shaningwa, says the group was appointed by the Political Bureau (PB) of the Central Committee (CC) on the basis of competency. It will provide evidence-based policy options on political and economic issues. The group will serve from 2021 to 2022. "It is therefore expected that the Think Tank timeously report to the Secretary General and the Politburo on the outcome of suggested ideas and policies for adoption and action. In the fast changing world, which…
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Hausiku declared national hero

Hausiku declared national hero

STAFF WRITER THE fact that Marco Hausiku died on Heroes Day, 26 August 2021 is not a coincidence but a clear marker of his outstanding contributions to the liberation struggle and the development of an independent Namibia. This was said by President Hage Geingob when he visited Hausiku’s residence to pay his condolences to the family on Monday. Geingob told the family the government had decided to confer on Haufiku the honour of a hero’s funeral. The family accepted the honour. “Under the powers vested in the President by article 32(3)(h) of the Constitution of the Republic of Namibia, read…
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Swapo constituency councillor could be heading out …as APP seeks eight months back pay

Swapo constituency councillor could be heading out …as APP seeks eight months back pay

Andrew Kathindi Swapo party’s Ndonga Linena Constituency councillor in the Kavango East region, Kampota Michael Shiwana, could be forced to relinquish his position. This is after the High Court ordered the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) to disclose to All Peoples Party (APP) 57 ballots that had been rejected. The APP earlier this year through their lawyer, Henry Shimutwikeni, argued that a number of ballots that had been rejected by ECN officials were actually valid. If so, they argued, this would make the APP candidate, Djami Balthazar Daniel, the winner in that Constituency. Shiwana was declared the winner in the…
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Accept reality and strategize accordingly

The ruling party did not perform at last week’s polls as it may have expected. Swapo did not ‘lose’. It still maintains a simple majority, though ground was lost. There is no need for panic within the party faithful. The short-sighted comments by party spokesperson Hilma Nicanor that accuses ‘outside’ forces of trying to unseat the ruling party are not in line with the dignity of the mighty Swapo Party. There is a time to fight hard for the hearts and minds of the people and there is a time to accept reality and strategize accordingly based on the outcomes.…
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The battle for Windhoek Mayor begins … as Swapo loses control of council

The battle for Windhoek Mayor begins … as Swapo loses control of council

Andrew Kathindi The Swapo party has lost control of the City of Windhoek in the local elections. A battle has emerged on who will be the next mayor of the nation’s capital, after new councilors are sworn in. This comes as ruling party Swapo garnered five seats on the Council, having previously held 12, while new player Independents Patriots for Change (IPC) collected four, Affirmative Repositioning (AR) and Landless People's Movement (LPM) picked up two each while Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) and National Unity Democratic Organization (NUDO) both got one seat. AR leader, Job Amupanda, who heads to the Council,…
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SWAPO mum on youth election participation

SWAPO mum on youth election participation

Helena Johannes The ruling Swapo party remains mum on its position regarding youth participation for the upcoming regional council and local authority elections slated for the 25th of November 2020. This comes as the ruling party has been heavily criticized over its policy of fielding older candidates in previous elections at the expense of the youth. Currently the party has been attacked over its decision to field 62 year old Aram Martin, a former Councilor and Member of Parliament as its preferred candidate to run as councilor of Oshakati West in the Oshana region. The Affirmative Repositioning (AR) leader Job…
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‘Good Riddance’ is not the appropriate response

Swapo Party Secretary-General Sophia Shaningwa was quoted as saying that the resignation of Affirmative Repositioning (AR) leaders and members from the party on Heroes’ Day was a relief. She said they never supported Swapo anyway. The details around that entire chapter are extensive. But, a glaring issue that remains on the table is that members of the party who disagree with the leadership are a burden to be joyfully shed. There is no internal Swapo platform to work through differences; there is only the exit door. Nowhere in the world does everyone agree with everything. That standard cannot be reached.…
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Differing perspectives within a party are a must

The Founding President declared during this weekend’s Swapo introspection meeting that he didn’t want to hear about Team Swapo and Team Harambee anymore. He feels it has become divisive. He is right. There is only one ruling Swapo party. But, that doesn't mean there should be only one Swapo idea or thought pattern. New ideas that reflect the Swapo of tomorrow can only take root if people with different points of view, openly advocate for their ideas. The final goal should be agreed by the majority with opposing points inculcated where practicable. The need to walk lock-step on all things…
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Introspection:  Will the Swapo party recognize its mirror image?

Introspection: Will the Swapo party recognize its mirror image?

Citizen Nahas Angula The Central Committee of the SWAPO-Party joined by leaders from the structures is due to meet in Windhoek from 25-26 July 2020 to conduct what President Hage Geingob describes as an introspection of its own conduct. The Party will examine itself with the view of finding out whether it still represents the interest of the broad masses of the Namibian people. The Presidential and National Assembly election results of 2019 clearly demonstrated that there is widespread feeling of disillusionment, especially among the youth, in the way the Party is running the affairs of the country. Many voters…
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Geingob instructs MPs – can they comply?

After reading the Swapo Party President’s speech to the class of MPs sitting in the current Parliament, we see a glimmer of something that has been dimmed for so long. In his well-written speech before Swapo MPs this week, Hage Geingob delivered brass tacks, internal political strategizing guidelines. His message was clear and on-point. The president’s insightful words included tactical strategies, marching orders for diligence, demands that MPs read and be informed and orders to stand together as an active party. He challenged opposition tactics and called for an end to the lackadaisical lethargy borne of 30 years of a…
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