SWAPO – Page 2 – Windhoek Observer

16 Feb

Swapo divisions re-emerge over Air Namibia

ObserverObserver MoneyFinance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi, Henning Melber, Leon Jooste, Ndumba Kamwanyah, Onurair, SWAPO

Andrew Kathindi Divisions in ruling Swapo’s party have once again resurfaced in light of the Air Namibia matter after a Swapo’s parliamentary caucus has demanded the reversal of a decision made by a Swapo-led Cabinet on the liquidation of Air Namibia. This comes as Swapo affiliated National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW) along with several other unions have planned a mass public demonstration against government’s decision to liquidate the airline this week. “This just is a sign of the party internal disarray. A significant number of higher-ranking party officials are in government and Cabinet positions. Hence it could have been…

09 Feb

Hands-off Swapo, Geingob

ObserverObserver MoneySWAPO

Staff Writer Swapo Party regional coordinator for //Kharas and member of the Central Committee, Mathew Mumbala, says the Fishrot scandal is unfairly being used to destroy the ruling party and its leadership ahead of the 2024 elections. “As a party, we have over the years relied on donations and there is know where you can tell if it’s the result of any form of illegal activity. During the liberation struggle we also used to get donations to fund the acquisition of food, weapons and various materials,” he said. “The ruling party never instructed anyone to solicit funds from Fishcor, thus…

08 Dec

PDM backtracks on Swapo coalition stance

ObserverObserver MoneyLandless People’s Movement (LPM), Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), SWAPO

Andrew Kathindi In a major clamp down, Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) has said that it is willing to form a coalition with Swapo in local and regional bodies if there is no other option, a shift from a directive the official opposition party had made earlier this month. This comes as PDM councilor in the Berseba Village Council, Valentia Motinga disobeyed her party’s directives and formed a coalition with Swapo. This resulted in her being declared chairperson of the village council, supported by the Swapo candidates. This occurred, allegedly, amid reports that an agreement had earlier been struck with Landless…

02 Dec

Talk must now turn to action

ObserverNational NewsBernadus Swartbooi, SWAPO

It is easy to sit on the sidelines and speak loudly about what is wrong. It costs nothing to loudly and rudely challenge those with power and responsibility when you have neither. With the success of the opposing parties and some independent candidates in certain areas, 2021 means the time for populist promises and brazen talking is over. To those enjoyed success at the polls: It is you in the hot seat now. Others will take your former chair from the sidelines and snipe, gripe and complain about you. Let us hope you have a thick skin. Your vociferous talk…

27 Nov

Coalitions only hope – Venaani

ObserverObserver MoneyMcHenry Venaani, PDM, SWAPO

Andrew Kathindi Official opposition party leader, McHenry Venaani says divisions among parties has costed them in some areas and going forward a coalition provides the only hope to beat Swapo in future elections. This comes as Swapo candidates have managed to narrowly edge out the opposition parties in some parts of the country, while losing strongholds in other areas, as results continue to trickle in. “That whole thing really polarized the whole election, to the point where the opposition would have garnered a combined majority,” the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader told Windhoek Observer. “We knew that the election was…

18 Nov

Going too far hurts credibility

ObserverNational NewsBernadus Swartbooi, SWAPO

The claims by the vibrant politician Bernadus Swartbooi that Swapo wants to kill him are over-the-top and challenge his credibility. Many in Namibia are depending on new firebrand politicians, including Swartbooi, to challenge sacred cows. People want them to question authority, give voice to the marginalized, and energize younger people. They are expected to force political debate into the 21st century, put the spotlight on those suffering in silence, and fearlessly call out corruption. But, statements from the Trump School of Demagoguery and Lunacy reflect poorly on the politicians who make them. Swartbooi’s ravings with no evidence or proof whatsoever…

12 Nov

Swapo must update its campaign rhetoric

ObserverNational NewsMinister of Defence, SWAPO

The spate of strange and inappropriate comments from Swapo speakers on the campaign trail is embarrassing. The crowds listening to high public officials pontificate about their voting choices at the end of this month are not the same crowds that were listening to Swapo heroes in 1989. Swapo speakers must update themselves and not be so out of date. Most of those in the crowds hearing these odd speeches were in kindergarten or not even born when such virulent, ‘anyone-not Swapo-is-an-enemy’ speeches were relevant. People in the voting mainstream don’t think like that anymore after 30 years of independence. The…

06 Nov

NUNW attacks ‘foreign’ companies

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, National Union of Namibia (NUNW), president Hage Geingob, SWAPO

Helena Johannes The National Union of Namibia (NUNW) has accused foreign companies operating in Namibia for deliberately firing workers under the guise of negative impacts from COVID-19 and poor economic conditions. They allege that this has been done to sabotage the ruling Swapo party. This comes as Swapo president Hage Geingob last month accused white Namibians of voting against the ruling party when Swapo is the author of the reconciliation policy that kept them wealthy and safe at independence. The NUNW statement was made on Wednesday when it announced its backing of the ruling party ahead of the upcoming regional…

04 Nov

PDM expelled candidate digs into party…As ECN decides on candidature withdrawal

ObserverObserver MoneyPopular Democratic Movement (PDM), SWAPO

Helena Johannes The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) former regional council candidate Hafeni Mafita has refused to apologize over racial remarks he made on his Facebook page and accused the opposition party of throwing him under the bus. This comes as PDM expelled Mafita as a member of the party on Tuesday morning, with immediate effect. The opposition party has also withdrawn him as a candidate for the John Pandeni constituency in the upcoming elections for which he was set to contest. “I have not done anything wrong. This is revenge. I am not going to apologize before the man from…

20 Oct

Geingob should not apologize…Henk must not re-write history

ObserverNational NewsNamibians, President Geingob, SWAPO

The comments made on the campaign trail by President Geingob about white voters who should be grateful to Swapo are typical campaign rhetoric. There is nothing there to get hot-and-bothered about. There is more noise about Geingob’s comments than proposals to mitigate the economic disaster on Namibia’s doorstep. Let us hear the opposition party’s viable plans to uplift the economy – that is how to win votes. It is the response by the faded politician Henk Mudge regarding Geingob’s comments that should engender an apology. Henk claims that whites do not have to thank Swapo for the country being peace-loving…