By Kuvee Kangueehi
Windhoek
While all eyes are set on the Swapo Party Congress later this month, the DTA of Namibia has quietly been preparing for a central committee meeting to be held next year.
The central committee meeting of the DTA is the highest decision-making structure of the party and is set to elect a new leadership for the party with the positions of president, vice president, chairperson, secretary general and deputy secretary general all up for grabs.
Although it has been very quiet on who will be contesting for the position of president, early indicators suggest that the race for the presidency will be between the incumbent Katuutire Kaura and the youthful parliamentarian McHenry Venaani.
Speaking to New Era last week, Kaura said he would stand again for the position if he is nominated. Kaura who has already served two terms as the DTA president said his party is very democratic and anybody is free to contest and campaign for any position in the party.
He said his party since its inception had five presidents already and this is proof that the party has matured in terms of internal democracy.
Herero leader, Clemens Kapuuo, who was assassinated on March 27, 1978, was the first DTA President.
He was replaced by the Chief Minister of the Ovambo government, Cornelius Ndjoba, who resigned in October 1980 and was later killed in a landmine explosion.
Peter Kalangula then became president but walked out of the DTA in February 1982 to set up the Christian Democratic Action (CDA). In the late ’80s the DTA settled on Herero Paramount Chief Kuaima Riruako after independence, while Mishake Muyongo became acting president until it became clear that Muyongo was backing the separatist cause of Caprivi in 1999.
Kaura, who appears to have a firm grip on the presidency of the party, replaced Muyongo. Despite creating the impression that he will only serve the current term and then retire, he is now showing signs of a change of heart.
Venaani, who unsuccessfully challenged Kaura for the position at the last central committee meeting, is taking a cautious approach this time.
Venaani did not only lose out on the presidency but also failed to retain his position of secretary-general and did not gain a top position in the party leadership, and his parliamentary position came under question.
Despite a smear campaign against Venaani since his challenge for party presidency, he remained a popular DTA parliamentarian who was widely admired by people outside his party.
Rumours were rife that Venaani was on the verge of joining the ruling party, Swapo and the DTA executive at an earlier meeting demanded that he clears the air regarding the rumour.
Venaani yesterday said he would accept any position he is offered by the party. He said he has not been tipped for any position or nominated yet, but will think about it if he gets nominated.
He said he has always been willing to serve the DTA and will continue to do so in the future.
The central committee meeting is scheduled for next year March or April. The DTA is also expected to launch its 2009 National Elections Manifesto at that meeting.