SWAKOPMUND – Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa has urged the new leadership of the Swapo Party Women’s Council to not only recruit women for the party but also recruit their husbands and sons.
Shaningwa made the call during the opening of the women’s council central committee meeting that took place on Saturday in Swakopmund.
Party members from all regions attended the meeting.
The secretary general highlighted the importance of recruiting new members for the party, saying the new leadership should ensure that the recruitment of new members becomes a priority and should be intensified. “This party must be strong. This party must be a force to be reckoned with and therefore you should not only recruit your fellow women. Make sure that you recruit our men, sons, husbands and every young person. Everybody should be included to become members of the party. We need that,” Shaningwa said. She added that men must also pull up their socks to strengthen the party through aggressive recruitment of members.
Shaningwa also appealed to the central committee to live up to the constitutional mandate of the party while at the same time seeking and aligning the activities of the SPWC to the ideological pursuit of the party. Also touching on women empowerment, Shaningwa highlighted the importance of empowering the youth, especially young women, as they will take over the ranks of the party.
“We must seek understanding of the party’s ideology, policies and political programmes and must defend the party and its legacy.
“We should be able to give the transmitting belt to the young ones to take the party further by taking up leadership and lead this country. We should strive to identify, nurture and mentor talented young women into leadership for its own sake and sustenance of the party as an organisation. Swapo must lead in this regard,” Shaningwa appealed.
The party also used the opportunity to swear in the newly elected committee members during the meeting, as the swearing-in ceremony could not be held due to the Covid-19 regulations.