RUNDU – The Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) in the Kavango East region said it would this year make sure that there is an infusion of young blood vying for positions in the upcoming regional and local authority elections.
Regional secretary Anselm Marungu made this statement during SPYL’s first regional youth dialogue held at Rundu on Saturday.
The theme of the regional youth dialogue was ‘Bridging the political gap between the youth and elders in the party’. “We already started discussions with structures such as the regional executive committee and SPYL district secretary for Rundu Urban constituency to motivate a number of capable young people who are ready to assume positions of leadership come elections,” Marungu said when asked by this news agency if there was a likelihood the region will see young candidates taking part in the elections set for November. “I must be frank, we want young people in the regional and local authority elections this year. Because the Affirmative Repositioning will bring in a young person, the Independent Patriots for Change will bring a young person, and the Rundu Concerned Citizens Association will also bring a young person,” said Marungu.
He said if the ruling party brings in an elderly person the possibility of losing could be there against other political parties who will bring in young blood. The regional secretary said young people have to also understand that not all of them can become leaders at the same time and that democratic contests cannot be warfare.
Marungu called on the young people to forge a united front by supporting young candidates if they want to be successful in their efforts towards youth empowerment and get closer to bridging the political gap between them and the elderly.
Meanwhile, he announced that the SPYL will soon at a different platform release the names of those potential young candidates who will contest in the upcoming elections.
The candidates that will take part in the elections must, however, serve in the party structures in order for them to qualify to stand as candidates, he noted.
– Nampa