As the debate around Swapo’s 2027 intraparty elective congress takes shape, questions around the state of the party, possible contenders for key posts and internal unity have emerged.
At the heart of the debate are the vacant vice presidency, possible dual centres of power and the efficiency of the party’s grooming machinery, as veterans near exiting the political theatre forever.
To understand intricacies surrounding a Swapo congress, one of Namibia’s most defining political events every five years, New Era had a no-holds-barred discussion with former secretary general and ex-Cabinet minister, Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana.
At the onset, the former party administrator said the structures still need to authorise preparations before members can begin campaigning or declaring interest in positions.
On the processes, preparedness and readiness for the congress next year, she said that while the congress will take place next year, the groundwork must first be approved by the party’s highest decision-making structure between congresses.
The seasoned politician emphasised that the Swapo central committee (CC) – its highest decision-making body between congresses – must first deliberate on the process and then allow party members to indicate interest in leadership positions.
“Then it [CC] authorises everybody, whoever is interested in whatever position, to register their interest. Because according to the Swapo Party constitution, all the positions are supposed to be opened up for contestation,” she said. The veteran politician added that the party discourages members from campaigning before official approval is granted.
VP dilemma
One of the most pressing issues likely to dominate the upcoming congress is the absence of a Swapo vice president (VP).
The position became vacant after President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, then party vice president, assumed the role of party leader, uncontested, to complete the remainder of the late Hage Geingob’s term.
Since then, the party has not only remained without a VP but also been mum.
According to Iivula-Ithana, the absence of the party’s second-in-command is unprecedented. “As a leader of this party for a long, long time, I have been in limbo in my mind as to how we have been running the party for some time,” she said.
She continued: “I’ve never experienced a party run without the vice president or any other important position, unless somebody has passed on and there was no opportunity to fill the vacancy.” Iivula-Ithana, it appears, had more questions than answers.
“So how can a party run without a vice president? It’s incomprehensible. Because this position created anticipation of anything, because life is not in our hands,” the former justice minister said.
The ex-home affairs minister warned that leadership positions are designed to ensure continuity if unexpected developments occur. “Imagine with the passing on of Comrade Hage Geingob if there was no vice president, what would have happened?” She asked before retorting, “We are going now to call for a congress and an extraordinary congress; you know, these positions are created in anticipation of incidents that can happen without us deciding on such incidents.” She cautioned that the current arrangement leaves the party exposed should an unforeseen situation arise.
“Now we are living in a quandary where if anything happens, if anything happens – not that I’m saying something must happen, but I’m just saying if anything happens, then what?” she said. What is more, media reports have suggested that the position of VP has been frozen until the next ordinary congress in 2027. Particularly, this was a thorn in the flesh of some members, who believe it is unconstitutional. “No position shall be filled by automatic promotion or acclamation. All positions shall be contested through election by secret ballot,” party stalwart Jerry ‘Maudjuu’ Ekandjo said in an earlier interview.
“Why is the constitution being applied selectively? Why are they freezing the VP position? They are violating the constitution. You cannot reserve a position for a person. What goes around, comes around,” the veteran politician said.
At the time, party deputy secretary general Uahekua Herunga quashed insinuations that any position was put on ice.
“When do we cross the bridge? It is when we get there. So, once the position of Swapo vice president becomes vacant, then you can ask me that question. “I cannot discuss a position that is not vacant,” Herunga said. He, however, recently declined to entertain questions around the matter.
Constitutional concerns
Furthermore, Iivula-Ithana also raised concerns about the purported selective interpretation of the party’s constitution.
“It’s unprecedented. It’s something we have never experienced before, but since those who feel they are powerful enough to undermine the provisions of the constitution don’t do damage,” she said.
Processes
Beyond leadership contests, the party must first complete internal elections across its structures. These include renewals of mandates at the section, branch, district and regional levels before delegates gather for the national congress. “Well, we renew the mandate of all those who are occupying positions from the section to the branch, to the district, to the regional leadership,” she explained. “All those positions must be renewed.” Once those processes are complete, delegates will elect the party’s top leadership. “The congress that will now be mandated to elect members of the central committee, then the top four positions of the party, that is, the president, the vice president, the secretary general, and the deputy secretary general.”
Congresses
Swapo congresses have always been watershed moments.
Back in 2002, despite an endorsement by founding president Sam Nujoma, the floor was opened for potential challengers of then VP Hifikepunye Pohamba for the position.
He, however, went to that congress unchallenged. At the hotly contested extraordinary congress in 2004, when the party had to identify a presidential candidate to succeed Nujoma at the national poll, Pohamba was still challenged despite being party vice president.
That year, party vice president Pohamba saw off competition from late Swapo stalwarts Hidipo Hamutenya and former prime minister Nahas Angula in a contest which required a re-run.
2007
Four years later, the floor was once again opened for the top positions.
Reports at the time stated that Ekandjo, who enjoyed significant popularity among his comrades, was asked to withdraw from the Swapo VP position. He reportedly obliged. This then paved the way for the late president Geingob to contest for the position unchallenged.
Hage Geingob had just returned from the political wilderness, following his 2002 fallout with Nujoma. Meanwhile, no one challenged for the presidency position, despite the floor once again being opened for nomination and secondment, leaving Pohamba as the only candidate.
2012
In 2012, again, Pohamba endorsed Geingob as his preferred candidate for the VP. Geingob faced competition from Ekandjo and Iivula-Ithana. He saw off his competitors. However, in 2015, Pohamba would hastily vacate the Swapo presidency, handing over the party’s constitution and tools of power to Geingob. This, according to some insiders, was unconstitutional, as positions in the party are not inheritable. Calls then grew from certain party members to call for an extraordinary congress to fill Pohamba’s void and complete the remainder of his term. This never happened.
2017
Fast forward to the 2017 congress, which saw slate politics dominate, with Geingob’s Team Harambee going toe-to-toe against Team Swapo. Ekandjo was part of Team Swapo and once again challenged Geingob. That congress was also marred by allegations of vote-buying and election-rigging. In the end, Team Harambee annihilated its competition, sealing all top four positions and a greater chunk of central committee seats, effectively pushing Team Swapo into a state of permanent paralysis. Swapo rules and procedures, he continued, must be respected by all.
In 2022, while Geingob retained his position unchallenged, three candidates – Nandi-Ndaitwah, erstwhile prime minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila and former tourism minister Pohamba Shifeta – squared off for the coveted VP post. Nandi-Ndaitwah emerged victorious.
– ljason@nepc.com.na