WINDHOEK – In a pre-election change of fortune and morale-booster the DTA welcomed a former Congress of Democrats (CoD) MP into its ranks.
DTA president McHenry Venaani yesterday welcomed Elma Dienda into the party at a press conference at the DTA headquarters in Ausspannplatz.
Dienda said the youthful setup of the DTA’s leadership attracted her to the party, adding that she did not join the party because she wants a parliamentary seat.
“I have worked together with comrade Dienda during my time in parliament and I trust she will be an asset to the party,” said the DTA president Venaani.
Venaani said his party would continue to reform and increase the party’s political agenda by bringing leadership of strategic importance.
Venaani indicated the party would continue receiving members from other political parties, adding that there is a countless number of potential members waiting to be received.
“As you can see, the DTA is not only focused on the internal squabbles, but we are looking at the bigger picture,” bragged the youthful politician.
“The party does not have people linked to colonialism anymore, they are all out, the people who are running the party are comrades,” said Dienda.
She said she was without a party since her departure from the CoD, “but after the new leadership was elected, I knew where to go”.
“It is a leadership of young people, and I thank the veteran leadership of the DTA for allowing the youth to take over. I do not have a problem or see anything that will stop us from working together.I want to be part of people who can take this country forward,” she said.
The 49-year-old politician said she has been analyzing the local political arena while deciding which political party to join.
“I am not here for a seat in parliament, but rather to help the DTA transform the country,” she said.
Dienda, who is a teacher by profession, represented the CoD in the National Assembly from 2004 and 2009.
She said women must stop being traditionally attached, adding that they must work together to move women forward.
“I am here because I want the DTA to take over the leadership of this country,” Dienda said.
By Mathias Haufiku