WINDHOEK– Swapo Vice President, Dr Hage Geingob, has appealed to white Namibians to join the ruling party, saying it is a “multiracial and not a tribal party.”
Geingob was addressing the party’s leadership in the Khomas Region during a meeting on Saturday. “We want more whites to join the party and we will address this issue in our manifesto this year,” said Geingob, who will be Swapo Party’s presidential candidate in the November presidential elections. “Tell your friends to also join the party. Next time when you come to a meeting do not leave them behind,” Geingob told a white woman, who attended the meeting replete in Swapo Party colours. He said the ruling party is not going to make anyone feel left out. “People were saying Swapo will never be ruled by a Damara or a non-Oshiwambo person, well here I am. What do they have to say now. We have shamed all those who wished for the downfall of the party,” said Geingob. He also praised the Oshiwambo-speaking party cadres. “Although they are the majority in the party, they do not discriminate against the minority.” He called for internal democracy in the party to ensure victory during the upcoming national general elections.
He said as soon as he returns from his official trips in Cuba and China, he will travel to all corners of the country to interact with the party’s regional leaders. “I was invited by China and Cuba, from there on I do not want to travel anywhere else but in all 14 regions, not to hold rallies, but rather town-house type of meetings so that I can interact with the leadership in the region,” he said.
On tribalism
Geingob said there are ominous signs indicating that tribalism is rearing its ugly head in the country again. “I was so angry with my very good friend [Lazarus ‘Gazza’ Shiimi], whom we sponsored on a trip and he was saying he is an Owambo in New York, my God! While you have a chance to say Namibian in New York. These are small things, but they indicate something that is happening,” said Geingob.
He said Oshiwambo-speaking people despite being in the majority do not exclude other minority Namibian tribes. “Therefore we must really praise the Oshiwambo people for being inclusive,” he said. “There are signs indicating we are going back to the Bantustan era and this must be stopped and we must go back to one Namibia one nation,” he said.
“There is nothing wrong with belonging to a tribe, the problem starts when you think your tribe is the most important, Geingob explained. “For tolerance in a multicultural society, we have to listen to all our people. I know sometimes we are intolerant towards other tribes, but we need to change our mindset,” stressed Geingob.
By Mathias Haufiku