Erstwhile forex trader-turned-politician Michael Amushelelo, who recently dumped the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters following their deregistration for non-compliance, has joined the Landless People’s Movement.
A flamboyant young man who once promised his followers in the forex trading business huge returns on their investments, Amushelelo or Stokkie, as he is affectionately known, has now become a self-styled messiah wherever and whenever Namibians feel oppressed.
To the surprise of many, his unorthodox and unconventional approach has been yielding results.
Some say he has rendered labour unions useless, while others say his presence has made youth leagues of established political parties irrelevant.
It remains to be seen if Amushelelo’s purported love for his countrymen is genuine, or just another self-serving agenda to buy public sympathy.
What is evident, however, is that he is loved and loathed in almost equal measure.
POWER
The self-proclaimed ‘people’s general’ founded the People Organised Working for Economic Reality (POWER), a party that died a natural death before it was registered.
In 2022, Amushelelo and his fellow activist, Dimbulukeni Nauyoma also formed the Black People Economic Emancipation Association, shortly after their release from detention.
The same year, he joined NEFF until he left the party to battle its fate in the courts of the land.
For him, change is inevitable.
“Unfortunately, I have to move on, I am not a tree,” Amushelelo said at his press briefing yesterday.
He, in the same breath quashed insinuations that his is a political opportunist.
“I am not a flip-flopper. I am a man of principles, and I can’t compromise on my principles,” Amushelelo said.
His decision to quit NEFF, he said, was prompted by the party’s deregistration and noncompliance with the law.
“Their deregistration is a simple result of the incompetence of the treasurer or people who were supposed to make sure that audited statements are given on time to ECN,” said the activist.
He added that he was merely a foot soldier and was nowhere close to the party’s financials.
Moreover, Amushelelo also said when he was a member of NEFF, he has not benefitted materially.
In fact, has lost more as he was always being arrested for his activism.
“Who had to spend seven months away from their family in prison due to activism, only I have done that,” he said.
Having learnt his lessons from NEFF, he said at his new party, leaders must be ready to be held accountable and ensure their affairs are in order.
“We must also be able to hold people accountable, otherwise the goal is that we continue helping our people and enjoy the fruits of independence,” he said.
Activism
Known for being rebellious and radical in his activism, Amushelelo said he remains the same person and will continue doing the same work in his new political home.
His name is synonymous with controversy, perpetual arrests, and relentless fights. If he is not shutting down a shop over labour conflicts, he is somewhere organising a protest or mobilising masses to occupy offices or unoccupied houses.
“Nothing has changed, it is just a change of vehicles. Still, expect to see the same Amushelelo: very radical, outspoken,” he said, metaphorically adding that a political shapeshifter moulds to fit any container, just as water takes the shape of whatever vessel it fills. “The fight continues, and I will continue fighting for land for our people and so forth,” he said.
Flaws
Despite Amushelelo’s hardcore activism for the rights of the poor, he too is not without flaws.
The once upon a time forex trader, is facing over 300 charges for a Ponzi scheme in which he was allegedly involved.
The charges they jointly face include money laundering, conducting an unauthorised banking business and conducting a Ponzi scheme, which is a contravention of the Banking Institutions Act.
His assets were seized, leaving the “investors” in his schemes out in the cold.
As if that is not enough, he and Nauyoma started a housing scheme called ‘Property Group Save Namibia’.
Through the initiative, the youthful activists promised to deliver affordable housing and shorter repayment to Windhoek’s desperate residents.
At the onset, the initiative that raised eyebrows, with some quarters questioning its legitimacy.
For instance, a one-bedroom house is priced at N$195 000. This amount is to be repaid over 10 years, at no interest rate. A 10%, however, deposit is required according to one of their adverts, while two and three-bedroom houses range from N$600 000 to N$800 000.
Again, this initiative has not delivered on its promise, while Namibians have pumped their hard earned money into it, hoping to get a roof over their heads.
New Era understands Nauyoma has distanced himself from the project, leaving Amushelelo with the burden.
Some investors that New Era spoke to said only a few people were reimbursed while hundreds of others feel “crooked”.
Asked what the latest is as far as Property Group Save Namibia, Amushelelo blamed banks and the City of Windhoek for not approving their project.
“Our housing models are radical, unfortunately, the cartel in terms of the banks is not ready for this type of model and simply trying to destroy the property market,” he justified.
He added, “You cannot tell me that in 1990, a house cost 30% but 34 years later, it costs N$2 to 3 million.”
“This is absolutely greed and capitalism and that is why some of us that are radical and want to change things are not allowed to change things because we are going to disrupt those who are currently eating,” said the vocal activist.
Of the about 200 individuals who are said to have pumped money into the scheme, most are said to have invested N$60 000.
Constitutional right
At the time of his announcement, Amushelelo still had not met the LPM leadership nor had filled in his membership application form.
However, he was optimistic that his membership will be welcomed.
“Article 17 allows me to have any type of political activity which allows me to affiliate with any political party of my choice,” he said.
He was right.
Later in the day, LPM on their media WhatsApp group announced Amushelelo’s arrival.
The Bernadus Swartbooi-led party embraced Amushelelo.
“It is indeed true. He just took up membership in the LPM. It’s official,” an elated Duminga Ndala, the movement’s youth leader wrote.
Approached for a comment, the LPM spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa said LPM supports everyone’s freedom of association.
“If he is interested in joining the party, just like any other Namibian, he will be awarded with that freedom to join a party of their choice,” he said.
Those who join the movement, Simataa hastened to say, must align with LPM’s values, structures and principles.
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