Tomorrow, over 90 members of the Swapo central committee – the highest decision-making body between congresses – will converge in Windhoek to nominate and eliminate aspirants for the top four positions up for grabs at what appears to be another jaw-dropping elective congress.
The sprawling saga involving a possible N$12 million illegal immigration scheme concocted by a Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) councillor is shaking the core of Namibia’s official opposition.
Defence minister and Swapo vice presidential hopeful Frans Kapofi says the issue of genocide remains a thorn in Namibia’s flesh and must be addressed in earnest, expeditiously.
The long-drawn-out confusion over the infamous ‘Helmut amendments’, which appeared to have limited prospective candidates’ chances of contesting for the top four positions in Swapo, has seemingly been put to rest.
...an insight into the rise of Frans Kapofi
...still harbours hope for higher office
...blasts 'Helmuth amendments'
Incumbent Swapo vice president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah will have to defend her position against Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, who will be contesting for power in the ruling party for the first time.
Evidence is beginning to surface that the scheme orchestrated by the Katutura Central constituency councillor Vezemba Rodman Katjaimo to ship Namibians to Europe was never intended for the Commonwealth Games but instead to seek asylum.
In the face of mounting pressure and speculation to endorse current Swapo vice president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as his preferred candidate, party leader President Hage Geingob has refused to budge.
For Swapo to survive and win back the popular vote, service delivery should be the foundation of all its strategies going forward, re-elected Swapo Party Youth League secretary Ephraim Nekongo has said.
For the ruling party to reclaim its glory days, its next secretary general must be energetic, upright, intimately understand Swapo and be able to transcend beyond petty party politics in the interest of the country.