OMUTHIYA – The proverbial Namibian political ground is pregnant and ready to deliver victories for Swapo and Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah in November’s Presidential and National Assembly elections, a confident Armas Amukwiyu asserts.
The outspoken Swapo coordinator for the Oshikoto region made these remarks in an interview with this reporter on Sunday afternoon.
The interview focused on several thematic issues, including Swapo’s electoral prospects, the African National Congress’ (ANC) election performance which saw it lose its grip on power, and Swapo’s campaign strategy.
One thing was apparent to Amukwiyu.
“For the first time in the history of Namibia and the Swapo Party, Swapo has presented a female presidential candidate.
And our community, our people and society have accepted her, and are excited. They can’t wait to go to the polling stations and cast their votes in favour of comrade Netumbo,” Amukwiyu said.
For him, victories for both Swapo and Nandi-Ndaitwah, who has come to be affectionately known as ‘NNN’ in political circles, are certain.
Asked what Swapo’s selling point ahead of the elections is, he said the party will continue to deliver services expeditiously.
“Our selling point is not a new chapter. We have already done what we have been doing. When comrade Netumbo comes in, with the leadership of the Swapo Party in terms of the new Members of Parliament, collectively with the leadership of the central committee, we shall continue what we have been doing.
We have ears and eyes to see what is to be done in order to improve where we need to improve,” he noted.
“Swapo knows and understands the socio-contemporary challenging issues. Let me say we need to improve on the provision of housing, serviced land, water provision and electricity. We have issues with education and training. All these things we are already doing. All we need to do is speed up the processes in order to answer the immediate needs of our people”, he continued.
Moreover, Swapo leaders are eager to listen to the plight of Namibians.
“We just need to make resources available within our means to make sure that the youth’s needs are met. We must answer at the right time. We must not delay. We need to make sure that education and training are key so that our young people are prepared to take up the responsibility and deliver services that our community needs,” he buttressed.
Despite large contributions to the gross domestic product (GDP), only a small portion of these revenues currently flow down to local communities.
Namibia remains one of the most unequal societies in the world.
“The other challenge that we have been facing as leaders is the gap between the haves and have-nots, as well as issues confronting the youth and elders. But there is a programme in place, and as you can see in the central committee of Swapo, in Parliament, in local authorities and in regional councils, young people are now in the mainstream of leadership. They are the ones who are going to make sure these services are delivered because they understand what needs to be done,” Amukwiyu stated.
ANC
The ruling party’s Oshikoto coordinator also took time to unpack the recent electoral performance of the ANC.
The ANC’s 30-year grip on South African political power has ended, and the party is seeking coalition partners.
The ANC, which came to power in 1994, lost its parliamentary majority for the first time, as results from the general election showed.
They secured just over 40%, a far cry from the 57.5% they won five years ago.
The party also lost its majority in two of the nine provinces, while the opposition Democratic Alliance retained control of a third.
Amukwiyu attributed the performance to the ANC’s failure to address internal squabbles.
Swapo and the ANC are sister organisations.
“It’s an unfortunate situation. We have seen that coming because it all started with the comrades in the ANC fighting each other, and they were unable to reconcile and solve their problems amicably.
So, these are the results of internal ANC politics; the infightings,” he diagnosed.
But he is confident the ANC will wake up from its slumber.
“It’s a lesson learned. I hope, going forward, the ANC will be able to find time to reconcile among themselves,” he continued.
He does not see Swapo suffering a similar fate.
“In terms of the repercussions for Swapo, I think we are slightly different in terms of how we deal with our internal issues. Swapo has had its own situations where comrades are not understanding each other, internal conflicts, but we were always able to reconcile among ourselves,” he said.
He added: “I don’t know how what happened in South Africa would impact Swapo and the election outcome this year. As we speak right now, the majority of Swapo leadership speaks with one voice.
Of course, you have other minority voices who have different views. But we only have one candidate, which is a female candidate, comrade Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. We have only one party, Swapo. And I am sure we will emerge victorious. I am sure our percentage in terms of performance will improve.”
Last month, three party members threatened to drag Swapo to court after their request to hold an extraordinary congress on or before 4 May, was not entertained
They believe the party’s constitution has been violated.
“The party had time to hold an extraordinary congress, as prescribed by the party constitution. But the leadership failed to comply with the constitutional requirement to convene an extraordinary congress within three months from the date the presidential position became vacant,” Reinhold Shipwikineni said last month.
The Swapo presidency became vacant following the death of president Hage Geingob on 4 February 2024.
Shipwikineni said his intention to take the leadership to court is driven by his pursuit of justice.
Amukwiyu, however, is unperturbed by the threat.
“That is a non-starter. The party has already pronounced itself. We have one candidate, and her name is Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah,” he reiterated.
Elections
In November, Namibia’s political system will be tested again when the country holds its most crucial election since the dawn of democracy in 1989.
So far, the electoral brawl is expected to see Nandi-Ndaitwah going toe-to-toe against official opposition leader McHenry Venaani, her former comrades Panduleni Itula (IPC), Bernadus Swartbooi (LPM), and land activist Job Amupanda (AR). It will also be another attempt for the highest office in the land for Mike Kavekotora (RDP), unionist Evilastus Kaaronda (Swanu), Epaphras Mukwiilongo (NEFF), Ally Angula (independent), Hendrik Gaobaeb (UDF), as well as veteran politician Lukato Lukato (National Democratic Party), who are all expected to appear on the ballot paper later this year.
The general voter registration process is currently ongoing, where all eligible voters are expected to register afresh in order to vote. The last day for registration is 1 August 2024.
(Armas)