Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) lawmaker Hidipo Hamata has come out swinging, pushing for the party’s current top six leaders to be retained without breaking a sweat.
While PDM leaders have denied pushing for the status quo to be retained as reported by this publication, he becomes the first PDM senior figure to make this position known publicly.
In a statement issued late yesterday, he said “As the PDM approaches the upcoming national congress in the Zambezi region, I strongly urge all delegates to endorse the current top six leaders for another term. The forthcoming election is a pivotal moment for the movement, and continuity in leadership is essential to navigate these challenging times with the necessary experience and strategic insight”.
The PDM elective congress and manifesto launch is slated for Katima Mulilo this weekend.
The top six leaders are party leader McHenry Venaani, his deputy Jeniffer van den Heever, secretary general Manuel Ngaringombe, his deputy Linus Thobias, national chairperson Diederick Vries and party stalwart Nico Smit.
Meanwhile, another group, composed of ejected former members of parliament, is vying for top positions in the party.
Former lawmakers who were removed from the National Assembly in 2022, and replaced with those elected in 2019, have since regrouped to mount a complete takeover.
They are Geoffrey Mwilima, Esmeralda !Aebes, Johannes Martin, Kazeongere Tjeundo, Timotheus Shihumbu and Pieter Mostert.
Further, two other female candidates, seasoned legislator Elma Dienda and Opuwo mayor Rosa Mbinge-Tjeundo, are eyeing the vice presidency position.
“Our current leadership has guided PDM through complex political landscapes, steadily growing our influence and strengthening our internal structures. This is not the time to disrupt the momentum we have built. Rather, it is a moment to consolidate our gains, and prepare for the battles ahead. The stakes are high, and the most prudent course of action is to ensure that we are led by those with proven experience, and a deep understanding of our movement’s goals and challenges,” Hamata said.
New Era has also been reliably informed that some power circles are scared their party might suffer the same fate as that of the National Unity Democratic Organisation, which failed to hold its intra-party elective congress, despite spending around N$1 million, as factions and internal conflicts are simmering ahead of the congress.
Essentially, the party’s top six leaders automatically make it high up on the party list for Parliament.
“The top six leaders are the ones who collectively ensured that the president [Venaani] runs unopposed. It now looks like they want it all. If we are a democratic organisation that we claim to be, let all positions be contested,” an insider said during an earlier interview.