ONGWEDIVA – Former People’s Liberation Army of Namibia combatants at the weekend vowed to defend Swapo from “evil forces”, while they have set sights on restoring the ruling party to its former glory. 

The former fighters, through their newly-formed Former Plan Combatants’ Association (FPCA), said they are ready to rally behind Swapo and retain its dominance. Speaking at the first-of-its-kind reunion of all ex-Plan combatants over the weekend in Ongwediva, national executive committee member Abraham Nangolo said the association strives to restore their dignity and defend the party from “evil forces”. He also said they aim to help restore Swapo’s former glory among the populace, and promote good relationships and unity among ex-combatants. “Our independence and subsequent liberty, unity and justice did not come on a silver platter and should not be taken for granted,” he emphasised. Nangolo said it is their duty to mobilise and campaign for the Swapo Party. He said those who fought for the total independence of Namibia have laid a solid foundation of unity and sacrifice.

“The onus lies with us to continue the march where they left off, to fulfil their ideas which spurred them to patriotic action,” he noted. For the past 30 years, the ex-PLAN combatants have been excluded from the decision-making body of the ruling party and all its structures. This was until last month when they formed their association, which was later recognised by the ruling party as an affiliate. Established at its founding conference in Ongwediva on 6 August 2022 when its constitution was also adopted, the association’s existence was prompted by the need for ex-PLAN combatants to unite in order to promote the welfare of all former fighters and their families as well as be involved in the nitty-gritty of the governing party.  The FPCA has joined other allied wings of Swapo such as the elders’ council, women’s council, youth league, and the National Union of Namibian Workers. 

In an interview with this reporter over the weekend, the spokesperson of the newly-formed association Charles Mubita said 30 years after the liberation struggle, they have been sidelined and locked out of their “own house”. He said the recognition of the FPCA by the ruling party is a big milestone for all former combatants.

“We have been feeling left out of our own house. We understand politics, and we have been in politics; we were not only champions of firing the guns,” he added.

In January 1970, PLAN as a military wing of Swapo also had representatives in the ruling party’s central committee (CC), and participated in the decisions and deliberations of the CC and politburo.

The military council was part and parcel of the two structures of the party until independence in 1990, and without a resolution of the congress, PLAN and the pioneers’ movement of Namibia were scrapped from the constitution of the party.

“Since then, we had no home where we could engage and discuss ideas or decisions with the party,” observed Mubita. He, however, added that with the reconstitution of the association
and the recognition from the party, they have been given a platform to be members of the CC if their candidates perform well at the November congress. And now that they have a seat at the table, the elderly cadres vowed to again fight for the relevance of the party.

He said the previous national elections where Swapo lost its overwhelming parliamentary dominance after gaining only 63 seats in the National Assembly election was a rude awakening, and it has threatened them as veteran members of the party.

The party had also performed poorly in the 2020 regional councils and local authorities’ elections, where it lost significant support in some key constituencies.

Swapo lost its grip on local authorities in Keetmanshoop, Windhoek, Mariental, Walvis Bay and Swakopmund, highlighting the declining popularity of the party that successfully led the country’s anti-apartheid struggle.  “We do not want that to happen again. The ruling party is still strong, but the last elections did not sit well with us. We are not happy. That is why we want to make sure we regain the Swapo we have known, and return it to power and retain the two-thirds majority,” noted the spokesperson.

In addition, Mubita said the ex-combatants’ involvement in politics will strengthen and enable the party to perform better in the coming general elections in 2024. Asked how they plan to retain the party’s dominance, he said they aim to mobilise the people the same way they did in 1989.

“When we were locked outside our own house, it was difficult to do these things. We want to get back to basics, and make sure we regain every support of the party by using our structures,” he explained.

“After this congress, we are going to establish structures in all regions. We will have district executives, district conferences, district coordinators and regional conferences, regional executives and coordinators.”

‘Despair’

Meanwhile, it was established at the reunion that the majority of war veterans are still living in squalid conditions and abject poverty.

Speaking at the event, former Swapo secretary general Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana said many who selflessly fought to liberate their motherland are living in despair.

In support of struggling former military veterans, she pledged funds to contribute to the welfare of those who cannot help themselves.

“The struggle seems to be continuing, and we need to emancipate ourselves. There are economic difficulties faced by almost everyone, particularly the black majority. Therefore, it is up to us to find a way of helping ourselves and one another,” said the former Cabinet minister. Iivula-Ithana also pointed out that the party is faced with challenges brought about by corruption. “Our society is being eaten at the core by corruption. Money collected for a certain reason will be used by individuals for other purposes. Our society has lost value, we have lost sympathy, we have lost love for the next person,” she stated.

She thus urged those in charge of the trust fund for ex-combatants to use funds contributed sparingly, and to share them with those who really need it. “The money that will be collected should be really used by those who cannot help themselves. Let us give a good example for others to follow,” said Iivula-Ithana. Also speaking at the same event, labour minister Utoni Nujoma called for unity in the party. He commended the organisers of the reunion, saying it is a good platform to unite and re-strategise.

The three-day event was attended by over 600 former fighters from across the country.

- ashikololo@nepc.com.na