Lahja Nashuuta
The Swapo Party central committee’s decision to endorse president-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as party president unopposed does not contradict the party’s constitution, nor does it violate any standing rules of the party.
This is the view of Swapo veteran and former central committee member, Nahas Angula.
Nandi-Ndaitwah was endorsed at an extraordinary meeting of the central committee on Saturday to complete the term left unexpired due to the death of late president Hage Geingob.
A press statement issued by the party’s spokesperson Hilma Nicanor stated that the party’s highest body acted on the recommendation of the party’s Political Bureau.
She said Nandi-Ndaitwah will be endorsed when the party convenes its extraordinary congress, which is set for 7-9 March 2025.
“After careful consideration of the Political Bureau’s report, the Central Committee unanimously adopted the Political Bureau’s recommendation that Her Excellency Comrade Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah be the sole candidate, to be elected unopposed, at the upcoming extraordinary congress as the person to complete the presidential term left unexpired due to the death of Dr Hage G. Geingob,” the statement reads.
Angula said this was not the first time the party’s Central Committee had endorsed a candidate.
Traditionally, Swapo incumbent party heads endorse their deputies to succeed them as the party’s future presidents, he observed.
“The late president Geingob was endorsed by then-party president Hifikepunye Pohamba in 2012. Former president Pohamba was endorsed by the late Founding President Sam Nujoma. When the late president passed on, Nandi-Ndaitwah was the party’s vice president, which made her the right candidate for the party presidency” he continued.
Angula said there was nothing wrong with freezing the election of the party vice president (VP) position.
The central committee has elected not to fill the position of vice present until 2027.
The veteran added that in the absence of the VP, the secretary general of the party can take over the duties.
In support of the decision, Swapo stalwart and former Cabinet minister Helmut Angula referred to the party constitution.
“It is provided for in the constitution. Article 15(10) states that in the event of unavailability of both President and Vice President, the Political Bureau will elect a member amongst them, subject to endorsement by the central committee to act as President, pending the holding of the extraordinary congress or ordinary congress, whichever one occurs first within 90 days,” he said.
Political analysts have, however, expressed concern over the party’s decision to endorse Nandi-Ndaitwah, and the freezing of the VP position.
They stated that it contradicts the party’s constitution.
Political commentator Ndumba Kamwanyah said Swapo has broken from tradition.
“By freezing the vice president position until 2027, Swapo is creating uncertainty. The vice president is supposed to be the next in line, but now there is no clear successor. There could be confusion about who takes over if Nandi-Ndaitwah is not able to preform her duties. It also means Swapo is delaying an important leadership decision, which might create internal tensions” he stressed.
Echoing similar sentiments, political scientist Rui Tyitende said Swapo does not have a culture of following its own rules and laws.
Their laws are applied when convenient – not when necessary.
“Remember, Swapo had initially agreed to have the congress on the 19th of April last year, but moved it to between 28 February and 2 March 2025 at their Central Committee meeting held on the 13th of December 2024, two weeks after the Presidential and National Assembly elections.
The question is, why? The idea is to manage discontent and disillusionment from individuals who would otherwise not have been appointed as ministers, deputy ministers, governors and to other positions within the State apparatus post-21 March 2025 when the new government assumes office”, Tyitende reasoned.
– lnashuuta@gmail.com