The All People’s Party leadership has announced they are restructuring and mobilising before they can set up the date to host a congress.

APP secretary general Vincent Kanyetu yesterday said the party would host its congress when the restructuring is completed, and then the central coordinating committee (CCC) will sit to set a date for the congress.

Nangolo Shuumbwa has been acting as the party president, replacing the late president Ignatius Shixwameni, subject to endorsement by the CCC.

In November 2021, Shixwameni (55) died after he collapsed at parliament, where he was attending a committee meeting on foreign affairs alongside other parliamentarians.

Kanyetu indicated the APP constitution is clear when it comes to succession after a sitting president is no longer there. 

The aim of restructuring is to have legitimate delegates that will go to congress. 

At the moment, Kanyetu stressed, some of the regional structures could be dormant. 

Therefore, he added, the party needs to have a full structure before congress.

“As we speak, our acting president is Erastus Nangolo Shuumbwa. We are busy restructuring to have a mandate from regional to wing levels in different regions. By the end of this year, we would have 50% of our restructuring. We will announce when restructuring is done and then we will set up new dates to have a congress,” Kanyetu noted. 

According to him, APP is a national party that is getting support and votes in all regions of Namibia. 

In fact, he said, “We are ready for both elections come 2024. We are busy penetrating the strongholds of all other different parties including the ruling party.

APP is home to everyone regardless of their tribe, colour, and origin.”

Following APP national bureau deliberations and confirmation as per article five of the party’s constitution, Maria Kamutali, who is number three on the party list, replaced the late Shixwameni in parliament. 

The national bureau, the party’s second-highest decision-making organ, held a meeting on 11 December 2021 in Okahandja. 

It was at this urgent meeting that it was decided that Shuumbwa should take over as acting APP president while Kamutali will replace him in the National Assembly.

- anakale@nepc.com.na