By Kuvee Kangueehi
Windhoek
President Hifikepunye Pohamba has said Swapo Party members must relentlessly guard against those who instigate division within the party.
“We should guard against those who work for the weakening and destruction of the party,” he said.
Pohamba made the remark yesterday during the official opening of the 4th Swapo Party Congress that got under way at Safari Court in the capital.
Pohamba said some of the detractors of Swapo Party have come up with a saying that “to weaken Swapo Party, you have to create internal strife within the Party”.
He said the party must guard against such thinking emanating from the forces that are intent on destroying the party.
Pohamba said the continued implementation of the party’s political programme depends on the ability of the party members to remain loyal to the purpose that kept Swapo Party together.
“We must guard against tribalism, conflicts based on differences among individuals, the encouragement of rank indiscipline leading to the undermining of the organizational integrity, conflict within communities and demoralization of some of the best cadres of our organization.”
He said the party must pay the closest possible attention to the continuous political education of their members, to ensure that they become real members of the organization and not mere card carriers.
Pohamba said the Youth League also needs assistance to ensure that it brings up the youth in the traditions of the party and in a manner that will enable young people to assume their positions of leadership when the time comes and to be clear about their own responsibilities.
He said the starting point to tackle the task of further strengthening Swapo Party must be based on the recognition of the fact that the fundamental social transformation of the country cannot happen without the people who understand and are committed to bringing the transformation about.
Pohamba said as in the past, the mission of the party calls for the defence of the interest of and service of the people.
“This calls for solidarity with the downtrodden, freedom for the oppressed and social justice for the disadvantaged.”