OUTAPI - Swapo party vice president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said tribalism will destroy Namibia because people are no longer as united as they used to be. She was referencing how some people say those from the Omusati region and the Ohangwena region do not like each other.
“We should stop tribalism because it will take us nowhere. We are all Namibians, and let’s work together to build our country.”
Nandi-Ndaitwah made these remarks on Saturday at the Swapo Party rally at the Olufuko Centre at Outapi in the Omusati region.
She urged Swapo supporters to work in unity because that is the only way they can build this country. Nandi-Ndaitwah informed Swapo supporters that she, prime minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila and environment minister Pohamba Shifeta - who was not present at the rally - are still united, despite running against each other in the race for the Swapo top job during the party’s congress late last year.
“We are still united. We are one Swapo party,” she added.
She stressed that as one of the contenders for the position of vice president and then emerging as the winner, she has no ill-feelings towards those who did not support her.
“We must now move ahead in unity and oneness for the good of our people, the party, and the country. You are all equal before me. My greatest focus now is how best we can continue to serve our people,” she observed.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said the Swapo-led government listens, and people should, therefore, bring issues to the table for serious discussions to find common solutions to common problems.
“Bringing issues to the table will also bring about strong, meaningful inter-generational transformation and economic independence. The future belongs to those who prepare for it today. I have no doubt that our youth are ready and willing,” she continued.
“We must aim to reclaim the party’s political glory and all lost ground. We must aim to unite our people towards shared socio-economic prosperity.”
In addition, she said as vice president, she has full confidence in the party’s supporters, and urged them to give Swapo and their presidential candidate unreserved support in order to ensure a landslide victory.
“To reclaim what we lost in 2019 and 2020, respectively, we must be aggressive and go on the political offensive and mobilise members, supporters and sympathisers for our common political goal,” she said.
Also speaking at the event was Omusati Swapo coordinator Sacky Kayone, who said the Omusati region is ready to support Nandi-Ndaitwah as their presidential candidate for 2024. He urged people to unite and support their candidate so that she would win. Meanwhile, Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa said Nandi-Ndaitwah is the only right candidate for the presidential elections in 2024, and thus needs the people’s support in order to win.