Swapo vice president incumbent Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has said the ruling party is at a crossroads and needs to return to its core ideologies while continuing to embrace transformation and change.

Such a return, Nandi-Ndaitwah said, could only be facilitated by a cadre that has witnessed all phases of the struggle.

“As a VP I have been part of the process to apply a set of solutions to our most pressing issues, and I believe I have more to offer in furthering those solutions in a fair and equitable manner, and in transforming the frustration and aspirations of the youth towards their benefit and that of our nation,” she said.

“Without leaving any of the preceding generations behind to serve our nation. It must be noted that we are the party that embraces transformation and change.”

Nandi-Ndaitwah, who is the country’s deputy prime minister and minister of international relations, is eyeing reelection at the Swapo congress set for November. She is running against Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila and environment minister Pohamba Shifeta.

Former youth minister Jerry Ekandjo could also join the race if he succeeds in his letter of demand to be included in the contest, following the withdrawal of defence minister Frans Kapofi.    

On Monday, Ekandjo’s lawyer Richard Metcalfe confirmed that he will take the ruling party to court to compel them to recognise Ekandjo as a vice presidential candidate. 

In an interview with New Era on Monday, Nandi-Ndaitwah said the party has led the transformation of the country, from wrestling it from the vestiges of apartheid, to establishing a young democracy with good governance principles, to dreaming about the fourth industrial revolution.

“The country you see today was unimaginable at independence. Strides have been made by the Swapo party but unfortunately it still fall short of our expectation of an equitable and prosperous nation,” she said.

She said voters have expressed their desire for change and Swapo has taken stock of that. 

However, she said, challenges faced by opposition in regional and local authorities they lead show Swapo has a chance to convince citizens that change can be best marshalled by Swapo, which, according to her, is a proven midwife to change.

“Swapo has heard the cries of the people and if elected as its vice-president I will ensure that its conduct henceforth reflect that,” she said.

Helmut amendments 

Nandi-Ndaitwah said the main idea of the amendments was to agitate against opportunists who did not share the party’s core values infiltrating the party and not to keep the party youth out of position as is widely believed.

“The solution might have some unintended consequences but the issue being sought to address is a real threat to our party, as developments such as the so-called Fishrot have borne out,” she explained.

“It is in this context that those amendments, together with the institution of the party school, were framed to ground our movement in its services to our people, having the grooming of the youth in mind.”

Nandi-Ndaitwah said the application of the solution might have fallen short in some regards, but the intent to groom and advance the youth through ideological education and mentoring has always been there and will always be a priority under her leadership. 

“My leadership shall enhance the identification and celebration of talent amongst our youth whilst ensuring robust inter-generational coherence,” she said, adding she believes the youth should progressively be included in party structures and national legislature, as President Hage Geingob has been doing.

- ktjitemisa@nepc.com.na