WINDHOEK- Nestor Mukwaita Shanyengana is the new secretary of the Swapo Party Elders Council following an extra-ordinary congress held in Swakopmund over the weekend.

He will be deputised by Mary Masule. Masule is the first female to hold a top position in the elders council and succeeds Shanyengana, who was the elders council’s deputy secretary. New Era established that the secretary of the Swapo Party Elders Council in the Erongo Region, Jack Brown, was expected to be Shanyengana’s competitor, but he could not contest because his nomination did not receive any secondment. This was also confirmed by Shanyengana during a telephonic interview yesterday.

Masule, who is the regional treasurer of the  Swapo Party Elders Council in the Zambezi Region and a member of the elders council’s executive committee, convincingly defeated Loide Shinavene after garnering 140 of the 218 votes.

Shanyengana said the three-day extraordinary congress, which was opened by President Hifikepunye Pohamba ‘went well’ and said the elders council will continue to fulfil its mandate to advice other party structures.

 During the opening of the congress Pohamba urged the party’s elders to dedicate themselves and to commit their efforts to nation building. “The young people look upon the elders to provide the leadership and wisdom as we continue to pursue and undertake the important task of nation building. Our elders should dedicate themselves to this vital role as our nation grapples with the multiple challenges of crime, gender-based violence, unemployment and combating poverty,” he said.

Pohamba also underscored the importance of access to information, which he says is critical for the development of communities and the provision of public services.  “Elders who have access to information regarding the implementation of government policies, provision of public services and other forms of assistance, should join hands with public officials, traditional leaders and community leaders in sharing and spreading such information and educating our communities,” said Pohamba.

Shanyengana is President Hifikepunye Pohamba’s media advisor. Meanwhile, Pohamba is yet to appoint a political advisor to replace Kanana Hishoono who retired last year. However, with the president’s term set to end in a few months, an appointment seems highly unlikely at this stage. Shanyengana is the elders council’s fourth secretary. He was preceded by the late Lieutenant Colonel Fredrick Matongo, who took over the position from Kanana Hishoono, who held the position since 1992. Swapo stalwart Simon Mzee Kaukungwa is the founding secretary of the elders council.

By Mathias Haufiku