Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa yesterday warned regional coordinators the party cannot afford the consequences of internal fights anymore. Shaningwa advised if the ruling party members and supporters do adhere to constitutional provisions; they will have fewer squabbles as far as the terms of offices are concerned. 

The ruling party’s chief administrator, who was addressing coordinators on administrative matters in Windhoek yesterday, said some regions were having parallel structures. 

She added the politburo of the party has previously sent verification teams to those regions, with the view to address the issues on ground – and this has proven to be a costly exercise. 
“Not only were the verification teams to the regions costly, but some of the squabbles cost the party millions of dollars in legal fees. Parallel structures shall never happen in our party again,” Shaningwa noted. 

Shaningwa stressed that maintaining party discipline within its structures cannot be overemphasised. 
“We need to elect leaders who are disciplined, committed and firm in our structures,” she said. 
Besides, she said, the party must ensure that each internal election is conducted in an inclusive, free, transparent and fair manner in conformity with the Swapo constitution. 

Shaningwa said she has also beefed up the secretariat that will produce a report, which will be distributed to all structures of the party. 
She said this report will not only serve as a guiding document during the implementation of our renewals of mandate exercise but also as a point of reference for future exercises. 

Swapo deputy secretary general Marco Hausiku admitted the party has been faced with some challenges and they intend to address them collectively. 

“It is not a sign of weakness to pose and look back. It is not a sign of weakness to acknowledge where you made mistakes. It is not a weakness to correct yourself and organisation’s way of doing things. Challenges are not supposed to break us down but pose and correct ourselves. No challenge is everlasting; all challenges being in your life or organisation is temporary,” Hausiku remarked. 

According to Hausiku, the two-day meeting should serve as an opportunity for the party leaders to collectively decide to rise above the challenges facing the party. 

Shaningwa further implored regional coordinators that they must be cognizant that the country is going through difficult times due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which also caused a serious economic downturn both globally and domestically. 

“Our party is also affected and, therefore, we must take care of the Party resources. We, therefore, need to be prudent in whatever we are doing. As leaders, we are also expected to adhere to the Covid-19 protocols and we must provide guidance to those whom we lead,” she maintained. 
- anakale@nepc.com.na