RUNDU – Swapo Party Women’s Council secretary Fransina Kahungu has said while she is happy for the female candidates in the party’s internal election, she is not endorsing anyone on behalf of women – and cautioned those who run to be prepared for shocks from the voting booth.
Kahungu said she was pleased two female candidates are vying for the vice president position, and it warms her heart that the party is taking gender equality issues seriously.
“I have been happy since 2013, when the Swapo constitution was amended, to say that at each and every position in Swapo accept in the women’s council the gender balance must be something which has to be done, so having two female candidates in the race for VP is an achievement already,” said the Windhoek local authority councillor.
“It is wrong in the first place because if you are a leader, and you do it, you are not only against the rules of the Swapo party but you are there to divide because the constitution states each member has the right to elect and be elected, and then it says candidates to be identified – and after they are identified, the delegates to the congress now have to be
lobbied.”
Kahungu believes that going public and trying to use the influence of a certain position breeds division amongst party members.
“That is why candidates are going to regions to meet delegates together; we are trying to harmonise the unity of party members – not only for now but for the future,” she said.
Kahungu further said she was happy because the Swapo Party central committee has decided on a new format for the internal campaign, where all candidates are allowed to go at once to a given region and meet all available delegates to the congress together.
“Each candidate must say what she or he can offer – and from there, delegates can make their decision, based on the post and pre-information about candidates, so that is where I stand. As an individual, I will make my decision coming in the voting booth, but I do not have the mandate to influence others,” she noted. -jmuyamba@nepc.com.na