Despite recently becoming an affiliate of the ruling Swapo Party, the Namibian Exile Kids Association (Neka) feels left out of the electoral college set for September.
Neka members claim that while other affiliates like the Swapo Party Youth League and the Former Plan Combatants’ Association (FPCA) have already sent the names of their delegates to the electoral college, they are in limbo.
On 26 June, newly-elected Neka president’s Kadiva Hamutumwa wrote to Swapo’s secretary general Sophia Shaningwa, lamenting their purported exclusion.
“The Swapo Party congress in 2022 approved Neka’s affiliation to the party. In 2023, Neka has been included in the regional rallies held throughout the 14 regions,” said Hamutumwa.
She reiterated Neka’s mission to actively defend the gains and legacy of the Namibian revolution and liberation struggle through members’ active participation in the national developmental agenda.
She also emphasised driving a unified association in pursuit of socio-political and economic upliftment, as well as general welfare of its current and future members.
She reminded Shanigwa of ‘external forces’, such as new political formations, which she said are enticing disgruntled and marginalised members of the party.
She added that as “heirs of the liberation struggle”, they are ready to defend the party, and ensure its survival, despite the challenges it faces both internally and externally.
“Therefore, we would like to implore you [Shaningwa] to heed our call for the inclusion of Neka in party activities, especially at this critical time,” she pleaded.
Process
In another letter, dated 28 June 2024, Shaningwa informed Hamutumwa she is not aware of Neka members being excluded from the party’s activities, and dispelled the notion.
She added that it can potentially cause division.
“All Swapo party members enjoy equal rights, obligations and duties as entrenched in the party constitution under article 10,” she said.
Shaningwa said Neka members are welcome to participate in party-related activities, including campaign and mobilisation activities.
According to Swapo’s top administrator, the central committee has already directed her office to wait for reports from Hamutumwa, which she submitted, and that of her competitor, Rauna Amutati – which is still pending – following their annual general meeting held in Otjiwarongo earlier this year.
“I also wish to inform your good self that although Swapo is neither opposing nor objecting the affiliation of Neka, it is subject to the party’s administrative processes,” said the secretary general.
Her response has raised more questions than answers within the Swapo rank and file, as many members started questioning whether Neka is eligible to participate in the electoral college or not.
The electoral college, or ‘the pot’ in the Swapo lexicon, will determine the next members to be sent to parliament next year.
Calm
In a recent internal communique, dated 15 July 2024, Neka secretary general Elizabeth Shimwafeni called for calm in the association.
She said following the application and subsequent approval at the party congress, various correspondences were received from the party, confirming the ratification by the politburo of the admission of Neka as an affiliate to the party as well as confirming the alignment of the Neka constitution to that of the party.
“The next step was the determination of the amount of admission and membership fees payable by Neka, which we await to date,” said Shimwefeni.
According to sources with intricate knowledge on the matter, Shaningwa, who is said to have preferred Amutati over Hamutumwa, is allegedly dragging her feet on the administrative affairs for the affiliation of the association to the party.
In March Shaningwa instructed Neka to cease its congress at Otjiwarongo due to allegations of internal conflict in the election of new leadership.
However, the association defied the order, and forged ahead, leading to Hamutumwa emerging victorious.
“The delay of the report from Amutati is a deliberate political move to delay the official acknowledgement of the association’s affiliation to the party,” said the source.
Shaningwa and Amutati refused to comment on the matter.
Approached for a comment, Hamutumwa said it is an internal matter between Neka and the party, which she could not shed more light on.
She redirected this reporter to Shaningwa.
Unrest
Of late, information has been circulating regarding a demonstration by children of the liberation struggle and liberation war veterans.
Both associations have strongly condemned the act, stating that they are not spearheading, organising, arranging or coordinating the demonstration, which has the potential to cause chaos and unrest.
“As organisations dedicated to upholding the legacy of the liberation struggle, the FPCA and Neka would like to distance ourselves from this misguided fabrication and propaganda. We reaffirm our commitment to working collaboratively to address challenges, provide political education and create a harmonious environment for all,” reads part the joint statement.
Swapo is expected to hold its electoral college later this year.
During the pot, one of the biggest events on the political calendar, members from various regions will be elected to fill 96 seats in the National Assembly.
They will be drafted from over 200 delegates, and will feature on the party’s parliament list for the National Assembly election, scheduled for 27 November.
Swapo’s top-four leaders – namely the president, vice president, secretary general and deputy secretary general – automatically secure spots on the National Assembly list.
For the rest, it is survival of the fittest, as they must battle it out.
(Neka)
Caption:
Excluded… Neka feels excluded by the mother body.
Photo: File