The run-up to the Swapo elective congress will no doubt dominate the political landscape in the coming months.
Billed as a watershed gathering, the elective congress will produce the next Swapo leadership for the next five years, including the influential roles of president, vice president, secretary general and deputy secretary general.
Several names have already been bandied around and suggested for the top positions, with deputy prime minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and her senior in government prime minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, among the hopefuls for the vice president position of the ruling party.
With head of state Hage Geingob set to continue as party president for another five years, a fierce contestation is expected for the vice president, secretary general and deputy secretary general positions. Even though the succession debate has not been opened, some party cadres such as former education minister Katrina Hanse-Himarwa have raised their hands to contest for the deputy secretary general position.
“I was called by various members asking whether I would like to come back and stand for this position. I consented because since I was 12 years old, I have served in the structures of Swapo. I have grown through the ranks and never jumped the queue to get ahead. So, based on my leadership skills and experience, if they want me, why not? I’m ready to serve,” The Namibian quoted Hanse-Himarwa as saying.
Obviously, more names will crop up in the run-up to the November congress. However, there is no denying that the ruling party is torn by warring factions, which are all jockeying for positions within the movement. This includes fervent conference contests at regional, district, branch and section levels, which will ultimately determine delegates to the mother body congress. Although the party leaders have vigorously stressed the need for a united Swapo, it remains to be seen whether members will heed the call judging by the brutal fallout of the 2017 congress, which continues to haunt the party to this day.
Amid the ruckus and jostling for positions, the recently held Swapo conference has been hailed by all and sundry for being inclusive. The conference touched on an array of topical national issues, including advancing youth employment, and reports on the implementation of the 2020-2025 Swapo election manifesto, the mining sector, agriculture and the economy. Veteran party politicians, including those who have publicly criticised the current regime, were invited to be part of proceedings.
This is an act by the leadership aimed at ensuring that leaders and members remain united. The fact remains Swapo needs to reinvent itself and reposition its brand if it is serious about clawing back from its relatively disappointing showing during the last general elections as well as regional council and local authority polls.
Like in any democratic dispensation, intraparty contests are supposedly heated and emotionally charged affairs. Ultimately, there would be losers and winners. This is the price of democracy. Therefore, it goes without saying that Swapo must adapt its strategy and tactics, including electing a leadership that is capable of rebuilding our ailing economy and working hard in the interest of all Namibians.
For the party to remain relevant in the eyes of citizens, it should be able to champion bread and butter issues and taking serious strides at tackling rampant unemployment, seeking better healthcare, building more houses as well as fixing problems in our education system.