As the temperature heats up in the Swapo ‘pot’ ahead of the upcoming elections, several former parliamentarians are gearing up for a political comeback.
The electoral college, or ‘pot’, as it is known in Swapo, is seen as their pathway back into the legislative chambers and mainstream politics, following years on the periphery of decision-making and power.
Once powerful figures who shaped the country’s policies, these political veterans are burning the midnight oil, while also relying on their experience and influence to reclaim their seats.
It has sparked debate on whether their return will bring renewed vigour, or will just be the proverbial old wine in new bottles.
Standing head and shoulders among them are Swapo veterans like former Cabinet ministers Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana and Alpheus !Naruseb, former Swapo Party Youth League secretary Paulus Kapia, as well as seasoned diplomat Kaire Mbuende, who have all publicly shown interest in returning.
Speaking to New Era, Iivula-Ithana was dismissive when asked about her return,
stating, “This is not news.” However, this publication has observed her campaign through various posts circulating among party members, soliciting votes.
“What does my return have to do with New Era? This is not news at all,” she insisted.
Iivula-Ithana needs no introduction to the Namibian political and legislative theatre. She was the former minister of home affairs, and a member of the Constituent Assembly in 1989.
Known as Swapo’s ‘Iron Lady’, the political veteran had also been a Member of Parliament and Cabinet since independence.
However, her parliamentary journey hit a cul-de-sac in 2018 when she and fellow politician Jerry ‘Maudjuu’ Ekandjo were removed from late president Hage Geingob’s Cabinet.
This was after the watershed 2017 elective congress, which saw Iivula-Ithana, Ekandjo and others team up through
‘Team Swapo’ against Geingob’s baptised ‘Team Harambee’. During that battle, both camps went gloves off, knuckle-to-knuckle, to discredit each other, while also canvassing for support as to why they were best-suited to lead the party. But when the dust settled, it was Geingob’s ‘Team Harambee’ which emerged victorious, annihilating ‘Team Swapo’.
The defeat sealed the fate of many,
who have since never returned to public life.
Although Iivula-Ithana remained active within Swapo structures, such as the Swapo Party Women’s Council, her political trajectory shifted after a heated competition for the party’s top seat in 2017.
Resurrection
Swapo Central Committee member Kapia is another political figure paving the way back to Parliament.
The former MP – who served during the era of former president Hifikepunye Pohamba – was ejected from Parliament after he and six others were accused of defrauding the Social Security Commission (SSC) through an investment deal involving N$30 million.
At his immaculate prime when Kapia spoke, Namibia listened, as he commanded respect among old and young alike.
In 2018, him and two others were each sentenced to pay a fine of N$60 000, or serve a three-year prison term.
Kapia is followed by former minister of agriculture !Naruseb, who also wants to return to the legislative chambers.
He resigned from his political posts in 2020 after he was not retained in Geingob’s Cabinet. Attempts to get comment from both Kapia and !Naruseb have proven futile.
Generational mix
In an interview with New Era this week, Mbuende confirmed his candidacy for the electoral college, stating politics, for him, is a calling.
His legislative profile includes serving as deputy minister of foreign affairs from 2002 to 2004, and as deputy minister of agriculture in the early 1990s.
He was also a member of Constituent Assembly, and served as the ambassador to the United Nations from August 2006 to December 2010.
Mbuende said the country is currently in a state which requires collective efforts to build, and that everyone needs to contribute. With his knowledge, expertise and energy, he said he cannot sit back without being actively involved.
“Tremendous progress has been made, but there is also a need for changes and transitions in various areas. That requires direct efforts – whether through active involvement, or by contributing ideas. For me, it is a call that I have answered, and I am working towards the betterment of Namibia,” he stated.
The former lawmaker then compared the legislative processes from his time in Parliament to the current ones, noting that times have changed.
He reasoned that the urgency of lawmaking has shifted.
“At the time, we were just gaining independence, and there was an urgency to change a number of laws to abolish apartheid legislation. There was also a need to prove that we could manage this country on our own, and there was a strong drive from all Members of Parliament. I’m not sure if the same work ethic exists today,” he observed.
While he feels progress was made during his tenure, he believes there is still unfinished business.
People familiar with Swapo’s internal dynamics believe Mbuende is poised for one of two options: to become the next Speaker of the National Assembly, should Swapo garner the necessary votes.
As the right-hand man to Swapo presidential candidate Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, he has also been rumoured to have been earmarked for the country’s vice presidency.
Co-existence
Over the years, there have been calls for young people to be more involved in politics, alongside calls for elders to make way for the younger generation.
Over the weekend, Swapo Party Youth League Secretary Ephraim Nekongo urged the older generation to consider the younger ones, and offer them a seat at the table. In Mbuende’s view, both generations must co-exist in politics.
“There is enough space for everyone at the table,” he said.
“Young people are by all means welcome, and this is not a question of generations – between the younger ones and the elders – we need to work together. When I started, I worked with people the same age as my father, and we complemented each other very well. Everyone had value to add,” he continued.
While the young population makes up 70% of the nation’s demographic, the diplomat said the 30% of the older generation also has the experience and expertise that cannot be denied.
Old flames
Contrary to Mbuende’s notion of co-existence, political scientist Ndumba Kamwanyah argued that former parliamentarians serving for decades is a problematic trend.
Comparing Namibia to the United States of America, he said parliamentarians there only serve for a few years, allowing others to bring in new ideas and perspectives.
“You will never see a minister serving more than 20 years, and the reason is that they want to bring in new perspectives, ideas and innovations, which is different from how things are done in Namibia,” he added.
Kamwanyah argued that lawmaking or a ministerial position should not be seen as a lifelong job.
“I don’t think Iivula-Ithana or !Naruseb will bring new change,” he opined.
His perspective is supported by fellow analyst Natji Tjirera, who believes that the political old guard should make way for the younger generation.