No excuse for underperformance, Nandi-Ndaitwah tells Swapo MPs

Swapo president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called on party members of parliament to translate policy into tangible improvements in people’s lives, saying the party has no excuse for underperformance after regaining political dominance across all levels of government.

Speaking at the opening of the Swapo parliamentarians' induction workshop in Windhoek yesterday, Nandi-Ndaitwah said the ruling party’s strong showing in last year’s regional and local authority elections signalled renewed public confidence and high expectations from the 8th Administration.

“With a majority in the National Assembly, control of the National Council, regional councils and most local authorities, we have no reason not to coordinate our work and provide quality services to our people,” she said.

The president stressed that the workshop was intended to equip MPs with a shared understanding of their constitutional responsibilities, regardless of whether they serve in the National Assembly or National Council, and to strengthen coordination in law-making and oversight.

Time to work

Nandi-Ndaitwah reminded party members that full commitment to the Swapo election manifesto and its implementation plan – now embedded in the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6) – was non-negotiable.

“Results-oriented leadership must be a standard, not a slogan,” she said, adding that leadership requires preparation, mastery of issues and the ability to turn policy into law and action.

The workshop coincided with the second anniversary of the passing of former president Hage Geingob, who died on 4 February 2024.

It also took place just four days before the first anniversary of the passing of Sam Nujoma, Namibia’s founding president and founder of Swapo, who died on 8 February 2025. Nandi-Ndaitwah led a moment of silence to honour the two leaders and other departed party martyrs.

She urged MPs to take the induction seriously, describing it as a practical working session rather than a ceremonial gathering, and thanked presenters for volunteering their time to strengthen parliamentary capacity.