Shaningwa denies rift with Nandi-Ndaitwah

Swapo secretary-general Sophia Shaningwa has dismissed speculation of a rift between her and party president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.Shaningwa&#039;s absence from several key party and national events recently officiated by Nandi-Ndaitwah triggered the speculation.Observers noted that Shaningwa did not attend Swapo’s 65th anniversary celebration, addressed by Nandi-Ndaitwah in Kamanjab, Kunene Region. Concerns were further fuelled by her absence at the Workers’ Day commemoration in Oshakati last week, where Nandi-Ndaitwah was again the keynote speaker.While Nandi-Ndaitwah addressed workers in the north, Shaningwa was in Swakopmund to welcome new Swapo members who defected from the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC).“The Swapo house is cracking, with the two principals not seeing eye to eye. They are now organising separate events. While the president is addressing the public in Oshana, Shaningwa is in Erongo receiving defectors from IPC, accompanied by high-ranking party officials,” a source claimed.The source also pointed to Shaningwa’s absence from the party’s birthday celebration, reportedly due to other pressing commitments, as a possible sign of deeper divisions.However, Shaningwa, who firmly denied any fallout with Nandi-Ndaitwah, attributed her absence from the anniversary event to the burial of her cousin, with whom she shared a close personal and political history.“Yes, 19 April was the commemoration of Swapo’s 65th birthday, which Her Excellency the president attended in Kamanjab. “I was burying my cousin and comrade. We crossed the border together on the same day and joined the liberation struggle in exile at the same time,” Shaningwa said.She emphasised the importance of her relationship with the deceased: “Had it been his wedding, I could have missed it. But I could not miss his funeral, even for a party event I dearly love.”Addressing her absence from the 1 May Workers’ Day event, Shaningwa said: “My absence was communicated and agreed upon between the two of us. It was strategic, and this arrangement will continue for some time.”Shaningwa and Nandi-Ndaitwah have previously campaigned together in the lead-up to Swapo’s 2017 and 2022 elective congresses, where they both secured decisive victories over their rivals. With Swapo currently without a vice-president, the two women are the party’s most senior figures.kenya@nmh-hub.com.na

Shaningwa denies rift with Nandi-Ndaitwah

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Namibian Sun 2026-03-26

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Shaningwa denies rift with Nandi-Ndaitwah

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Namibian Sun 2026-03-26

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