Shaningwa still absent at Netumbo-led events

Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa’s continued absence from events attended by party president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, which continued this week, is reportedly tied to tensions stemming from a recent politburo meeting, where concerns were raised by members from the Otjozondjupa Region over her role in the party’s internal elections.

After missing Swapo’s recent 65th anniversary celebration in Kamanjab, Shaningwa was again a notable absentee at the Workers’ Day commemoration in Oshakati - both events where Nandi-Ndaitwah served as keynote speaker. Most recently, Shaningwa was absent from Saturday’s annual omaongo festival in the Ohangwena Region and from founding president Sam Nujoma’s remembrance ceremony in Windhoek on Monday this week. Nandi-Ndaitwah was, once again, the keynote speaker at both occasions.

At the Ohangwena event, Shaningwa was publicly announced among top officials who had tendered their apologies.

Invited to Nujoma commemoration

Swapo’s Khomas leadership officials confirmed that Shaningwa was invited to the Nujoma commemoration but did not attend. Speaking to Namibian Sun last week, Shaningwa confirmed her continued absence, saying it was strategic.

“My absence was communicated and agreed upon between the two of us. It was strategic, and this arrangement will continue for some time.”

Party insiders have since revealed that tensions between the two leaders intensified following a dispute in the Otjozondjupa, where Shaningwa recently sent an investigative committee to extinguish ongoing squabbles. Shaningwa was accused of favouring loyalists during the regional leadership contestations - including the nomination of Nelao Amagulu as party candidate for the vacant position of councillor for Grootfontein Constituency. Amagulu will stand on the Swapo ticket in a by-election prompted by the resignation of Elder Filipe, who has joined parliament.

Dissatisfied members reportedly lodged their complaints with Shaningwa but did not get satisfactory answers - accusing her of taking sides in the matter. Shaningwa’s ally, Grootfontein businessman Joseph Andreas, was allegedly at the center of ensuring that Amagulu emerges as the party’s candidate - in a process that was boycotted by dissatisfied members. Party members in the region also complained about how the renewal of mandates in party structures were being handled. Unsatisfied by Shaningwa’s actions, aggrieved party members allegedly escalated their concerns to Nandi-Ndaitwah through her husband, retired army general Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah.

Nandi-Ndaitwah then convened an urgent politburo meeting, where Shaningwa was asked to explain her actions. Shaningwa allegedly hit back, blasting Nandi-Ndaitwah for entertaining complaints that did not reach her through the secretary general’s office. She also allegedly complained about the involvement of the first gentleman in the matter.

There are also allegations that Shaningwa was displeased about not being briefed on the president’s recent appointment of two ministers, with some suggesting that she had suggestions of her own that she wanted to put on the president’s desk. “She felt that because ministers are mandated to implement the Swapo manifesto, it was important that she be consulted,” a party insider claimed.

Shaningwa and Nandi-Ndaitwah previously campaigned together ahead of Swapo’s 2017 and 2022 elective congresses, where both secured decisive victories. With Swapo lacking a vice-president, the two women are now the party’s most senior figures.

Questions sent to Nandi-Ndaitwah’s press secretary, Alfredo Hengari, regarding the alleged fallout had not been answered by the time of publication.