Netumbo, Sophia pour cold water on ‘beef’ claims

Swapo president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has publicly dismissed claims of a fallout between her and party secretary general Sophia Shaningwa, following weeks of speculation over the latter’s conspicuous absence from national and party events led by the president.

Last month, Namibian Sun reported on a series of high-profile events officiated by Nandi-Ndaitwah, where Shaningwa’s notable absence drew public attention.

Among the key events Nandi-Ndaitwah attended without Shaningwa were Swapo’s 65th anniversary celebration in Kamanjab, Workers’ Day commemorations in Oshakati, the annual Omaongo Festival in the Ohangwena region and founding president Sam Nujoma’s remembrance ceremony in Windhoek.

Most recently, Shaningwa missed the inaugural Genocide Remembrance Day in Windhoek, which was also headlined by Nandi-Ndaitwah.

This publication reported that Shaningwa’s recurrent absences from events attended by Nandi-Ndaitwah were allegedly linked to tensions stemming from a recent politburo meeting.

At that meeting, members from the Otjozondjupa region reportedly raised concerns about Shaningwa’s role in the party’s internal elections.

Dissatisfied members allegedly confronted Shaningwa but were left unconvinced by her response.

They reportedly escalated their grievances to Nandi-Ndaitwah via her husband, retired army general Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah.

In response, Nandi-Ndaitwah is said to have convened an urgent politburo meeting, during which Shaningwa was asked to explain her actions.

Shaningwa allegedly rebuked Nandi-Ndaitwah for entertaining complaints that bypassed the secretary general’s office and further expressed dissatisfaction over the involvement of the first gentleman in the matter.



United front

However, speaking at a press conference in Windhoek yesterday, jointly addressed by the pair, Nandi-Ndaitwah said the event was called to assure both party members and the public that Swapo’s leadership remains united and committed to strengthening the party.

“We have been disturbed by what has been in circulation: that the secretary general and I, we have gone to the extent that we no longer see eye to eye,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.

The president confirmed Shaningwa’s absence from the cited events but insisted the reasons speculated in public discourse were unfounded.

“To put some records in their right perspectives, when I went to address the Swapo Party's 65th birthday anniversary, our secretary general was attending the funeral of her cousin,” she said.

“When I went for Workers' Day, the secretary general went to receive some new members joining the party in Walvis Bay and Swakopmund,” Nandi-Ndaitwah added.

“When she didn’t join the Genocide Remembrance Day, our secretary general was in Luanda, Angola, attending a meeting of liberation movement sister parties and all those activities were carried out by the secretary general with my full knowledge and blessings, in my capacity as president of the party,” the head of state noted.



Duty to the country and party

The president further emphasised that the two leaders worked closely and effectively during the election campaign.

“During the campaign, the secretary general and I had to be together, as we were focusing on one thing at that time – the campaign that was very successful," she said.

"Now that the campaign is successfully mounted and Swapo has won, the secretary general and I have different schedules. While I am running the affairs of the government, she is administering and running the day-to-day affairs of the party," Nandi-Ndaitwah explained.

“It is therefore obvious that we cannot attend all the events together, as this will always depend on our different schedules.”

She underlined further that both she and the secretary general remain committed to strengthening the party and delivering on the goals set out in the party's election manifesto.



- [email protected]