Geingob strikes a conciliatory tone
Swapo President Hage Geingob struck a conciliatory tone yesterday morning as he vowed to unite the party and repair a badly bruised relationship with his ruling party comrades following a tense succession battle.
Geingob and his preferred candidates emerged victors at the just-ended 6th Swapo congress. Shortly after he was declared the winner of the presidential contest, Geingob preached unity, saying he was ready to work with every party member. “Today is not about saying that this individual has won or that individual has lost,” Geingob said, minutes after embracing his opponents who had joined him on stage. “It is not about saying that this team has won or that team has lost. There are no losers in Swapo. Today, Swapo has won. No matter what the situation, no matter what the moment, no matter what the crisis, Swapo will always emerge victorious,” he said. Geingob encouraged his opponents to turn the moment into victory for all. “Let this be the last congress where the insults exceed ideas. Let this be the last congress where friendship and families are torn apart,” he said. Geingob also commended his running mates, which included newly elected vice-president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, secretary-general Sophia Shaningwa as well as deputy secretary-general Marco Hausiku. “Like the saying goes, 'success is no accident'. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.”
In a show of unity, Geingob's opponents promised to rally behind the new Swapo leadership. Jerry Ekandjo told delegates the time was ripe for the new generation to take over. “I have been a leader for the past 48 years and there will be a time when everything will come to an end for the new generation to take over. Now it is your time to fight the economic struggle,” said Ekandjo. On his part, Nahas Angula also pledged his support for Geingob, saying he will continue to make a humble contribution when called upon.
A visibly emotional Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana paid tribute to her “twin-sister” Nandi-Ndaitwah and assured her continued support. Iivula-Ithana also announced that Team Swapo was officially disbanded.
The other candidates who campaigned under the Team Swapo banner Helmut Angula, Armas Amukwiyu, Petrina Haingura and Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun also appeared gracious throughout the closing ceremony and congratulated the incoming leadership.
JEMIMA BEUKES
Geingob and his preferred candidates emerged victors at the just-ended 6th Swapo congress. Shortly after he was declared the winner of the presidential contest, Geingob preached unity, saying he was ready to work with every party member. “Today is not about saying that this individual has won or that individual has lost,” Geingob said, minutes after embracing his opponents who had joined him on stage. “It is not about saying that this team has won or that team has lost. There are no losers in Swapo. Today, Swapo has won. No matter what the situation, no matter what the moment, no matter what the crisis, Swapo will always emerge victorious,” he said. Geingob encouraged his opponents to turn the moment into victory for all. “Let this be the last congress where the insults exceed ideas. Let this be the last congress where friendship and families are torn apart,” he said. Geingob also commended his running mates, which included newly elected vice-president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, secretary-general Sophia Shaningwa as well as deputy secretary-general Marco Hausiku. “Like the saying goes, 'success is no accident'. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.”
In a show of unity, Geingob's opponents promised to rally behind the new Swapo leadership. Jerry Ekandjo told delegates the time was ripe for the new generation to take over. “I have been a leader for the past 48 years and there will be a time when everything will come to an end for the new generation to take over. Now it is your time to fight the economic struggle,” said Ekandjo. On his part, Nahas Angula also pledged his support for Geingob, saying he will continue to make a humble contribution when called upon.
A visibly emotional Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana paid tribute to her “twin-sister” Nandi-Ndaitwah and assured her continued support. Iivula-Ithana also announced that Team Swapo was officially disbanded.
The other candidates who campaigned under the Team Swapo banner Helmut Angula, Armas Amukwiyu, Petrina Haingura and Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun also appeared gracious throughout the closing ceremony and congratulated the incoming leadership.
JEMIMA BEUKES
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