Mbumba under fire from opposition

Opposition parties have condemned the remarks made by the ruling party’s secretary-general Nangolo Mbumba at a Swapo rally last weekend, when he referred to supporters as “you poor people”. Mbumba has since apologised. All People’s Party (APP) President Ignatius Shixwameni said that Swapo should call Mbumba to order. He said the insult hurled by Mbumba to poor people, who were attending the Swapo rally in Windhoek is unacceptable, despite the apology that was offered. “The APP strongly condemns the mentality of insulting and abusing the disadvantaged majority of our society, while still wanting to benefit from their votes,” said Shixwameni. Republican Party President Henk Mudge said Mbumba failed to mention the reason for the poverty among Namibians. He said the reason is due to bureaucratic bungling, mismanagement, ineptitude, corruption and nepotism, all of which was institutionalised by the Swapo government. According to him officials with appropriate qualifications, proper training, experience, expertise and a proper work ethic, had to make way for politically loyal cadres. “No matter how one wishes to spin this unfortunate but very true remark, Mbumba merely verbalised the utter disdain and contempt with which Swapo views the general population. Their approach to government over the last 24 years, and their lack of interest in finding workable solutions for the very real problems facing our country, is proof positive of this fact.” Mudge said fortunately for the voting public, Swapo has in an unguarded moment “let slip the veil of caring and being a people’s party” by referring to their supporters as “you poor people.” “This utterance was not made by some starry-eyed, politically naive junior party official, but rather by the secretary-general himself. Politically he should have known better and should have put a guard before his mouth. We in the opposition, however, owe him eternal gratitude,” said Mudge. Shixwameni said people who are angry, frustrated and constantly being insulted by Swapo must not just threaten not to go and vote. “They must and should punish Swapo at the polls by voting for the other parties, in particular for the APP, on Friday.” WINDHOEK ELLANIE SMIT