Shaningwa shames mobiliser
A Swapo leader in Oshana is being accused of sending text messages to fellow delegates, reportedly asking them to boycott the Team Harambee's rally.
Swapo's district mobiliser for Ongwediva in the Oshana Region, David Akuunda, has rejected claims that he sent an SMS to his fellow regional delegates to the upcoming congress telling them not to attend the Team Harambee rally that took place at the town last week.
During that rally, Team Harambee's secretary-general candidate Sophia Shaningwa lashed out at a Swapo member in the region who had reportedly told delegates to boycott the rally, which was also addressed by acting party president Hage Geingob.
Shaningwa shamed the author of the message, saying he failed as 31 congress delegates out of 54 attended the campaign event.
“I am informed that an SMS was sent to congress delegates threatening them not to attend this gathering.
“Shame on those telling people not to attend President Hage Geingob's meetings. Shame on you. You failed because delegates are here. Shame on you.
“Hage [Geingob] will get a second term,” she said. Shaningwa said that since she joined Swapo in exile it has always been about 'One Namibia, One Nation' but now people are trying to destroy this concept and are “bad-mouthing” Geingob. Namibian Sun has seen the SMS in question and delegates are adamant that it was authored by Akuunda on Wednesday last week.
The message reads: “Good morning liberation and veterans of Swapo. Cde [comrades] we have Galatea on you and trust we request all our delegates not to attend the harambee rally at Mayor's Park just keep yourself… we are your office duty. Regard Akuunda,” (sic).
Approached for comment, Akuunda rejected the allegations, saying he was not even aware of the meeting.
“How can I send such an SMS as if they invited me to their gathering? I do not know such things and I only learned that there was a gathering the day after it took place,” Akuunda claims.
Geingob and his slate, which includes Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Shaningwa and Marco Hausiku, also addressed rallies in Omusati, Ohangwena and Oshikoto at the weekend.
The events were attended by congress delegates and Swapo members from all over the country and various party wings.
The meetings were, however, snubbed by regional coordinators of Oshana, Omusati and Oshikoto. Team Harambee is contesting against Team Swapo which comprises of veteran politicians and presidential candidates Jerry Ekandjo and Nahas Angula.
Home affairs minister Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana and Helmut Angula are candidates for the vice-presidency, while Armas Amukwiyu is a candidate for the secretary-general position.
Businesswoman Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun and former deputy health minister Petrina Haingura are also vying for the deputy secretary-general position.
Team Swapo also held a well-attended rally at Rundu on Saturday. The elective congress is scheduled for 23-26 November in Windhoek.
ILENI NANDJATO
During that rally, Team Harambee's secretary-general candidate Sophia Shaningwa lashed out at a Swapo member in the region who had reportedly told delegates to boycott the rally, which was also addressed by acting party president Hage Geingob.
Shaningwa shamed the author of the message, saying he failed as 31 congress delegates out of 54 attended the campaign event.
“I am informed that an SMS was sent to congress delegates threatening them not to attend this gathering.
“Shame on those telling people not to attend President Hage Geingob's meetings. Shame on you. You failed because delegates are here. Shame on you.
“Hage [Geingob] will get a second term,” she said. Shaningwa said that since she joined Swapo in exile it has always been about 'One Namibia, One Nation' but now people are trying to destroy this concept and are “bad-mouthing” Geingob. Namibian Sun has seen the SMS in question and delegates are adamant that it was authored by Akuunda on Wednesday last week.
The message reads: “Good morning liberation and veterans of Swapo. Cde [comrades] we have Galatea on you and trust we request all our delegates not to attend the harambee rally at Mayor's Park just keep yourself… we are your office duty. Regard Akuunda,” (sic).
Approached for comment, Akuunda rejected the allegations, saying he was not even aware of the meeting.
“How can I send such an SMS as if they invited me to their gathering? I do not know such things and I only learned that there was a gathering the day after it took place,” Akuunda claims.
Geingob and his slate, which includes Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Shaningwa and Marco Hausiku, also addressed rallies in Omusati, Ohangwena and Oshikoto at the weekend.
The events were attended by congress delegates and Swapo members from all over the country and various party wings.
The meetings were, however, snubbed by regional coordinators of Oshana, Omusati and Oshikoto. Team Harambee is contesting against Team Swapo which comprises of veteran politicians and presidential candidates Jerry Ekandjo and Nahas Angula.
Home affairs minister Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana and Helmut Angula are candidates for the vice-presidency, while Armas Amukwiyu is a candidate for the secretary-general position.
Businesswoman Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun and former deputy health minister Petrina Haingura are also vying for the deputy secretary-general position.
Team Swapo also held a well-attended rally at Rundu on Saturday. The elective congress is scheduled for 23-26 November in Windhoek.
ILENI NANDJATO
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