Sharonice labels Job 'foolish'

Former Namibia National student Organisation (Nanso) Secretary-General Sharonice Busch has called suspended Swapo youth politician Job Amupanda “an immature leader. She also labelled Amupanda “foolish for choosing to confront party structures, instead of using his former position in the Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) to promote youth issues. “I believe that one should rebel inside and not from outside. Change is a transitional process, said Busch. She was speaking shortly before a media conference yesterday where former Nanso president Timotheus Angala described the newly elected president Wilhelem Wilhelem’s presidency as unconstitutional, because according to him no congress had taken place. Wilhelm was elected unopposed last month as president, despite an instruction from Education Minister David Namwandi that the congress be dissolved and an extraordinary congress be scheduled for later this year. Angala said the former Nanso leadership had a legal opinion in their possession that stated they should continue leading until an extraordinary congress is held soon. Busch told Namibian Sun that legal action would be taken against the new Nanso leadership, as she would not allow people to take ownership of an organisation that she had worked hard to bring back to relevance. She accused Wilhelem and his "cronies" of using Nanso as a political stepping stone, while betraying the organisation. Busch emphasised that although government’s progress in addressing social challenges is not as it should be, much has been done in the past 25 years. “I would have liked him (Amupanda) to change the policies as part of his position as SPYL Secretary for Information, Publicity and Mobilisation. What he has done does not speak to leadership maturity, said Busch. She, however, thinks that it is admirable of him to have identified the struggle for land, but noted that it is not the only issue that needs serious attention. “The same passion, zeal and vigour we use for the land issue needs to be applied to health and education, said Busch. However, she highlighted that Amupanda’s approach is a manifestation of the transformation of youth politics in Namibia. “The current bunch are more educated and exposed that is why Amupanda could identify a struggle for himself. Each generation must come up with their own solutions, said Busch. She also expressed admiration for opposition youth leaders, but pointed out that a new breed of results-driven youth politicians must be born. She added that the onus now lies on the incoming government to keep its leaders in check and to live closer to the electorate. Busch argues that the power of every government lies in listening and responding to the needs of its people. She also took issue with the development of upcoming female leaders, saying there is a serious gap between senior female politicians and their youth counterparts. She also criticised the idea of pushing women into influential positions simply because they are women. WINDHOEK JEMIMA BEUKES