Struggle kids join SPYL en masse

WINDHOEKSELMA IKELA

A group of 210 struggle kids camping in Windhoek to demand government jobs have decided to join the Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) en masse.
The registrations with SPYL started on Monday.
"We are waiting for the group members to submit their forms along with a N$2,50 registration fee, before we submit the forms to the Swapo offices," said group spokesperson Lucas Ndakolo.
Ndakolo, 25, who is part of the group camping in tents along the road in the Okahandja Park informal settlement, told Namibian Sun that their decision to join SPYL was taken to quash rumours that opposition parties were "pushing" them.
Sources within the group say they were apparently told that unless they presented their Swapo membership cards, they would not be considered for jobs.
"We want to show our elders where we stand. We are here for Swapo. We are born in Swapo, we did not join Swapo. And we are not here for different political parties," Ndakolo said when asked if the SPYL membership drive was about them getting jobs from government.
Ndakolo said the idea to register with the SPYL had been hatched some time ago and they had attended an SPYL media conference last week where the organisation apologised for criticising and insulting Swapo leaders.
"We went at the media briefing last week and spoke to the youth leaders and asked them to assist us so that we can all get registered and be issued with our membership cards all at once," said Ndakolo.
SPYL Khomas regional secretary Paulus Immanuel said: "It makes me feel good. They are starting to understand that if you do not have membership then you are not a member."
He added that it was an honour to receive the struggle kids as members, as they came from various regions and may not all have understood how important it was to join the party.
"When I went there I went with the constitution of the SPYL and Swapo. I read to them the rights and obligations of a member and tried to explain what that meant," Immanuel said.
He said the discussions had not included jobs. He said the SPYL was a movement and could not promise anyone a job.
He said the stance of Swapo was quite clear that the struggle kids should go home and wait until the government addresses their demands.