LPM praises surprise break in ranks as ‘visionary’ political move

The Landless People’s Movement (LPM) has expressed disappointment at what it calls Swapo’s "comical and childish" behaviour following the appointment of LPM’s Utaara Mootu as deputy chairperson of the parliamentary standing committee on international relations, defence and security.LPM spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa warned that Swapo’s reaction reveals a party more obsessed with clinging to power than serving the Namibian people. “The initial reaction of shock and finger-pointing was understandable, given the surprise loss. But when Swapo president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah chose to publicly double down on the outrage, it became clear: Swapo is less interested in bipartisan cooperation and more concerned with preserving positions and status at any cost. These are dangerous sentiments.”Maturing democracy The latest political tremor was triggered when Mootu clinched the key position, defeating Swapo’s 22-year-old Fenny Tutjavi despite Swapo’s numerical advantage on the 24-member committee.Swapo holds 13 seats to the opposition’s 11, but Mootu secured victory with 12 votes to 11. This points to an act of defection within Swapo’s own ranks, a perceived act of disloyalty that has enraged the party’s top brass. Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) secretary and MP Ephraim Nekongo slammed the unnamed defector, describing it as a betrayal of the electorate who "queued in large numbers" to vote Swapo into power.LPM added that the break in ranks, however, marked a rare glimpse of political maturity. "Between the two candidates, Utaara Mootu stands head and shoulders above her competitor. Mootu is not only Namibia’s youngest female chief whip but also boasts international representation experience that Swapo’s nominee simply does not yet have. This outcome is not about betrayal; it’s about merit,” Simataa said.He added that democracy "in its best form" prevailed and that the progressive Swapo member who likely voted for Mootu displayed an understanding of the bigger national interest beyond party loyalty. “This loss for Swapo was not about merit. It was about ego. Namibia deserves leaders chosen for their capability, not their political label. The Judas they are vilifying is, in reality, a visionary."nikanor@nmh-hub.com.na

LPM praises surprise break in ranks as ‘visionary’ political move

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-01

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LPM praises surprise break in ranks as ‘visionary’ political move

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-01

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