Swapo elders urged to unify

Swapo Party Elders Council secretary Mukwaita Shanyengana has urged his counterparts to mobilise support to ensure the party remains in power.

He made the comments following his re-election and that of his deputy Marry Masule this past weekend at the council’s just concluded congress.

“The elders have a task to advise the party, the government, the community and the youth. They also have a task to mobilise the people to vote for the party and to make sure Swapo wins and wins forever,” Shanyengana said on the sidelines of the congress.

He has been the council’s secretary since May 2014 following the death of former secretary Frederick Matongo in 2013.

Avoid infighting

Former president Hifikepunye Pohamba also called for unity in the council in a speech that was delivered on his behalf by Swapo Party secretary-general Sophia Shaningwa.

“As founders, it is imperative that we exercise a high degree of solidarity and comradeship in our activities and interactions. The elders must avoid - at all costs - infighting and disunity.”

Pohamba also called for unity at all levels of the party.

“I am appealing that we maintain unity, peace and stability at all levels of our party,” he said.

‘Blessings flow from unity’

In a speech also read on his behalf by Shaningwa, founding president Sam Nujoma echoed Pohamba’s sentiments.

“Blessings flow from unity while many disasters follow disunity. We must seriously address the issue of unity head on.

“We must save the Swapo Party. The Swapo Party must refuse to be drawn into tribal and factional politics.”