Swapo explains away Erongo 'walk-out'
Delegates ‘begged’ to listen to other candidates
Swapo leadership poured cold water over claims that Erongo Region delegates refused to listen to speeches by the other two vice-president candidates last weekend.
The Swapo headquarters has pleaded ignorance to the walk-out of Erongo Region delegates during a briefing with the party’s vice-president candidates - right after Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah delivered her speech.
The party last month launched its internal campaign for its top three positions – vice-president, secretary-general and deputy secretary-general - and laid down strict rules.
These include the prohibition of de-campaigning opponents and smear campaigns, which had been the norm in the party’s last congresses.
Incumbent vice-president Nandi-Ndaitwah is going up against Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila and Pohamba Shifeta.
The candidates are touring the regions in one accord, as stipulated by the newly introduced campaign rules, and party cadres are obligated to sit through every candidate’s presentation.
However, according to insiders, the Erongo delegates who walked out when Nandi-Ndaitwah left the podium had to be begged to return to the hall to listen to the other candidates.
Daniel Muhuura, Swapo's Erongo coordinator, however, shirked off claims that the delegates staged a walk-out, saying they merely “escorted the candidates after the presentation”.
Namibia is a democracy
Former deputy works minister James Sankwasa, who responded on behalf of Nandi-Ndaitwah, said since the campaign took shape, all candidates are accompanied by their supporters immediately after delivering their campaign speeches in a show of solidarity.
He also made it clear that he is not Nandi-Ndaitwah’s campaign spokesperson, but merely “a supporter”.
“Her supporters, who formed almost 95% of people in the hall, escorted her to her car after delivering her speech. “There was a short break of about 10 minutes, as it always happens wherever the campaigns have taken place, before the other presidential hopefuls and those for the other positions [took to the podium].
“In Erongo, members celebrated outside the hall before the following session started. It is therefore not correct to say delegates walked out.
“It should further be appreciated that Namibia is a democratic country where an individual is free to exercise his or her own choice and preferences as a right. If members choose not to listen to a speech by a particular candidate, it should not, must not and cannot be said that they were influenced by someone else, let alone Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.
“Let people exercise their right of choice,” Sankwasa urged.
He further pointed out that Nandi-Ndaitwah, in her capacity as party vice-president, is under no obligation to control the room or delegates, let alone members attending public political meetings.
Unity and credibility
Swapo spokesperson Hilma Nicanor, although denying the incident, pointed out that candidates are expected to follow the party’s campaign rules to the letter.
“Delegates are expected to treat all candidates the same way and there are clear rules on how we should conduct ourselves during the campaign. As a party, we are working very hard to maintain unity and credibility,” she said.
She also stressed that “we are not in groups” and that, per the party’s rules, no candidate is allowed to appoint a campaign manager or spokesperson.
- [email protected]
The party last month launched its internal campaign for its top three positions – vice-president, secretary-general and deputy secretary-general - and laid down strict rules.
These include the prohibition of de-campaigning opponents and smear campaigns, which had been the norm in the party’s last congresses.
Incumbent vice-president Nandi-Ndaitwah is going up against Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila and Pohamba Shifeta.
The candidates are touring the regions in one accord, as stipulated by the newly introduced campaign rules, and party cadres are obligated to sit through every candidate’s presentation.
However, according to insiders, the Erongo delegates who walked out when Nandi-Ndaitwah left the podium had to be begged to return to the hall to listen to the other candidates.
Daniel Muhuura, Swapo's Erongo coordinator, however, shirked off claims that the delegates staged a walk-out, saying they merely “escorted the candidates after the presentation”.
Namibia is a democracy
Former deputy works minister James Sankwasa, who responded on behalf of Nandi-Ndaitwah, said since the campaign took shape, all candidates are accompanied by their supporters immediately after delivering their campaign speeches in a show of solidarity.
He also made it clear that he is not Nandi-Ndaitwah’s campaign spokesperson, but merely “a supporter”.
“Her supporters, who formed almost 95% of people in the hall, escorted her to her car after delivering her speech. “There was a short break of about 10 minutes, as it always happens wherever the campaigns have taken place, before the other presidential hopefuls and those for the other positions [took to the podium].
“In Erongo, members celebrated outside the hall before the following session started. It is therefore not correct to say delegates walked out.
“It should further be appreciated that Namibia is a democratic country where an individual is free to exercise his or her own choice and preferences as a right. If members choose not to listen to a speech by a particular candidate, it should not, must not and cannot be said that they were influenced by someone else, let alone Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.
“Let people exercise their right of choice,” Sankwasa urged.
He further pointed out that Nandi-Ndaitwah, in her capacity as party vice-president, is under no obligation to control the room or delegates, let alone members attending public political meetings.
Unity and credibility
Swapo spokesperson Hilma Nicanor, although denying the incident, pointed out that candidates are expected to follow the party’s campaign rules to the letter.
“Delegates are expected to treat all candidates the same way and there are clear rules on how we should conduct ourselves during the campaign. As a party, we are working very hard to maintain unity and credibility,” she said.
She also stressed that “we are not in groups” and that, per the party’s rules, no candidate is allowed to appoint a campaign manager or spokesperson.
- [email protected]
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