Unity post-2027 key to 'Swapo’s survival'

Swapo president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has warned that the party’s hold on power depends on unity, cautioning that internal divisions could further jeopardise its slender 53% lead ahead of the 2029 general election, where it seeks to reclaim its lost two-thirds majority.

Speaking on Network Television’s The Agenda over the weekend, the president stressed that the party’s future hinges on discipline, unity and a shared direction.

“Having gone through what we experienced last year [improved performance in the local authority and regional council elections] gives us confidence as party leaders – at national, regional and constituency levels – that if we are united and moving in the same direction, we will be able to reclaim our two-thirds majority,” she said.

Nandi-Ndaitwah was unequivocal about the consequences of division. “Divided, we will never move forward. As a party leader, it is my responsibility to bring both the leadership and the membership together. That is the only way forward."

Her remarks come as Swapo prepares for a pivotal elective congress next year, which she warned must consolidate, rather than deepen, internal fractures.

“I know that people are already focused on next year’s congress.

"This is a decisive congress, but it should be one that consolidates, not one that divides us. If we do not come out of that congress united, we will not be doing justice to our party or to our country,” she cautioned.

Strong competition

Nandi-Ndaitwah acknowledged that, while internal democracy has strengthened participation within Swapo, it has also exposed fault lines.

“I have to say that the party has been doing very well, particularly up to the point when our founding president [Sam Nujoma] could no longer serve. We were also influenced by the environment in which we operate, as democracy has become part of our system, which is a good thing.”

The president added that the party had introduced contestation for its highest office and that, “naturally, wherever there is contestation, some people support one candidate and others support another".

However, she admitted that internal competition has not always worked in the party’s favour.

“It has not worked well for us, but we need to work on it, because what we really need is to consolidate unity within the party leadership. When the leadership is focused on building the party, we will not go wrong. That must remain the focus."

Collective goals

Reflecting on her election at last year’s extraordinary congress, Nandi-Ndaitwah said Swapo had already demonstrated what unity can achieve.

“At the extraordinary congress last year, where I was elected president of the Swapo Party to complete the remaining term, we set ourselves a goal as party leaders: to ensure that, come the regional and local elections, Swapo regains its glory. Because we all bought into that idea, we performed well in those elections,” she said.

She pointed out that the party had previously suffered setbacks in key economic hubs but managed to recover through collective resolve.

“Prior to that, we had lost two regions – key economic hubs, including Keetmanshoop, Windhoek, Swakopmund and Walvis Bay. But today, because of the decisions we took at the extraordinary congress and because we influenced our members, we have consolidated,” she said.

“That is where I stand now as the leader of the party. I am still working to maintain the unity we had leading up to the November elections. Whatever differences we may have, we should not personalise issues. Let us focus on the bigger picture – the growth and strength of our party,” Nandi-Ndaitwah added.

Acknowledging that internal contests are inherently challenging, she maintained that they are essential to Swapo’s democratic identity.

“Swapo subjects itself to this process every five years. It is a very difficult process, yet as a party we have committed to it. The downside is that people align themselves with different candidates. But how we emerge from that process is what matters most,” she said.

With 2027 fast approaching, Nandi-Ndaitwah made it clear that unity is no longer optional but a political necessity. “We must find each other,” she said.

Time to prepare

A Swapo stalwart, speaking anonymously, told Namibian Sun that all political parties strive for unity, but the challenge lies in achieving it.

“It is easy to talk about unity, but the question is how to genuinely promote it within the party. All political leaders want unity among their members, but how you achieve it is the biggest challenge,” the source said.

Another party veteran, Helmut Angula, echoed the president’s sentiment, emphasising the need for a united front going into congress.

“We need to go there united by all means. Even though it’s too early to predict how it will play out, we have ample time to mobilise the masses and restore trust and confidence in Swapo,” he said.

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