Haingura blamed for poor showing of women

SWAPO has, once again, given the thumbs down to regional efforts to promote women in politics after the party failed to meet the desired 50 per cent representation on its list of candidates for the National Assembly.

In fact, the Swapo Party Women’s Council who promised two years ago to campaign vigorously for a zebra-list, contributed in a major way when they failed to replace three regional councillors who were withdrawn from their list two day before the elections.Deputy chairperson of the National Council Magreth Mensah-Williams, Hardap Governor Katrina Hanse-Himarwa and Sophie Shaningwa were withdrawn because the party, officially, decided not to gamble with by-elections.They were not replaced as the Women’s Council only sent seven delegates of which only two were standing for election.Petrina Haingura is the only female in the top 19 places, a clear indication of how the delegates shunned women.Three other stalwarts – Deputy Prime Minister Libertina Amathila who is retiring, Secretary General Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana an automatic choice and Finance Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila (on the President’s list) – did not stand.They are all known to score high when standing.’Blame Haingura. She should have replaced the three,’ said one delegate to the Electoral College.Another said there was not enough time for Haingura to replace the three although the Women’s Council had managed to send five more additional delegates after the rules were changed at the last minute by the top four of the party.’I did my job,’ said Haingura.She told The Namibian that she went to the regions to lobby for support and, that the regions did sent women to the college apart from those sent by the Women’s Council. Haingura said she led the horse to water but she could not force it to drink. Namibia is a signatory to the Southern African Development Community protocol which calls for a 50/50 representation of women at all levels of government and politics.The current National Assembly has around 30 per cent women representation which is far below the desired target and with the likes of Women Affairs Minister Marlene Mungunda, Hansina Christiaan, Deputy Education Minister Becky Ndjoze-Ojo, Eunice Ipinge and even Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah virtually out, the number will be reduced significantly.Some hoped that President Hifikepunye Pohamba will use his powers to appoint six additional women, based on their expertise, to the National Assembly.They will not have voting powers in the National Assembly, however.