Haingura is new Swapo Women’s Secretary

PETRINA Haingura, one of Swapo President Sam Nujoma’s 10 choices for the party list in 2004, has taken over the reins as Secretary of the Swapo Women’s Council following the congress at Rundu over the past weekend.

Haingura, Deputy Minister of Health since 2005, beat out incumbent Secretary Eunice Iipinge following a marathon 12-hour counting of less than 500 votes. Haingura collected 244 votes against the 182 of Iipinge.However, Iipinge garnered 223 votes to remain in the Swapo Women Central Committee.”It was clear that some people were instructed not to vote for her.She was called an [alleged] imperialist outside the congress hall and somebody else claimed she insulted the ‘old man’ (Nujoma),” said one delegate at the congress.Nujoma was expected to open the congress on Friday morning but his speech was read by Safety and Security Minister Peter Tsheehama.Independent sources, however, confirmed that Nujoma was in Rundu later that day and met with some of the delegates for private discussions.Iipinge said she accepted the outcome of the Congress.”I am exiting with happiness and dignity.Everything went very well and (Linea) Shaetonhodi remain as Deputy.That is good for continuity,” was all she said when contacted.Shaetonhodi defeated challenger Mwetulamba Haipinge from the Omusati Region.Some of the delegates The Namibian spoke to were unhappy with the heavy presence of men who were directing the affairs from time to time.Some of the men, who allegedly campaigned for Haingura, were also involved in the counting of the ballots.Haingura, a nurse by profession who joined Swapo in 1980, will lead the women for the next five years.The list for the Central Committee was topped by Information Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, followed by Justice Minister Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana.The Congress accepted a draft plan of action tabled by the Central Committee that will guide the new leadership for the period 2007-2011.Haingura collected 244 votes against the 182 of Iipinge.However, Iipinge garnered 223 votes to remain in the Swapo Women Central Committee.”It was clear that some people were instructed not to vote for her.She was called an [alleged] imperialist outside the congress hall and somebody else claimed she insulted the ‘old man’ (Nujoma),” said one delegate at the congress.Nujoma was expected to open the congress on Friday morning but his speech was read by Safety and Security Minister Peter Tsheehama.Independent sources, however, confirmed that Nujoma was in Rundu later that day and met with some of the delegates for private discussions.Iipinge said she accepted the outcome of the Congress.”I am exiting with happiness and dignity.Everything went very well and (Linea) Shaetonhodi remain as Deputy.That is good for continuity,” was all she said when contacted.Shaetonhodi defeated challenger Mwetulamba Haipinge from the Omusati Region.Some of the delegates The Namibian spoke to were unhappy with the heavy presence of men who were directing the affairs from time to time.Some of the men, who allegedly campaigned for Haingura, were also involved in the counting of the ballots.Haingura, a nurse by profession who joined Swapo in 1980, will lead the women for the next five years.The list for the Central Committee was topped by Information Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, followed by Justice Minister Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana.The Congress accepted a draft plan of action tabled by the Central Committee that will guide the new leadership for the period 2007-2011.