Kauandenge suspension points to young-old tension in Nudo

THE suspension of Nudo Secretary General Joseph Kauandenge could lift the lid on a possible rift between the party’s younger and older generations ahead of the November elections.

National Unity Democratic Organisation insiders told The Namibian that the party’s youth had recently been pushing for increased role for themselves in decision-making, particularly in view of nomination of candidates for the November elections. “It’s probably one of the best kept secrets, but there is serious feuding between the old and the young guns.It’s all about positions,” remarked one insider.The view was reinforced by one member of the Nudo Youth League (NYL) upon hearing the news of the outspoken Kauandenge’s suspension.”They want to marginalise the youth.We don’t want only those 50-year-olds to represent us [in parliament], there has to be a balance” the youth league member charged.The National Bureau of Nudo, the party’s third highest decision-making organ after congress and the central committee, suspended Kauandenge with immediate effect on Sunday.Initially the party did not divulge the charges against its third-in-command, but later informed The Namibian that Kauandenge was accused of financial mismanagement and contravention of the party’s procedures.”He [Kauandenge] was reprimanded on several occasions by the leadership in a bid to rein his conduct.He received a couple of verbal warnings and advice but he repeatedly ignored them… it was high time that the party took serious action,” Nudo’s Secretary for Legal Affairs, Sam Kauapirura said.He could not reveal the exact amount of Nudo money which went missing while under Kauandenge’s custody, but only declared that “it is a substantial amount for a party like Nudo with very limited resources”.Kauapirura scoffed at suggestions of a rift between the youth and the old guards within Nudo, which broke away from the DTA alliance less than a year ago.”If you look at our National Bureau, it is the most balanced in terms of generational representation,” he said.After initially refusing to comment on the matter, Kauandenge questioned the legitimacy of Saturday’s National Bureau meeting which took the decision to suspend him, charging it was not properly constituted and convened.”The party’s Constitution requires that 14 days notice be given ahead of any National Bureau meeting, this was not adhered to… the real people who attended that meeting is also questionable,” he charged.Though the party conceded that the Saturday gathering was initially meant to be an informal party caucus, it was later turned into a “fully-fledged” National Bureau meeting.Kauandenge also spoke about the alleged rift between younger and older generations in the party, as well as internal wrangles caused by the nomination of candidates, saying that could be the main factors behind his surprise suspension.”I’m not involved in any irregularity.I am still a bona fide member of Nudo and I will go to Otjinene [for the Nudo central committee meeting at the weekend] to answer all charges against me,” said the youthful Kauandenge.”It’s probably one of the best kept secrets, but there is serious feuding between the old and the young guns.It’s all about positions,” remarked one insider.The view was reinforced by one member of the Nudo Youth League (NYL) upon hearing the news of the outspoken Kauandenge’s suspension.”They want to marginalise the youth.We don’t want only those 50-year-olds to represent us [in parliament], there has to be a balance” the youth league member charged.The National Bureau of Nudo, the party’s third highest decision-making organ after congress and the central committee, suspended Kauandenge with immediate effect on Sunday.Initially the party did not divulge the charges against its third-in-command, but later informed The Namibian that Kauandenge was accused of financial mismanagement and contravention of the party’s procedures.”He [Kauandenge] was reprimanded on several occasions by the leadership in a bid to rein his conduct.He received a couple of verbal warnings and advice but he repeatedly ignored them… it was high time that the party took serious action,” Nudo’s Secretary for Legal Affairs, Sam Kauapirura said.He could not reveal the exact amount of Nudo money which went missing while under Kauandenge’s custody, but only declared that “it is a substantial amount for a party like Nudo with very limited resources”.Kauapirura scoffed at suggestions of a rift between the youth and the old guards within Nudo, which broke away from the DTA alliance less than a year ago.”If you look at our National Bureau, it is the most balanced in terms of generational representation,” he said.After initially refusing to comment on the matter, Kauandenge questioned the legitimacy of Saturday’s National Bureau meeting which took the decision to suspend him, charging it was not properly constituted and convened.”The party’s Constitution requires that 14 days notice be given ahead of any National Bureau meeting, this was not adhered to… the real people who attended that meeting is also questionable,” he charged.Though the party conceded that the Saturday gathering was initially meant to be an informal party caucus, it was later turned into a “fully-fledged” National Bureau meeting.Kauandenge also spoke about the alleged rift between younger and older generations in the party, as well as internal wrangles caused by the nomination of candidates, saying that could be the main factors behind his surprise suspension.”I’m not involved in any irregularity.I am still a bona fide member of Nudo and I will go to Otjinene [for the Nudo central committee meeting at the weekend] to answer all charges against me,” said the youthful Kauandenge.