Marathon congress drains emotions

THE half moon was above the President’s Hall of the Windhoek Show Society, as the elections director announced that Lands Minister Hifikepunye Lucas Pohamba was halfway to becoming President-elect.

Just as Windhoek’s street lamps overwhelmed the moonlight, Pohamba needed the votes of nomination contender Nahas Angula to drown out the challenge of former Foreign Affairs Minister Hidipo Hamutenya. Angula, one of three nominees for the ruling party’s presidential candidate in the upcoming national elections, had fallen out in the first round.By the time Pohamba wrapped it up in the early hours of a chilly Sunday morning, the moon had long retired, leaving the twinkling stars to light up the sky for Swapo’s congress delegates as they moved celebrations from the Show Grounds to the party’s head office in Katutura.The celebrations seemed less about rejoicing over Pohamba’s victory than letting off steam over the events of the preceding week that had raised the tension among the nominees and their supporters.It had been an arduous trip to Swapo’s watershed special congress called to select a successor to President Sam Nujoma.THE HOUR ARRIVESA sense of trepidation hung in the air as the more than 500 delegates gathered on Friday.After weeks of reports that Nujoma was campaigning against Hamutenya, the President set a confrontational tone on Monday by dismissing his Foreign Affairs Minister and his protege.Hamutenya defended himself, saying he was fired on flimsy grounds and suggested that dirty tricks had been used to get him out of the race.Shortly before the congress opens, some delegates talk about their fears and concerns.For others, the body language shows that their nerves are on edge.That same day, one of the delegates is reportedly admitted for psychiatric treatment after a nervous breakdown.One delegate said the person from the Oshikoto Region was overwhelmed by the pressure of “political elephants” fighting.Others say the breakdown may have been caused by party politics in the regions rather than the presidential race.In the hall by 18h00 – Many delegates try to disguise their jitters by singing and dancing to liberation music.Anti-colonial tunes, such as Mambulu djeimo moNamibia (Boers get out of Namibia) are still a potent rallying cry in the ruling party.Nujoma’s restrained opening statement seems to soothe the anxiety of expectant delegates.Friday night passes without much fanfare.D-DAYDelegates, adorned in Swapo colours – suits, scarves, beads and hats – return the next morning for the election.They are locked in the meeting hall, and had yet to start voting by 13h00, as they listened to the candidates and their backers promoting themselves.By then people had already caucused often and for a long time, and had agreed who to vote for, or agreed to disagree.Voting is over by 17h00.An hour later they are back in the hall, ostensibly to hear the results.More songs:Olye ngoka ta ende kombanda yomeya? Hailwa Sema yaNujoma (Who’s that walking on water? Comrade Sam Nujoma).Anxiety builds up.The hall falls silent when Bonny Haufiku takes the microphone.He is only looking for a lost ID.More tense moments for the candidates and their supporters, eyes to the desk in front and to the television screens.20h35: Angula, Hamutenya and Pohamba give journalists a photo opportunity.Waiting continues.21h25: Elections director, acting Judge Petrus Damaseb, walks in.21h35: Nujoma follows, his fist punching the air as the crowd sings Sema owu li peni? (Sam where are you?).He seems tense and nervous.Damaseb announces the first results.Delegates must vote again and reconvene at 03h00.The final results are out by 03h35.Half an hour later, Nujoma looks at his watch when Tjiriange announces that celebrations will continue with the braai at Swapo headquarters.There is no moon by then, but plenty of stars in the sky.Celebrations continued through Sunday.”Swapo is the winner,” says Swapo activist Willem Nathinge.Angula, one of three nominees for the ruling party’s presidential candidate in the upcoming national elections, had fallen out in the first round.By the time Pohamba wrapped it up in the early hours of a chilly Sunday morning, the moon had long retired, leaving the twinkling stars to light up the sky for Swapo’s congress delegates as they moved celebrations from the Show Grounds to the party’s head office in Katutura.The celebrations seemed less about rejoicing over Pohamba’s victory than letting off steam over the events of the preceding week that had raised the tension among the nominees and their supporters.It had been an arduous trip to Swapo’s watershed special congress called to select a successor to President Sam Nujoma.THE HOUR ARRIVESA sense of trepidation hung in the air as the more than 500 delegates gathered on Friday.After weeks of reports that Nujoma was campaigning against Hamutenya, the President set a confrontational tone on Monday by dismissing his Foreign Affairs Minister and his protege.Hamutenya defended himself, saying he was fired on flimsy grounds and suggested that dirty tricks had been used to get him out of the race.Shortly before the congress opens, some delegates talk about their fears and concerns.For others, the body language shows that their nerves are on edge.That same day, one of the delegates is reportedly admitted for psychiatric treatment after a nervous breakdown.One delegate said the person from the Oshikoto Region was overwhelmed by the pressure of “political elephants” fighting.Others say the breakdown may have been caused by party politics in the regions rather than the presidential race.In the hall by 18h00 – Many delegates try to disguise their jitters by singing and dancing to liberation music.Anti-colonial tunes, such as Mambulu djeimo moNamibia (Boers get out of Namibia) are still a potent rallying cry in the ruling party.Nujoma’s restrained opening statement seems to soothe the anxiety of expectant delegates.Friday night passes without much fanfare.D-DAYDelegates, adorned in Swapo colours – suits, scarves, beads and hats – return the next morning for the election.They are locked in the meeting hall, and had yet to start voting by 13h00, as they listened to the candidates and their backers promoting themselves.By then people had already caucused often and for a long time, and had agreed who to vote for, or agreed to disagree.Voting is over by 17h00.An hour later they are back in the hall, ostensibly to hear the results.More songs:Olye ngoka ta ende kombanda yomeya? Hailwa Sema yaNujoma (Who’s that walking on water? Comrade Sam Nujoma).Anxiety builds up.The hall falls silent when Bonny Haufiku takes the microphone.He is only looking for a lost ID.More tense moments for the candidates and their supporters, eyes to the desk in front and to the television screens.20h35: Angula, Hamutenya and Pohamba give journalists a photo opportunity.Waiting continues.21h25: Elections director, acting Judge Petrus Damaseb, walks in.21h35: Nujoma follows, his fist punching the air as the crowd sings Sema owu li peni? (Sam where are you?).He seems tense and nervous.Damaseb announces the first results.Delegates must vote again and reconvene at 03h00.The final results are out by 03h35.Half an hour later, Nujoma looks at his watch when Tjiriange announces that celebrations will continue with the braai at Swapo headquarters.There is no moon by then, but plenty of stars in the sky.Celebrations continued through Sunday.”Swapo is the winner,” says Swapo activist Willem Nathinge.