Swapo Party Youth League secretary Ephraim Nekongo has blamed non-compliance and illegitimate delegates for the chaotic postponement of the National Youth Council’s general assembly at Swakopmund.
He raised the matter in the National Assembly on Tuesday while questioning deputy minister of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture Dino Ballotti about the suspended assembly and the timeline for announcing a new election date.
Nekongo condemned the disorder that unfolded at this past weekend’s gathering, claiming many of the delegates present were not legitimate representatives of youth organisations and referring to them as “cuca shop delegates”.
“It became clear that the majority of delegates did not even know what the NYC is and what its mandate is.
All they were told was to go to Swakopmund to drink and sing revolutionary South African songs,” he told The Namibian yesterday.
Nekongo said some delegates were allegedly invited to attend the event as a weekend getaway with the promise of free alcohol.
He said the assembly failed to focus on issues affecting young people and the council.
“Can we responsibly allow such delegates to decide the leadership of the council?
The answer is a big no,” he said.
Nekongo said young people should be allowed to debate issues affecting the council freely and without undue influence.
He dismissed claims that the youth league was responsible for the disruptions, noting that only four Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) delegates were present at the assembly.
“We agree that perhaps the majority of young people are from Swapo, and therefore people will continue saying SPYL this and SPYL that,” he said.
Nekongo asked how long it would take the ministry to investigate allegations relating to compliance and delegate accreditation.
Responding in the National Assembly, Ballotti on Tuesday said several matters arising from the assembly are currently before the courts and investigations are ongoing.
“As some of these matters are before the court, it would be premature for the ministry to comment on the allegations or announce a new date for the assembly,” he said.
The NYC general assembly was postponed following disputes over delegate accreditation, concerns over the credibility of the electoral process, and safety issues that emerged during the proceedings.
The council’s interim board has since been tasked with determining a new date for the meeting.
Speaking to Desert Radio yesterday, Nekongo clarified that the SPYL did not endorse Esther Simon for the NYC chairperson position, but merely nominated her as a candidate.
He said the assembly should not be rushed and that the issues that contributed to the collapse of the gathering must first be addressed.
“We do not condone violence,” he said.
Supporters of candidate Simon Taapopi, however, rejected Nekongo’s “cuca shop delegates” remarks, describing this as disrespectful.
Speaking on behalf of affiliated organisations and regional youth forums supporting Taapopi, Luciano Kambala this week said delegates are elected through recognised regional youth conference structures and not recruited “from drinking establishments”.
“It is unfortunate that a leader would resort to such public statements. People should first understand how the NYC processes work before making such unfounded claims,” he said.
