Nudo says Swapo presidential candidates ‘are all unsuitable’

THE National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo) has launched a scathing attack on Swapo’s three presidential candidates, charging that their track records as ministers are not impressive.

Addressing more than a thousand supporters in Katutura on Saturday, Nudo President Kuaima Riruako challenged the three candidates – Hifikepunye Pohamba, the Minister of Lands, Nahas Angula, the Minister for Higher Education and Employment Creation and Foreign Affairs Minister Hidipo Hamutenya – to prove their credentials to the nation. Riruako specifically singled out Pohamba for harsh words, charging that the country’s land reform and resettlement programmes were “a complete mess”.”If he cannot make it running only one Ministry, will he able to make it as president of the entire country?” Riruako questioned.Turning to Angula, the Nudo President accused the Higher Education Minister of “throwing” thousands of Namibian youths onto the streets, and failing to deal with the country’s high unemployment rate.He said Hamutenya’s performance was “equally uninspiring” because he allegedly failed to correct the tribal imbalance which characterised Namibia’s foreign missions.Riruako, who reiterated his earlier calls for a government of national unity, further charged that the fact that Swapo’s presidential candidates all came from one ethnic group “speaks volumes about Swapo’s true colours”.One of Nudo’s candidates for the Windhoek local authority, Maria Lourence, called for the National Housing Enterprise (NHE) to be abolished .She said the parastatal has failed to provide adequate and affordable housing to the capital’s residents.”The mouse holes they provide are too expensive for the masses and they are vulnerable to natural disasters like floods,” she charged to cheers.Lourence then took a swipe at the current Windhoek local authority councillors for allegedly boasting about “a clean city” while the majority of residents lived in shacks and went to bed hungry.Nudo said basic services, such as water and electricity, had become too expensive because of privatisation, and urged that these utilities be entrusted to municipalities.At the same occasion, Nudo candidates for the Windhoek local authority election – nine women and six men – were introduced to the public.Riruako specifically singled out Pohamba for harsh words, charging that the country’s land reform and resettlement programmes were “a complete mess”.”If he cannot make it running only one Ministry, will he able to make it as president of the entire country?” Riruako questioned.Turning to Angula, the Nudo President accused the Higher Education Minister of “throwing” thousands of Namibian youths onto the streets, and failing to deal with the country’s high unemployment rate.He said Hamutenya’s performance was “equally uninspiring” because he allegedly failed to correct the tribal imbalance which characterised Namibia’s foreign missions.Riruako, who reiterated his earlier calls for a government of national unity, further charged that the fact that Swapo’s presidential candidates all came from one ethnic group “speaks volumes about Swapo’s true colours”.One of Nudo’s candidates for the Windhoek local authority, Maria Lourence, called for the National Housing Enterprise (NHE) to be abolished .She said the parastatal has failed to provide adequate and affordable housing to the capital’s residents.”The mouse holes they provide are too expensive for the masses and they are vulnerable to natural disasters like floods,” she charged to cheers.Lourence then took a swipe at the current Windhoek local authority councillors for allegedly boasting about “a clean city” while the majority of residents lived in shacks and went to bed hungry.Nudo said basic services, such as water and electricity, had become too expensive because of privatisation, and urged that these utilities be entrusted to municipalities.At the same occasion, Nudo candidates for the Windhoek local authority election – nine women and six men – were introduced to the public.