President ‘tests the waters’ with Swapo Youth League

PRESIDENT Sam Nujoma railed against imperialists in a closed session with Swapo Youth League (SYL) Central Committee members at the weekend, a move some interpreted as an veiled attempt to push for a fourth presidential term.

Sources who attended the meeting said the President “indirectly” indicated he was willing to go for another term. Nujoma reportedly said people had been asking him to “stand” for another term, which, at present, is unconstitutional.However, SYL Secretary, Paulus Kapia said the issue of succession was neither discussed in the normal Central Committee meeting, as it was not on the agenda, nor in the closed session with President Nujoma.Nujoma allegedly told the Central Committee meeting that he had told anyone who had asked him about the possibility of a fourth term that he would “abide by” both the Swapo Party and the country’s constitutions.The President opened the meeting on Saturday morning, cautioning the Swapo youth that if they became idle “the forces of imperialism” would mislead them.”Imperialist churches like the Jehovah’s Witnesses, Universal churches will come and recruit our youth if they are not involved in daily activities,” said Nujoma when officially opening the meeting.Nujoma pointed to the militaristic National Youth Service (NYS), set up to absorb some school leavers through skills training, as a perfect example of keeping young people occupied and away from the temptations of the imperialists.The President said he was “impressed by the activities of the NYS” at Berg Aukas, 20 km north of Grootfontein, where they have been tilling the land and cultivating.”They have also wiped out ethnicity and tribalism,” he said.Kapia said the meeting was called to discuss issues facing the youth as well as to look at “progress made” since the Swapo Congress in August 2002.One of the highlights of the opening of the third SYL Central Committee meeting was an announcement that Kapia’s former Deputy, Lempy Lucas, has been awarded honorary membership of Swapo’s youth wing.Lucas left the Youth League in 2002, having reached the organisation’s age limit of 35 years.Peya Mushelenga, a member of the Swapo Central Committee, nominated Lucas for the honorary membership.An honorary member can participate in the Youth League’s activities but cannot vote.Nujoma reportedly said people had been asking him to “stand” for another term, which, at present, is unconstitutional.However, SYL Secretary, Paulus Kapia said the issue of succession was neither discussed in the normal Central Committee meeting, as it was not on the agenda, nor in the closed session with President Nujoma.Nujoma allegedly told the Central Committee meeting that he had told anyone who had asked him about the possibility of a fourth term that he would “abide by” both the Swapo Party and the country’s constitutions.The President opened the meeting on Saturday morning, cautioning the Swapo youth that if they became idle “the forces of imperialism” would mislead them.”Imperialist churches like the Jehovah’s Witnesses, Universal churches will come and recruit our youth if they are not involved in daily activities,” said Nujoma when officially opening the meeting.Nujoma pointed to the militaristic National Youth Service (NYS), set up to absorb some school leavers through skills training, as a perfect example of keeping young people occupied and away from the temptations of the imperialists.The President said he was “impressed by the activities of the NYS” at Berg Aukas, 20 km north of Grootfontein, where they have been tilling the land and cultivating.”They have also wiped out ethnicity and tribalism,” he said.Kapia said the meeting was called to discuss issues facing the youth as well as to look at “progress made” since the Swapo Congress in August 2002.One of the highlights of the opening of the third SYL Central Committee meeting was an announcement that Kapia’s former Deputy, Lempy Lucas, has been awarded honorary membership of Swapo’s youth wing.Lucas left the Youth League in 2002, having reached the organisation’s age limit of 35 years. Peya Mushelenga, a member of the Swapo Central Committee, nominated Lucas for the honorary membership.An honorary member can participate in the Youth League’s activities but cannot vote.