Quality, not loyalty, will determine NUNW vote

LEADERS of the National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW) have appealed to delegates to the Swapo extraordinary congress to vote for a leader who will create jobs, add value and steer economic planning.

Though not naming which of the three Swapo candidates met the above criteria, NUNW President Risto Kapenda called on delegates to look at the qualities of the contenders and not personal loyalties. The NUNW, which is affiliated to Swapo, will have 15 representatives at the congress.”Some of the candidates attacked us, even before they become president.We need a leader that is sensitive to the workers’ feelings,” said Kapenda.The union leaders said it would be naïve to think that the campaign to the run-up was free and fair.”It is clear that the campaign has not been what we expected.There is a lot of mudslinging and rumours that the NUNW has received vehicles from one candidate.If you think it was free and fair, than you are lying to yourself.You can see for yourself,” said Kapenda.However, the union leaders said they would rally behind any of the three candidates elected over the weekend.Kapenda said it was the prerogative of the union delegates to decide on who was best for the workers.”We just gave them the qualities and that they should look for,” he said.The NUNW, which is affiliated to Swapo, will have 15 representatives at the congress.”Some of the candidates attacked us, even before they become president.We need a leader that is sensitive to the workers’ feelings,” said Kapenda.The union leaders said it would be naïve to think that the campaign to the run-up was free and fair.”It is clear that the campaign has not been what we expected.There is a lot of mudslinging and rumours that the NUNW has received vehicles from one candidate.If you think it was free and fair, than you are lying to yourself.You can see for yourself,” said Kapenda.However, the union leaders said they would rally behind any of the three candidates elected over the weekend.Kapenda said it was the prerogative of the union delegates to decide on who was best for the workers.”We just gave them the qualities and that they should look for,” he said.