RDP’s ‘700’ create a stir

NEWS about a new Namibian political party being established has been received with mixed feelings, but huge interest.

While political parties stayed mainly tightlipped about the move, The Namibian was yesterday inundated with phone calls about “who’s on the list of the new party?” The Rally for Democracy and Progress was registered with the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) on Friday after it met the criteria – one of which is to provide 700 names of members. It has former Trade Minister Jesaya Nyamu as its acting President, while former Telecom employee Stephanus Bezuidenhout is given as the Secretary.The party has opted to keep the names of its top leadership under wraps for now, saying they will be revealed in time.’GOOD FOR DEMOCRACY’ Katuutire Kaura, President of DTA, said he expected a rough time for the new party.”They will get a little bit of support here and a bit of support there.But it will be really tough for them.You know how it went with the CoD (Congress of Democrats) at the beginning,” he said.Kaura said establishing a new political party was a costly affair “especially when you fight Swapo with its Government machinery and resources”.For him it was interesting to note that Nyamu was the one heading the new party.Kaura recalled how in 1964 he travelled on the same plane as Nyamu to the United States to study.”He was a heart and soul Swapo (man).For him, Swapo could do nothing wrong.Unfortunately human beings are human beings and he became a victim of somebody’s errors,” he said.Kaura feels that the arrival of the new party is good for democracy.MORE DETAILS Details about the membership and plans of the new party will be announced either towards the end of this week or early next week, sources said.On Sunday, Nyamu said they had plans to launch the party and said the names of others would be revealed “very soon”.Nyamu was booted from Swapo after notes were found in his office at the Ministry of Trade in which he mulled that those who supported Swapo MP Hidipo Hamutenya had two options – either to leave the party or fight from within.Nyamu made no secret that the notes were his but questioned how the ruling party’s top leadership got hold of them in his office.Hamutenya remained in the party and later became a Member of Parliament.Hamutenya has never publicly stated whether he was contemplating leaving Swapo.Nyamu is confident that a host of top Swapo leaders will soon resign to join him.It has former Trade Minister Jesaya Nyamu as its acting President, while former Telecom employee Stephanus Bezuidenhout is given as the Secretary.The party has opted to keep the names of its top leadership under wraps for now, saying they will be revealed in time.’GOOD FOR DEMOCRACY’ Katuutire Kaura, President of DTA, said he expected a rough time for the new party.”They will get a little bit of support here and a bit of support there.But it will be really tough for them.You know how it went with the CoD (Congress of Democrats) at the beginning,” he said.Kaura said establishing a new political party was a costly affair “especially when you fight Swapo with its Government machinery and resources”.For him it was interesting to note that Nyamu was the one heading the new party. Kaura recalled how in 1964 he travelled on the same plane as Nyamu to the United States to study.”He was a heart and soul Swapo (man).For him, Swapo could do nothing wrong.Unfortunately human beings are human beings and he became a victim of somebody’s errors,” he said.Kaura feels that the arrival of the new party is good for democracy.MORE DETAILS Details about the membership and plans of the new party will be announced either towards the end of this week or early next week, sources said.On Sunday, Nyamu said they had plans to launch the party and said the names of others would be revealed “very soon”.Nyamu was booted from Swapo after notes were found in his office at the Ministry of Trade in which he mulled that those who supported Swapo MP Hidipo Hamutenya had two options – either to leave the party or fight from within.Nyamu made no secret that the notes were his but questioned how the ruling party’s top leadership got hold of them in his office.Hamutenya remained in the party and later became a Member of Parliament.Hamutenya has never publicly stated whether he was contemplating leaving Swapo.Nyamu is confident that a host of top Swapo leaders will soon resign to join him.