Swapo calls for ‘maximum unity’

A CRUCIAL meeting called by the Swapo Party to take stock of its performance ended in the capital city yesterday with a call for “unity of purpose” within the ranks and the elimination of corruption.

The two-day meeting was attended by more than 400 Swapo leaders at central committee, Parliament, regional and local authority and party wing level. Sam Nujoma, the party’s President, declared that the primary objective was achieved during the deliberations.”We have discussed various policy issues which should be addressed in order to ensure that, as Swapo party leaders, we intensify our efforts to strengthen unity of purpose within our ranks and consolidate the achievements that we have made in the acceleration of development programmes in the country,” he said in his closing remarks.Unity within Swapo was topmost in both Nujoma’s speech and that of party Vice President and Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba.In a closed session, Pohamba is reported to have told the delegates that they needed to be united in the desire to move forward; united to bring about social change; and united in the understanding of the party’s constitution.”I believe that the greatest contribution that the Swapo Party leadership, at all levels, can make at this point in time is to ensure continued peace and stability in Namibia, and to avoid, at all costs, the dangers inherent in disunity,” Pohamba told the conference.During the opening on Friday, Swapo Secretary General Ngarikutuke Tjiriange blasted “sceptics” for reporting that the strategic planning meeting was to tackle disunity in the party.”There is nothing sinister about this meeting.We had a series of meetings at regional level and it culminated into the national one,” he said.Still, sources said the main concern at the meeting was the disunity stemming from last year’s extraordinary congress fall-out.At least one prominent leader is believed to have expressed concern at the lack of a defined role for Pohamba within the party.It is believed that the former National Assembly member called for clarity on the roles of Nujoma and Pohamba in the party.Nujoma will continue as Swapo President until 2007 while Pohamba leads the nation.Nujoma said Swapo had a heavy responsibility, not only in the management of its resources, but as a governing party.”For that reason, we should intensify our efforts in management training and to stamp out corruption, misuse of pubic funds and ensure that all our resources are put to the best use and in the interest of the Namibian people,” he said to applause.When he opened the meeting on Friday, Nujoma spoke of an “open and transparent approach in the management of the country” and stressed the issue of unity by stating that a “maximum sense of unity” should prevail in the party.The meeting also discussed strategies on how to implement the party manifesto and execute its objectives.Sam Nujoma, the party’s President, declared that the primary objective was achieved during the deliberations.”We have discussed various policy issues which should be addressed in order to ensure that, as Swapo party leaders, we intensify our efforts to strengthen unity of purpose within our ranks and consolidate the achievements that we have made in the acceleration of development programmes in the country,” he said in his closing remarks.Unity within Swapo was topmost in both Nujoma’s speech and that of party Vice President and Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba.In a closed session, Pohamba is reported to have told the delegates that they needed to be united in the desire to move forward; united to bring about social change; and united in the understanding of the party’s constitution.”I believe that the greatest contribution that the Swapo Party leadership, at all levels, can make at this point in time is to ensure continued peace and stability in Namibia, and to avoid, at all costs, the dangers inherent in disunity,” Pohamba told the conference.During the opening on Friday, Swapo Secretary General Ngarikutuke Tjiriange blasted “sceptics” for reporting that the strategic planning meeting was to tackle disunity in the party.”There is nothing sinister about this meeting.We had a series of meetings at regional level and it culminated into the national one,” he said.Still, sources said the main concern at the meeting was the disunity stemming from last year’s extraordinary congress fall-out.At least one prominent leader is believed to have expressed concern at the lack of a defined role for Pohamba within the party.It is believed that the former National Assembly member called for clarity on the roles of Nujoma and Pohamba in the party.Nujoma will continue as Swapo President until 2007 while Pohamba leads the nation.Nujoma said Swapo had a heavy responsibility, not only in the management of its resources, but as a governing party.”For that reason, we should intensify our efforts in management training and to stamp out corruption, misuse of pubic funds and ensure that all our resources are put to the best use and in the interest of the Namibian people,” he said to applause.When he opened the meeting on Friday, Nujoma spoke of an “open and transparent approach in the management of the country” and stressed the issue of unity by stating that a “maximum sense of unity” should prevail in the party.The meeting also discussed strategies on how to implement the party manifesto and execute its objectives.