THE deputy secretary of the Swapo Party Elders Council (SPEC), Mukwaita Shanyengana, was elected secretary of the same council at the SPEC extra-ordinary congress held in Swakopmund last weekend.
Shanyengana was the sole candidate for the position.
The three-day congress, which started at Nonidas on Friday, was aimed at electing the new SPEC secretary to fill the position of the late Frederick Mwala Matongo, who passed away in November 2013.
Ensuring the 50/50 gender representation in the party’s management structures, the Swapo elders elected Mary Masule as the SPEC’s new deputy secretary.
Masule is a member of the SPEC’s executive committee and the regional treasurer in Zambezi.
She competed against Loide Shinavene and defeated her with 140 votes to 78.
A total of 250 ballots were counted.
A total of 218 votes were cast, one was spoiled and 31 were extra ballots papers.
Officiating at the closing ceremony on Sunday, Prime Minister and Swapo-Party vice president Hage Geingob thanked the newly elected leaders, saying the party has trust in them.
Geingob thanked the members of the elders’ council and the party as a whole for being united and keeping up the spirit of comradeship.
“We must remain united like before. I am happy that we are still able to elect each other into positions without any disputes. You, as the elders, are expected to provide wisdom and leadership to this nation. You are experts, therefore give guidance to those who were not part of the liberation struggle,” he stated.
Geingob further said that the elders must help to address social problems such as passion killings, which threaten the peace and stability of the country.
“You were the fighters for political freedom, now let’s fight for the second phase, which is the struggle for economic emancipation,” the Premier said.
The election committee, chaired by John Walenga and his deputy Elijah Ngurare, comprised of nine members.
There were six observers overlooking the election and police officers ensuring security.
Announcing the names of the elected leaders, Walenga noted that the election was conducted in a free and fair manner; and everyone is happy with the results.
The congress was officially opened by President Hifikepunye Pohamba and attended by SPEC members and party supporters from all 14 regions.
– Nampa
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