Swapo elects Karas leadership

FISHERIES Minister Abraham Iyambo has implored Karas Swapo Party members to stay united for the sake of peace and stability in the country.

“Division within Swapo Party will lead to anarchy and this will destroy the country,” he warned. “If this happens, you and I will be forced to go back to the bush to fight,” he added.Addressing party members during the party’s Karas regional conference at Keetmanshoop on Sunday, Iyambo denied reports of division among the Swapo ranks.”Yes, individuals have professional and intellectual disagreements within the party but this does not mean division,” he said.The conference, which eventually took place after being derailed on several occasions because of infighting, elected a new regional executive leadership.Berseba Village Council Chairman Willem Isaaks won the tight race for the position of regional co-ordinator after he garnered 25 votes.His opponent, Matheus Mumbala, received 21 votes.Isaaks replaces Hilma Nikanor, who is also the Regional Councillor for the Keetmanshoop Constituency.Both Mumbala and Nikanor made into the regional executive.Mumbala was elected as regional treasurer while Nikanor will be the information and mobilisation officer.In his acceptance speech, Isaaks urged party members to be vigilant against “enemies trying to divide the Swapo Party”.During the conference, some senior Karas Swapo members were accused of promoting tribalism and ethnic division within the party.A resolution was adopted to bring to book those guilty of such practices.The conference also resolved to appeal to Government speed up black economic empowerment, as well as to appeal to the Fisheries Minister to urge Luederitz-based fishing companies to increase the fish supply to rural areas.”If this happens, you and I will be forced to go back to the bush to fight,” he added.Addressing party members during the party’s Karas regional conference at Keetmanshoop on Sunday, Iyambo denied reports of division among the Swapo ranks.”Yes, individuals have professional and intellectual disagreements within the party but this does not mean division,” he said.The conference, which eventually took place after being derailed on several occasions because of infighting, elected a new regional executive leadership.Berseba Village Council Chairman Willem Isaaks won the tight race for the position of regional co-ordinator after he garnered 25 votes.His opponent, Matheus Mumbala, received 21 votes.Isaaks replaces Hilma Nikanor, who is also the Regional Councillor for the Keetmanshoop Constituency.Both Mumbala and Nikanor made into the regional executive.Mumbala was elected as regional treasurer while Nikanor will be the information and mobilisation officer.In his acceptance speech, Isaaks urged party members to be vigilant against “enemies trying to divide the Swapo Party”.During the conference, some senior Karas Swapo members were accused of promoting tribalism and ethnic division within the party.A resolution was adopted to bring to book those guilty of such practices.The conference also resolved to appeal to Government speed up black economic empowerment, as well as to appeal to the Fisheries Minister to urge Luederitz-based fishing companies to increase the fish supply to rural areas.