Swapo meets to discuss divisions, manifesto

SWAPO is organising a high-level two-day strategic workshop next month which, insiders claim, is geared towards solving disunity within the ruling party.

Swapo Secretary for Information Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah confirmed yesterday that the party will hold the workshop from August 5 to 7 and that it will be attended by the party’s Members of Parliament, regional councillors, municipal councillors, regional co-ordinators, regional co-ordinators of wings and district co-ordinators. Nandi-Ndaitwah said the workshop was aimed at discussing how best to implement the Swapo Party Manifesto of 2004.She said the electorate had voted for Swapo based on its election manifesto and it was only proper to involve all party leaders in a workshop where they will get clear guidelines on the expectations of the people.However, Swapo insiders and other sources said yesterday that the meeting was, in fact, aimed at bringing together all party machinery to extinguish the fire of division among the members.At its first Cabinet meeting under President Hifikepunye Pohamba as chairman, Cabinet adopted the Swapo manifesto as official Government policy and civil servants have since been urged to read and implement it.The South West Africa National Union (Swanu) has claimed that it is unconstitutional for the ruling party to force the implementation of its manifesto on civil servants.Swanu President Rihupisa Kandando said Swapo would have to change certain sections of the Constitution before it could force civil servants to implement the party’s election manifesto.Ndaitwah, who doubles as Minister of Information and Broadcasting, said it was fair for the manifesto to be presented to top civil servants because it contained the party’s promises to the voters.”To say that it is wrong, you are not being fair to the Namibian people.We will not withdraw the document,” she said.Swanu said Swapo would have to repeal or amend the Principles of State Policy in the Constitution to make it more compatible and consistent with their manifesto.”Either this constitutional provision must be amended or repealed, or Swapo must introduce an Act of Parliament to be called ‘Implementation of Swapo 2004 Elections Manifesto Act’.That is the only right way to do it,” said Kandando.Nandi-Ndaitwah said the workshop was aimed at discussing how best to implement the Swapo Party Manifesto of 2004.She said the electorate had voted for Swapo based on its election manifesto and it was only proper to involve all party leaders in a workshop where they will get clear guidelines on the expectations of the people.However, Swapo insiders and other sources said yesterday that the meeting was, in fact, aimed at bringing together all party machinery to extinguish the fire of division among the members.At its first Cabinet meeting under President Hifikepunye Pohamba as chairman, Cabinet adopted the Swapo manifesto as official Government policy and civil servants have since been urged to read and implement it.The South West Africa National Union (Swanu) has claimed that it is unconstitutional for the ruling party to force the implementation of its manifesto on civil servants.Swanu President Rihupisa Kandando said Swapo would have to change certain sections of the Constitution before it could force civil servants to implement the party’s election manifesto.Ndaitwah, who doubles as Minister of Information and Broadcasting, said it was fair for the manifesto to be presented to top civil servants because it contained the party’s promises to the voters.”To say that it is wrong, you are not being fair to the Namibian people.We will not withdraw the document,” she said.Swanu said Swapo would have to repeal or amend the Principles of State Policy in the Constitution to make it more compatible and consistent with their manifesto.”Either this constitutional provision must be amended or repealed, or Swapo must introduce an Act of Parliament to be called ‘Implementation of Swapo 2004 Elections Manifesto Act’.That is the only right way to do it,” said Kandando.