SWAPO says they are not moved by the formation of the Namibian Economic Freedom Fighters.
The new party, which will be officially formed soon, is being spearheaded by former Swapo member and northern-based businessman Epafras Mukwiilongo who has styled himself the commander in chief. His deputy is former CoD youth leader Kalimbo Iipumbu.
Mukwiilongo claims the party has an alliance with the South African Economic Freedom Fighters which is led by expelled ANC youth leader Julius Malema.
The new party that has also adopted EFF’s red berets and work suits, according to Mukwiilongo, will be on the radical left, anti-capitalist and anti-imperialist.
Swapo secretary general Nangolo Mbumba told The Namibian yesterday that the ruling party is not threatened by NEFF.
“We are never threatened by anyone. We liberated this country,” Mbumba said, adding that the two NEFF founders do not have political experience and have nothing to offer the electorate.
“Let them try and imitate unreliable politicians. They have nothing to offer,” Mbumba said.
Although Swapo and the ANC enjoy a good relationship, the Swapo party youth wing supports Malema’s rhetoric, even on social networks. They view Malema as a symbol of economic emancipation through nationalisation.
Last year, Swapo stopped Malema’s visit to Namibia where he was expected to make a speech at an event organised by the Swapo Youth League.
Some politicians have welcomed the news of the NEFF, with Swanu president Usutuaije Maamberua saying the new party is welcome if it stands for socialist ideals.
“We welcome socialist parties with open arms. That way we can form a bigger coalition, so that we can take over government. In fact, we will complement and support each other. We are currently overwhelmed by capitalist parties in parliament,” Maamberua said.
CoD president Ben Ulenga, who is outside the country, applauded the news of the new party, saying it is an “indication of dissatisfaction with the immediate political circumstances”.
“Ha ha haa! It’s really good news. I think this is a clear indication of dissatisfaction with the immediate political circumstances of those involved. Mukwiilongo left CoD about six years ago to join Swapo. He was then paraded by Swapo as an example of how people were leaving CoD in favour of Swapo Party.
“I think it would be fair to look at this from the perspective of these guys being Swapo deserters looking for better pastures than those offered by Swapo Party. As for Iipumbu, he left the CoD formally at the same time to avoid a disciplinary situation. He embezzled funds that he handled from the National Youth Council,” Ulenga said. Mukwiilongo said the new party would be registered soon and compete in national elections this year.
The EFF’s campaign message included the nationalisation of mines, banks and the seizure of white-owned land without compensation. The party won 25 seats in South Africa’s parliament in May elections.
AFP reported yesterday that spokesman for the EFF in South Africa declined immediate comment on the new development, saying the party would issue a statement later.
