Minister of works and transport Veikko Nekundi says he has no ambitions to run for the Swapo secretary general position at the next party elective congress slated for next year.
Nekundi made this comment in a Monday interview with The Namibian, addressing various issues, including his political journey to date.
“I am not going to stand for the position of secretary general. I’m not going to stand for the top four,” he said.
Nekundi, alongside urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa, has been among the most publicly visible ministers in the new administration.
In January, speculation grew that the former Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) deputy secretary might contest the party’s secretary general position.
Also mentioned as potential contenders for Swapo’s top four positions are prime minister Elijah Ngurare and SPYL leader Ephraim Nekongo.
The top four positions are Swapo president, vice president, secretary general and deputy secretary general.
Nekundi said he will not speculate on whether Ngurare would contest but emphasised the openness of their relationship.
“We speak on a daily basis. He has not told me that he is interested. So me and him are open to each other. We speak about many things: private matters, the government, Swapo, everything,” the minister said.
He described claims of a split between him and Ngurare as an attempt to create division within Swapo ahead of its 2027 leadership contest.
“We even laugh about our historical youth league days and talk about it a lot. So he has not come to me. If he is ready, he will engage with me. The two of us are open to each other. I do not want to be a carrier of speculation,” Nekundi said.
He dismissed circulating rumours about potential candidates. “Rumours are rumours. I am not one of those who like to authenticate and carry rumours,” he said.
Meanwhile, SPYL leader Nekongo, a protégé of Nekundi, says it is too early to say whether he will vie for one of the party’s top four positions.
He stresses that his immediate priority, alongside other party members, is to focus on delivering on their mandate.
Nekongo adds that while there is a possibility of him seeking re-election as secretary of the party’s youth league, “those conversations have not yet begun”.
“Maybe I’m going to run as the secretary of the youth league. I don’t know.”
The Swapo youth league will hold its congress next year, ahead of the party’s congress to elect new leadership. Meanwhile, current Swapo deputy secretary general Uahekua Herunga has weighed in on the race, stating that he has not considered it yet.
“I did not consider it so far. I will just inform the public if I want to stand,” he says.
Herunga was removed as Swapo chief whip earlier this month. He was replaced by Alpheus !Naruseb.
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