What Affects Swapo, Affects Us All

JUST the other day, my friends and I were discussing politics in Namibia.

It is hard to do so without mentioning Swapo or the internal squabbles in it. At least that was and is our perception.A friend hinted that what is likely to happen with the Congress of Swapo is that tate Nujoma shall contest the post or his supporters will do it for him.Another friend who is a white Namibian argued that maybe it is a good thing for peace and order in the country if tate Nujoma remained the president of the Party in Government.I decided to put my thoughts on paper so that this debate should not only be limited to my friends and me, as it has relevance in the entire Namibia.I do not want to claim knowing much about the internal workings of Swapo.My perception is that it is divided into several camps represented by some personalities.It seems to me that there is a camp for Nujoma, a camp for Pohamba, a camp for Hamutenya and a camp for Geingob.The camp for Nujoma appears to be well organised and represented in the NUNW, Women’s League and Youth League.The other camps are also around but not so connected.It is the camp of Nujoma that made it possible, for example, for tate Pohamba to become president instead of Hamutenya or Angula who were also contesting the position.Coming to my white friend who was saying that allowing tate Nujoma to remain president of party in government is good for peace and order.I think there is merit in that.We could not agree on the perception of democracy in Swapo.It seems even those that are educated, including Geingob, are not in a position to speak their minds.The Women’s League is bogged down by visions of Jesus by its Secretary General.The Youth League, which should offer a lot of hope, has been a disappointment of late with its utterances on Zimbabwe.Many have come to believe that Ngurare is no different from Kapia, which is a pity because an opportunity for reform is lost.I think it is true that whatever happens in Swapo has effect on all of us in Namibia.It is because of this that I want to make the following comments.It may be true that Nujoma is good for another term as President of Swapo but perhaps it is time for change.The current leadership of NUNW and Women’s League is below standard.The Youth League requires a better person than the likes of Ngurare and Kapia as they are demagogues which our country cannot afford to have.Worried Via e-mail Note: Name and address provided – EdAt least that was and is our perception.A friend hinted that what is likely to happen with the Congress of Swapo is that tate Nujoma shall contest the post or his supporters will do it for him.Another friend who is a white Namibian argued that maybe it is a good thing for peace and order in the country if tate Nujoma remained the president of the Party in Government.I decided to put my thoughts on paper so that this debate should not only be limited to my friends and me, as it has relevance in the entire Namibia.I do not want to claim knowing much about the internal workings of Swapo.My perception is that it is divided into several camps represented by some personalities.It seems to me that there is a camp for Nujoma, a camp for Pohamba, a camp for Hamutenya and a camp for Geingob.The camp for Nujoma appears to be well organised and represented in the NUNW, Women’s League and Youth League.The other camps are also around but not so connected.It is the camp of Nujoma that made it possible, for example, for tate Pohamba to become president instead of Hamutenya or Angula who were also contesting the position.Coming to my white friend who was saying that allowing tate Nujoma to remain president of party in government is good for peace and order.I think there is merit in that.We could not agree on the perception of democracy in Swapo.It seems even those that are educated, including Geingob, are not in a position to speak their minds.The Women’s League is bogged down by visions of Jesus by its Secretary General.The Youth League, which should offer a lot of hope, has been a disappointment of late with its utterances on Zimbabwe.Many have come to believe that Ngurare is no different from Kapia, which is a pity because an opportunity for reform is lost.I think it is true that whatever happens in Swapo has effect on all of us in Namibia.It is because of this that I want to make the following comments.It may be true that Nujoma is good for another term as President of Swapo but perhaps it is time for change.The current leadership of NUNW and Women’s League is below standard.The Youth League requires a better person than the likes of Ngurare and Kapia as they are demagogues which our country cannot afford to have. Worried Via e-mail Note: Name and address provided – Ed