Swapo’s list of 96 members for the next parliament is decided on this weekend at the party’s electoral college with a long list of stalwarts not standing for nomination.
Although the expansion in parliament means that more people will have a place on the list, speculation was rife recently that a handful of party veterans are planning not to stand in the ‘pot’, which also means they will not be available for parliament next year.
It has now been confirmed that defence minister Nahas Angula, former deputy prime minister Libertina Amathila, current deputy prime minister Marco Hausiku, Oshana governor Clemens Kashuupulwa, Omusati Swapo Regional Coordinator Eric Endjala, Swapo secretary for information Helmuth Angula, unionist Peter Nevonga, outspoken backbencher Kazenambo Kazenambo, Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) secretary Elijah Ngurare and the party’s regional coordinator for Oshikoto Armas Amukwiyu.
Party insiders speculated that those who are not retiring will look after the party’s business in the regions and keep themselves busy with their personal business interests.
Under the rules the party president are allowed to nominate 10 members to serve in parliament.
Topping that list is National Planning Commission (NPC) director-general Tom Alweendo and secretary to Cabinet Frans Kapofi.
Others include pre-independence youth activist Maureen Hinda, Deputy Director of Education in Kunene Bernadette Jagger, Swapo head of administration Hamunyera Hambiyuka, former Tsumeb mayor Engel Nawatiseb, former Hardap chief regional officer James Sankwasa, deputy PS in the ministry of agriculture Anna Shiwedha and relative unknowns, Anna Hipondoka and Senior Special Assistant in Office of the President Christine //Hoebes.
The Namibian recently reported that Speaker of the Nation Assembly, Theo-Ben Gurirab indicated that he will not stand to be elected for the next parliament. It appears that he has since made a U-turn and has made himself available for the ‘pot’.
There are 214 delegates and candidates attending the college and representing the party’s wings, affiliates, parliamentarians and members of the central committee.
The electoral college started on Friday and will end on Sunday in Windhoek.
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