NUNW uncommitted on presidential race

THE votes of the National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW) at the Swapo extraordinary congress are still up for grabs.

Union insiders confirmed yesterday that the affiliates had not decided on who to support as the Swapo Party’s presidential candidate this weekend. Earlier, NUNW President Risto Kapenda and acting Secretary General Peter Naholo had said they would support former Foreign Affairs Minister Hamutenya in his race against Swapo Vice President Hifikepunye Pohamba and Higher Education Minister Nahas Angula.However, the affiliates called a media briefing where they said that none of the candidates had approached them and thus no meeting was called to decide on who to back.The affiliate unions were supposed to meet two weeks ago to decide on who to vote for but the meeting was postponed indefinitely.Sources said the unions decided to leave everything in the hands of their 15 representatives at the congress.Earlier, the Namibia Public Workers Union’s Petrus Nevonga said none of the candidates had lobbied the affiliates and it was naive for them to decide on any one candidate since they were all tested leaders.Although the affiliates said they had not decided on a candidate, they vowed to “elect a visionary and dedicated candidate that will build on the foundation laid down by His Excellency President Sam Nujoma”.The unions openly backed former Swapo Vice President and Nujoma’s choice, Hendrik Witbooi, against former Prime Minister Hage Geingob.Two weeks ago, they claimed that had been wrong because it had not been done procedurally.Earlier, NUNW President Risto Kapenda and acting Secretary General Peter Naholo had said they would support former Foreign Affairs Minister Hamutenya in his race against Swapo Vice President Hifikepunye Pohamba and Higher Education Minister Nahas Angula.However, the affiliates called a media briefing where they said that none of the candidates had approached them and thus no meeting was called to decide on who to back.The affiliate unions were supposed to meet two weeks ago to decide on who to vote for but the meeting was postponed indefinitely.Sources said the unions decided to leave everything in the hands of their 15 representatives at the congress.Earlier, the Namibia Public Workers Union’s Petrus Nevonga said none of the candidates had lobbied the affiliates and it was naive for them to decide on any one candidate since they were all tested leaders.Although the affiliates said they had not decided on a candidate, they vowed to “elect a visionary and dedicated candidate that will build on the foundation laid down by His Excellency President Sam Nujoma”.The unions openly backed former Swapo Vice President and Nujoma’s choice, Hendrik Witbooi, against former Prime Minister Hage Geingob.Two weeks ago, they claimed that had been wrong because it had not been done procedurally.