Hidipo back with a bang

FIGHTING words, a large crowd of ululating supporters and a packed public gallery marked political veteran Hidipo Hamutenya’s return to the National Assembly yesterday.

Speaking outside parliament after he was sworn in, Hamutenya, who was axed as Namibia’s Foreign Minister last year, did not mince his words. He is back.He remains a loyal member of Swapo, and is vehemently opposed to “autocracy” and the “politics of manipulation”.In short, he is back to advance democracy, Hamutenya said.Hamutenya also gave short shrift to those he believes were out to send him into the political wilderness.He said he had fallen prey to a deliberate plot to remove him not only from Parliament but from the party.”A virulent character assassination [campaign] and witch-hunt” had been waged against him after he was axed last year, he added.DEMOCRACY WHEELS TURNING Hamutenya was unceremoniously dropped from the upper ranks of the party after vying for the State Presidency at last year’s Swapo Congress.”The fact that I am back in Parliament today is a divine arrangement by the Almighty God that villains had to make room for their victims to enter the House,” Hamutenya told supporters who waited to congratulate him after he was sworn in as a backbencher in place of Paulus Kapia.Swapo removed Kapia from the House last month because of his involvement in an ill-fated N$30 million investment involving Social Security Commission funds.”Indeed my return to this House is a clear indication that despite an autocratic tendency that has been rearing its ugly head in this country, the wheels of democracy are turning in the land of the brave,” Hamutenya said.A spokesperson for his supporters, Bob Kandetu, said given the rumours that had been circulating in recent months, it was apt that Hamutenya first publicly addressed them before making statements in Parliament.Hamutenya referred to a list of 35 names circulated at the Swapo Congress, on which he featured in top spot, saying the list was “designed” to oust him and his supporters.”Those of us on the list were called imperialist agents.My name was at the top of that list.I was, in other words, listed as the number one agent of imperialists.It’s heartening to see you comrades and friends and that you haven’t fallen prey to the lies spread around this country,” said Hamutenya.”I’m a tried, tested and steadfast member of Swapo.”Hamutenya said he knew many of his supporters had lost their jobs and are still jobless in the aftermath of last year’s Swapo Congress.He promised them that he would contribute to parliamentary affairs to strengthen democracy and the growth of the economy.”The winds of change are blowing,” said one supporter who waited to congratulate Hamutenya outside the Tintenpalast building.Uncharacteristic for an ordinary sitting of the National Assembly, the public gallery was full by 14h30 yesterday, and there was an excited buzz as people waited for Deputy Speaker Doreen Sioka to announce Hamutenya’s return to the House.He was accompanied into the Chamber by Swapo Whip Ben Amadhila and took his oath before Chief Justice Peter Shivute.With Sioka uttering the words: “I declare Mr Hidipo Hamutenya a duly elected member of this assembly” the gallery rose spontaneously, clapping, ululating and showing the trademark ‘mannetjie’ fist of the Swapo party.The open display of satisfaction and celebration only died down after Hamutenya had taken his seat on the periphery of the chamber, previously occupied by Loide Kasingo, who now sits further back in the chamber.With Hamutenya supporters then leaving the gallery to await his address, only a handful of people were left seated to hear the ordinary business of the day.Last May, Hamutenya for the first time became a backbencher of the National Assembly, having held a ministerial designation since Independence.He was not listed among the top 55 Swapo members to return to the House after last year’s election.He was ranked at 57.He is back.He remains a loyal member of Swapo, and is vehemently opposed to “autocracy” and the “politics of manipulation”.In short, he is back to advance democracy, Hamutenya said.Hamutenya also gave short shrift to those he believes were out to send him into the political wilderness.He said he had fallen prey to a deliberate plot to remove him not only from Parliament but from the party.”A virulent character assassination [campaign] and witch-hunt” had been waged against him after he was axed last year, he added.DEMOCRACY WHEELS TURNING Hamutenya was unceremoniously dropped from the upper ranks of the party after vying for the State Presidency at last year’s Swapo Congress.”The fact that I am back in Parliament today is a divine arrangement by the Almighty God that villains had to make room for their victims to enter the House,” Hamutenya told supporters who waited to congratulate him after he was sworn in as a backbencher in place of Paulus Kapia.Swapo removed Kapia from the House last month because of his involvement in an ill-fated N$30 million investment involving Social Security Commission funds.”Indeed my return to this House is a clear indication that despite an autocratic tendency that has been rearing its ugly head in this country, the wheels of democracy are turning in the land of the brave,” Hamutenya said.A spokesperson for his supporters, Bob Kandetu, said given the rumours that had been circulating in recent months, it was apt that Hamutenya first publicly addressed them before making statements in Parliament.Hamutenya referred to a list of 35 names circulated at the Swapo Congress, on which he featured in top spot, saying the list was “designed” to oust him and his supporters.”Those of us on the list were called imperialist agents.My name was at the top of that list.I was, in other words, listed as the number one agent of imperialists.It’s heartening to see you comrades and friends and that you haven’t fallen prey to the lies spread around this country,” said Hamutenya.”I’m a tried, tested and steadfast member of Swapo.”Hamutenya said he knew many of his supporters had lost their jobs and are still jobless in the aftermath of last year’s Swapo Congress.He promised them that he would contribute to parliamentary affairs to strengthen democracy and the growth of the economy.”The winds of change are blowing,” said one supporter who waited to congratulate Hamutenya outside the Tintenpalast building.Uncharacteristic for an ordinary sitting of the National Assembly, the public gallery was full by 14h30 yesterday, and there was an excited buzz as people waited for Deputy Speaker Doreen Sioka to announce Hamutenya’s return to the House.He was accompanied into the Chamber by Swapo Whip Ben Amadhila and took his oath before Chief Justice Peter Shivute.With Sioka uttering the words: “I declare Mr Hidipo Hamutenya a duly elected member of this assembly” the gallery rose spontaneously, clapping, ululating and showing the trademark ‘mannetjie’ fist of the Swapo party.The open display of satisfaction and celebration only died down after Hamutenya had taken his seat on the periphery of the chamber, previously occupied by Loide Kasingo, who now sits further back in the chamber.With Hamutenya supporters then leaving the gallery to await his address, only a handful of people were left seated to hear the ordinary business of the day.Last May, Hamutenya for the first time became a backbencher of the National Assembly, having held a ministerial designation since Independence.He was not listed among the top 55 Swapo members to return to the House after last year’s election.He was ranked at 57.