Southern Nama Swapo members demand Nikanor’s removal

A SMALL group of Nama-speaking Swapo members at Keetmanshoop took to the streets on Friday, demanding the immediate removal of the Party’s Regional Co-ordinator, Hilma Nikanor.

They accused her of promoting tribalism within the party. “Take Hilma away from the Swapo Party office,” the protesters demanded.”Why is she still a regional co-ordinator? Why does she still make decisions in the name of the Party?” they wanted to know.”You are a tribalist …All around you, you have placed Oshiwambo-speaking people in positions, who have no interest to develop this town,” the petition claimed.Nikanor is also the Regional Councillor for the Keetmanshoop Urban Constituency.The protesters handed over a petition to the Party’s District Co-ordinator of Keetmanshoop Urban District, Festus Shilimela.Shilimela promised he would hand over the petition to Nikanor, who was out of town at the time of the demonstration.The protestors claimed that Nama-speaking Swapo supporters were excluded from the party structures and as a result leadership positions within the party had been dominated by Oshiwambo-speaking supporters for the past three years.The protesters called on the top ranks of the Swapo Party to declare structures established under Nikanor’s leadership null and void, claiming that Nikanor had hand-picked people who were not elected in structures and in positions.In addition, the protesters claimed that all letters written to Nikanor had been ignored.They complained that Nikanor had allegedly said Nama-speaking people were not involved in the liberation struggle.”You are denying the sacrifices of our people.Our people died for the freedom of this country.Many of our people died in the dungeons, yet we continue to support the Swapo Party until today and you tell us where were we during the struggle,” the petition reads.The Swapo Party office has been given two weeks to respond to the protesters’ demands.Attempts to get comment from Nikanor proved futile.”Take Hilma away from the Swapo Party office,” the protesters demanded.”Why is she still a regional co-ordinator? Why does she still make decisions in the name of the Party?” they wanted to know.”You are a tribalist …All around you, you have placed Oshiwambo-speaking people in positions, who have no interest to develop this town,” the petition claimed.Nikanor is also the Regional Councillor for the Keetmanshoop Urban Constituency.The protesters handed over a petition to the Party’s District Co-ordinator of Keetmanshoop Urban District, Festus Shilimela.Shilimela promised he would hand over the petition to Nikanor, who was out of town at the time of the demonstration.The protestors claimed that Nama-speaking Swapo supporters were excluded from the party structures and as a result leadership positions within the party had been dominated by Oshiwambo-speaking supporters for the past three years.The protesters called on the top ranks of the Swapo Party to declare structures established under Nikanor’s leadership null and void, claiming that Nikanor had hand-picked people who were not elected in structures and in positions.In addition, the protesters claimed that all letters written to Nikanor had been ignored.They complained that Nikanor had allegedly said Nama-speaking people were not involved in the liberation struggle.”You are denying the sacrifices of our people.Our people died for the freedom of this country.Many of our people died in the dungeons, yet we continue to support the Swapo Party until today and you tell us where were we during the struggle,” the petition reads.The Swapo Party office has been given two weeks to respond to the protesters’ demands.Attempts to get comment from Nikanor proved futile.