Green Hydrogen programme, Namcor defend Swapo rally appearance

The Namibia Green Hydrogen programme and the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor) have defended their participation at a recent Swapo mini rally, saying they were simply informing the public about their respective projects.

Critics have raised concerns about potential political bias and the misuse of public resources following the appearance of representatives from these entities at a Swapo Party rally. The event, titled “Green Hydrogen: Where Does the Ordinary Namibian Youth Fit In?”, featured green hydrogen commissioner James Mnyupe and Namcor executive Victoria Sibeya in a panel discussion.

At a press conference on Monday, the Green Hydrogen Programme stated that their participation aimed to raise public awareness about green hydrogen and its benefits for Namibia. They emphasised their commitment to impartiality and inclusivity in outreach efforts.

“The invitation to participate at this rally presented a valuable opportunity to address a broad audience eager to understand the role of green industrialisation in Namibia’s future—an objective reflected in Swapo’s development manifesto. However, our attendance aligns with a larger strategy to engage Namibians wherever there is interest in our green hydrogen agenda,” the statement read.

Namcor also defended its involvement, stating it was invited by the regional council to provide updates on the oil and gas sector, focusing on youth engagement.

“This is not new, as Namcor has accepted similar engagements and has briefed communities, regional councils, and political leaders from various political affiliations on developments in the oil and gas sector,” the statement read.

The company acknowledged that certain remarks made during the panel discussion may have caused concern, but assured the public of its commitment to neutrality and transparency.

“We wish to clarify that while some language may have been conversational, it was not intended to signal any political bias or alignment on Namcor’s part,” the statement added.

While both organisations have attempted to justify their actions, the incident has sparked debate over the appropriate role of public officials in political events. Critics from the Popular Democratic Movement and the Independent Patriots for Change argue that such appearances can erode public trust and undermine the perceived neutrality of state institutions.