HH to launch the RDP

FORMER Cabinet Minister Hidipo Hamutenya is set to launch the new Rally for Democracy and Progress party in Windhoek tomorrow.

The RDP announced yesterday that Hamutenya will be the main speaker at the launching rally and will be introduced by Jesaya Nyamu, who was kicked out of Swapo after notes about a possible split in the party were found in his office. Hamutenya resigned from the ruling party and Parliament last week but was cagey about his links to the new party.Although it was obvious that he had some connection with the new party, because they called the media briefing where he announced his resignation, Hamutenya said that he had not made up his mind about what he wanted to do.After accusing Swapo of having lost its vision, the RDP interim leadership is expected to spell out their vision for the new party at the rally.Also expected at the rally will be the likes of former Deputy Minister Michaela Huebschle, former National Council Chairman Kandy Nehova, Ambassador Shapua Kaukungwa, former head of Kalahari Holdings Nghiningiluandubo Kashume, Festus Naholo, former NUNW Secretary General Peter Naholo and former CEO of Northern Electricity Distribution company (Nored) Martin Heita, who have all indicated that they are behind Hamutenya.Hamutenya was fired as Foreign Affairs Minister in 2004, when he decided to contest for the country’s presidency, against then President Sam Nujoma’s chosen candidate Hifikepunye Pohamba, who is the current President, and Prime Minister Nahas Angula.Many of those who supported his campaign have since been victimised and lost their jobs in Government and parastatals.Meanwhile, The Namibian learnt last night that the NBC had pulled out of an undertaking to broadcast the RDP launch live.RDP said they had a quotation from the NBC television for a four hour live broadcast of the rally but it was cancelled ‘because it is not in the public interest’.According to the new party, a manager dealing with the live outside broadcast had approved the deal but Director General Bob Kandetu pulled the plug citing the claim that the broadcast would not serve the public interest well.The Namibian was unable to confirm the incident with Kandetu by the time of going to press.Hamutenya resigned from the ruling party and Parliament last week but was cagey about his links to the new party.Although it was obvious that he had some connection with the new party, because they called the media briefing where he announced his resignation, Hamutenya said that he had not made up his mind about what he wanted to do.After accusing Swapo of having lost its vision, the RDP interim leadership is expected to spell out their vision for the new party at the rally.Also expected at the rally will be the likes of former Deputy Minister Michaela Huebschle, former National Council Chairman Kandy Nehova, Ambassador Shapua Kaukungwa, former head of Kalahari Holdings Nghiningiluandubo Kashume, Festus Naholo, former NUNW Secretary General Peter Naholo and former CEO of Northern Electricity Distribution company (Nored) Martin Heita, who have all indicated that they are behind Hamutenya. Hamutenya was fired as Foreign Affairs Minister in 2004, when he decided to contest for the country’s presidency, against then President Sam Nujoma’s chosen candidate Hifikepunye Pohamba, who is the current President, and Prime Minister Nahas Angula.Many of those who supported his campaign have since been victimised and lost their jobs in Government and parastatals.Meanwhile, The Namibian learnt last night that the NBC had pulled out of an undertaking to broadcast the RDP launch live.RDP said they had a quotation from the NBC television for a four hour live broadcast of the rally but it was cancelled ‘because it is not in the public interest’.According to the new party, a manager dealing with the live outside broadcast had approved the deal but Director General Bob Kandetu pulled the plug citing the claim that the broadcast would not serve the public interest well.The Namibian was unable to confirm the incident with Kandetu by the time of going to press.