‘It’s Western propaganda’

…Swapo denies claims of Zanu-PF influencing election

Swapo Party Youth League secretary Ephraim Nekongo says insinuations that Zanu PF have been influencing elections in the southern African region are based on Western propaganda.

Swapo allegedly received a N$2.5 million donation from Zanu PF at an earlier fund raising engagement.

This comes after the African National Congress’s (ANC) Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma was also seen at a Swapo rally over the weekend.

“Today, we joined the leadership of Swapo at their ‘Siyanqoba’ rally in the Ohangwena region, in Namibia.

“The party outlined its manifesto and presented their presidential candidate for the 27 November elections, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah,” Dlamini-Zuma said in a social media post.

Nekongo says there is nothing wrong with former liberation struggle movements attending each other’s rallies.

“I was in South Africa during their elections to attend the ANC Siyanqoba rally to oversee how their election was going on behalf of Swapo and other comrades,” he says.

Nekongo denied allegations of Zanu PF or the ANC trying to influence the Namibian elections, adding that it is propaganda from countries against liberation struggles.

“If Swapo invites our former liberation movement just like when they have their elections, we go and see how they operate, or can we say that Swapo was trying to influence South Africa’s elections too?” he asks.

Political commentator Marius Kudumo says the presence of ANC and Zanu PF is not enough to sway voters to vote differently, with the majority of voters being under the age of 35 and who did not participate in the liberation struggle.

“Many of these people were not involved in the liberation struggle.

That story is history for them. It doesn’t have the same symbolic meaning to those facing unemployment and poor service delivery.”

Kudumo adds that there is nothing wrong with former liberation movements showing solidarity to each other.

“Whether it’s Zanu PF, the People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola or ANC members at a rally, they are showing solidarity to a former liberation struggle ally,” he says.

However, political analyst Ben Mulongeni says while solidarity between parties with a shared past is acceptable and boosts morale, visible foreign support during internal democratic processes can be seen as interference.

He adds that a clear line should be drawn between showing solidarity and direct external involvement.

“Such involvement may be perceived as interference, but how far should they do that? Where do we stop?” he questions.

He says allegations and claims of external support and influence from China and Western countries often lead to scepticism and criticism.

“If friendships or alliances with foreign entities are to be accepted, they should be openly acknowledged, with no stigma attached, to avoid undermining trust in democratic processes,” he says.