More than 15 Swapo members of parliament, including eight ministers, are set to lose their jobs as legislators after performing poorly at the party’s electoral college over the weekend.
Among those facing the political chopping block are defence minister Frans Kapofi, urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni, labour minister Utoni Nujoma and health minister Kalumbi Shangula.
Hot list:
Ministers, deputies and members of parliament who are jobless:
• Minister in the presidency Christine //Hoebes
• Defence, Frans Kapofi
• Justice, Yvonne Dausab
• Urban and rural development, Erastus Uutoni
• Swapo chief whip Hambyuka Hamunyera
• Swapo information secretary Hilma Nicanor
• Sports, youth and national service, Agnes Tjongarero
• Swapo backbencher Jerry Ekandjo
• Labour deputy minister Hafeni Ndeumula
• Labour, Utoni Nujoma
• Swapo backbencher Tjekero Tweya
• Education, Anna Nghipondoka
• Deputy National Assembly speaker Loide Kasingo
• Health, Kalumbi Shangula
• National Planning Director general, Obeth Kandjoze
Others big losers include National Planning Commission (NPC) director general Obeth Kandjoze, works and transport deputy minister Veikko Nekundi, education minister Anna Nghipondoka and minister in the presidency Christine //Hoebes.
Kapofi told The Namibian last night that he was not joining the unemployed but joining fellow pensioners.
“The people have decided. That produces what it procured. People have the right to vote for whoever they want. They at least put me at 28 on the men’s list.”
Kapofi, who briefly challenged for the Swapo presidency at the 2022 congress, was elected in 65th position.
“I never wanted to upset the party system. It’s not a person. Those comrades who wanted me to stand that time thought I had something to offer. But I can’t do it at all cost. To cause disunity,” said Kapofi.
“We still have a couple of months to go. The party must unite. It’s not about me. Now what’s important is for the party and its presidential candidate to win decisively.”
Kapofi, however, expressed his availability as a leader.
“The verdict is what it is and must be respected. I am very content. The comrades who voted for me, I am grateful. Those who did not vote for me, I don’t have ill feelings towards them. I worked for three presidents.”
Former Cabinet minister Jerry Ekandjo, who previously challenged for the Swapo leadership, was also on the losing end of yesterday’s pot result.
Ekandjo has been critical of Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and the Swapo leadership for not hosting an extraordinary congress after the death of former president Hage Geingob in February.
Ekandjo further challenged both Geingob and president Nangolo Mbumba to pass an anti-gay bill.
He has been a member of the National Assembly since 1990 and is a party veteran. However, when Nandi-Ndaitwah recognised the presence of Swapo leaders in attendance at the electoral college, Ekandjo was not acknowledged.
Swapo secretary for information Hilma Nicanor said as a candidate who joined the party in 1975, she has an understanding of such political processes.
“It was always a pleasure for me to have been elected previously and to serve for the periods that I have served,” Nicanor said.
She described the outcome of the party election as normal.
“Like our vice president said, there’s always a next time. I just want to congratulate and embrace those who made it this time around to continue taking the country further,” Nicanor added.
Kandjoze yesterday said he offered himself but the electorate had something else in mind.
“I am a Namibian with a Swapo party membership and this is why I partook in this thing. This is why I offered myself. If the electorate says ‘okay but’ [then] I will remain a Namibian [and] that’s life,” he said.
Kandjoze further said he does not know what lies ahead for him after 31 March next year.
“I will serve my time out and see what happens. For now it is commitment and to make sure the party wins,” Kandjoze added.
Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah says he is concerned about matters concerning capacity.
“Nandi-Ndaitwah’s challenge will be to select a few individuals with the necessary skills, expertise and understanding of Namibia’s socio-economic challenges,” he said.
Kamwanyah noted that the team is expected to contribute effectively to parliamentary debates and develop impactful laws to improve the lives of Namibians.
Nandi-Ndaitwah selected the following people as part of her list of 10 candidates to the party list: Prime minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, Swapo youth league secretary Ephraim Nekongo, Indileni Daniel, Alpheus !Naruseb, Ruth Masake, Elijah Ngurare, Linda Mbwale, Dino Ballotti, Feni Kutjavi and Erastus Haitengela.
However, sources say Nandi-Ndaitwah removed Kuugongelwa-Amadhila from contesting in the pot to avoid having the premier compete with others as it could cause division.
Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for
only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!
