Shaningwa accused of campaigning for Swapo after hijacking Govt food distribution on Independence Day

Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa has been criticised for hijacking food distribution meant for ordinary citizens on Independence Day.

The government bought 30 000 food packs intended for Namibia’s Independence Day celebrations and president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s inauguration.

This could, however, not be distributed after the event was moved to State House due to heavy rains, limiting the number of people able to attend.

Sources say the government then proposed that the food be distributed to hospitals, old-age homes and vulnerable areas around the capital.

Instead, Shaningwa monitored the distribution of the food among citizens from the Khomas Regional Council’s offices.

WHY WAS SHE THERE?

Popular Democratic Movement spokesperson Maximalliant Katjimune has criticised the presence of Shaningwa as a Swapo representative at an event organised by the state.

“She had absolutely no business being there. Regional councillors were supposed to take charge of the process, so we are left baffled as to what exactly her role was in the distribution of Independence Day food parcels,” he said yesterday.

Katjimune said it indicates that food insecurity has reached such proportions that people are forced to scramble for food parcels.

“It is deeply concerning that people are getting on buses across the city just to fight for food.

We hope the Nandi-Ndaitwah administration will address this challenge decisively.”

BUYING PEOPLE WITH FOOD

Independent Patriots for Change spokesperson Imms Nashinge yesterday described Shaningwa’s actions as politically motivated, alleging that the move was an attempt to buy public support with food.

“This is just another example of Swapo’s culture of buying people with food.

They think feeding people in a single moment is a lifetime solution, but it’s really just about their own interests,” he said.

Nashinge recalled party members who threw food parcels at attendees of a Swapo rally at Walvis Bay last year, and said the ruling party prioritises politics over the well-being of its citizens.

He further accused Swapo of selective distribution, claiming that its initiatives rarely include all Namibians.

“You will never see them making a real effort to reach everyone, regardless of political affiliation. Even cultural groups that perform at national events are often chosen based on political ties rather than national unity,” he said.

Nashinge said state events resemble the ruling party’s events.

“The government has never valued the separation between state affairs and party politics. The state is not Swapo’s headquarters, but that is how they operate,” he said.

Nashinge said Swapo’s handling of food distribution reflects a deeper problem, namely that the party is in ‘panic mode’ and is using food aid to maintain certain groups’ loyalty.

“For a whole ruling party to prioritise food handouts for a single event, while so many people are going to bed hungry every day is deeply unfortunate and sad.

“We need permanent solutions to hunger and poverty, not short-term political gimmicks,” he said.

TAXPAYER FUNDS

Political analyst Henning Melber yesterday said Shaningwa’s involvement in distributing independence celebration food parcels involved the inappropriate use of public resources for political gain.

“It was an ill-advised populist move. It is not for a party representative to hand out food, which was purchased by taxpayers’ money for participants in the public ceremonies at Independence Stadium,” he said.

Melber said the food was publicly funded and should have been distributed through state channels to benefit institutions that serve those in need.

He said the Swapo representatives handing out food parcels created the perception that Swapo funded the donations rather than the state authorities in charge of Independence Day celebrations.

“If a state institution would have donated the food to creches, old-age homes, those whose homes were flooded, and the homeless and those in need, it would not have been Swapo.”

‘NOT WASTING’

Shaningwa has asked why critics who claim the food distribution was a Swapo ploy did not step in earlier to prevent the food from going to waste.

“Those who see this as a Swapo initiative could have acted earlier to avoid the possibility of food going bad.

If anyone has a problem with food being given to Namibians, they are welcome to come and speak to me,” she said yesterday.

Shaningwa said in times of need, positions of power should be set aside.

She was part of the Cabinet committee overseeing the event, the secretary general said.

“I want to make it categorically clear that when the logistics regarding the food and other matters were discussed, I was part and parcel of the Cabinet,” she said.

Shaningwa denied claims that the organising committee decided to redistribute the food prepared for attendees to hospitals, orphanages and old-age homes.

“We never took a decision that the food prepared for people attending the celebrations should be sent to hospitals and old-age homes,” she said.

She said the food could not be distributed as initially planned due to unforeseen weather conditions, leaving those responsible for cooking uncertain about what to do next.

Shaningwa further claimed the Khomas Regional Council’s facilities, where the handouts took place, are government-owned facilities.

She said hospitals follow strict dietary regulations, making it impossible to simply drop off food parcels.

“Hospitals have their own prescribed food provisions. You cannot just dump food there.

What would they have done with the meals already prepared for patients on the evening of Friday, 21 March 2025?” she asked.