‘Swapo donors want to protect democracy’

Swapo presidential candidate Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says companies and individuals who have donated money to Swapo did so because they want to protect the “true democracy” the party offers.

She said this after the announcement of Swapo’s electoral college results in Windhoek on Monday.

The party raised N$16 million at a fundraising gala dinner in Windhoek on Friday.

Those who donated to Swapo include Indian businessman Ali Dharani and a son of Zimbabwean president Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Mnangagwa’s donation was part of a N$2.5-million contribution from four Zimbabweans.

It’s unclear which son the donation came from, but it was made by Apphia Musavengana, who was introduced at the party’s fundraising gala dinner as a “daughter” of the Zimbabwean president.

The biggest donor was a company from Norway, with an interest in beef, which donated N$3 million.

The Namibian on Monday reported on the donations under the headline ‘Democracy for Sale’.

Nandi-Ndaitwah this week said Swapo is a democratic and open party, and those who donated to the party did so transparently and willingly.

“Then you look at the headline, ‘Democracy for Sale’. Because it’s happening in Namibia? Follow other democratic countries, and you will see how candidates are raising money openly. Are big companies giving money? Are they selling their democracy?

“Swapo is a party that will maintain peace and stability in this country for them to run their business and to have peace – a system that is going to be transparent, ethical, with integrity and serving everybody.

“Those who are giving money to Swapo, they want to protect the true democracy Swapo has,” she said.