You are currently viewing Swapo leaders campaign on WhatsApp

Swapo leaders campaign on WhatsApp


SEVERAL Swapo leaders aspiring to be elected to the party’s central committee at the upcoming Swapo elective congress have started canvassing for votes on various WhatsApp groups.

Some of these leaders include minister of finance Iipumbu Shiimi, Tsumeb mayor Matheus Hangula, Windhoek Rural coordinator John Elago, Katutura Central district coordinator Michael Aihuki, and former Swapo secretary general Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana.

Others are former deputy minister of works and transport Sankwasa James Sankwasa, Hardap governor Salomon April, Swapo member of parliament Sebastiaan Karupu, and Ongwediva local authority councillor Naemi Amuthenu.

Iipumbu on Wednesday night urged delegates to the elective congress on a WhatsApp group to vote for him, saying he is a hard-working and honest person.

“Comrades, when you vote for comrade Iipumbu Shiimi, you vote for a person whose motivation to be in leadership is only to serve the Namibian people with humility and courage,” the minister wrote.

He said he is well equipped to contribute hugely to the country’s socio-economic development agenda and to a better future for the youth.

Shiimi said his leadership has been tested for a long time as he has occupied various leadership roles in the country’s key institutions.

Speaking to The Namibian yesterday, Elago said he is hopeful and ready to serve in the central committee.

He said after tomorrow’s central committee meeting, where various candidates are expected to be nominated for the top three positions, he would be reaching out to other regions to vote him into the central committee.

“The campaigns are not officially open. What is happening now is just people creating awareness, but we are ready to serve,” Elago said.

He made headlines when he accused minister of environment, forestry and tourism Pohamba Shifeta of attacking and humiliating him at Swapo’s Khomas regional conference three weeks ago.

Elago was contesting for the Khomas regional coordinator position at the regional conference.

He lost to Elliot Mbako.

Shifeta has denied attacking Elago.

Karupu said he is not campaigning, since the party has not officially launched campaigns yet.

“We are just being circulated by comrades who have pictures of us. One cannot comment now, but if you call me on 12 September I will be able to give you more information,” Karupu said.

The Namibian has, however, seen a post by Karupu in which he is canvassing for votes.

In the post, Karupu, who served as Kavango governor from 1999 to 2002, described himself as “a tried and tested Swapo party cadre”.

He said he is the chairperson of the Swapo national leaders assigned to the Tsumkwe special area in the Otjozondjupa region.

“Comrade Sebastiaan Karupu is vying for the Swapo party central committee position for the first time. He is pleading with all of you comrades to accord him an opportunity to serve his loved party and people,” he wrote.

Sankwasa yesterday said a post bearing his picture which is being shared on social media is old, and that he is yet to be nominated.

He said social media campaigns mostly target the youth.

Shiimi did not answer calls to his cellphone yesterday, and Hangula promised to return The Namibian’s call, but has not done so by the time of going to print. Tsumeb mayor Mathew Hangula, yesterday said social media campaigns are good for marketing, especially now that the world is transiting to the fourth Industrial Revolution.





Source link