Geingob talks China, unity, Swapo 'cabinet'

President Hage Geingob has told members of the Swapo Central Committee (CC) at their first official meeting for the year there must be unity and cohesion within the party, following last year's bruising elective congress.

He also told the CC that Namibia and China are “equals” and that he is also looking at having a Swapo 'cabinet', which will be briefed on decisions made by the national cabinet.

Geingob, who briefed members on several issues on Saturday, told the CC that congress is over and he does not want division within the party.

“We had elections and this divides people within the party,” he said.

“Now that it is over, if people have doubts let them go to the courts. Let us move forward in the spirit of Harambee.”

In November last year Geingob was elected as Swapo president after vying for the position with Jerry Ekandjo and Nahas Angula.

The winner, as per the party's succession policy, automatically becomes the Swapo candidate for the 2019 national presidential election.

Also up for grabs during the elections were the vice-president, secretary-general (SG) and deputy SG positions, while 84 CC members were also elected.

Campaigns leading to the congress were marred by vulgarities, insults and personal attacks by the two competing camps, christened Team Harambee and Team Swapo.

Geingob told the CC members they should join hands and work on the leadership roles that have been assigned to them.

“The campaign is over. The election is over. It is one party now,” he said.

Geingob further briefed the CC on his recent state visit to China and said the Asian nation has elevated Namibia to a strategic cooperation partner.

He stressed this means Namibia and China are equals and dismissed reports that China was colonising Africa.

“It has never colonised Africa,” he said.





He said China and Namibia are partners and friends. He said it is true that loans were discussed with China and added that several other topics such as agricultural and tourism, as well as corruption, also came up for discussion.

Geingob said if tenders are given in an unlawful manner it will be cancelled.

He specifically referred to the Hosea Kutako International Airport tender which was previously cancelled.

He further spoke about his recent trip to the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in London.

He mentioned the fact that Prince Charles will become the next head of the Commonwealth after Queen Elizabeth.

Queen Elizabeth has led the Commonwealth since 1952, when she took over the role from her late father, George VI. However the position is not hereditary and it is up to the leaders of the 53 member nations to select a successor.

Geingob however said the position should have been held by a head of state. “But this was the ruling,” he said referring to fact that Prince Charles has been tipped for the position.

He also informed the committee members about the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Double Troika Summit that was recently held in Luanda.

Geingob will take over as chair at the 38th Ordinary SADC Summit in August this year.

He said with the chairmanship coming to Namibia the country must be ready and therefore committees must be set up to plan for this.

Furthermore, Geingob said in the future he wants to implement a “smaller cabinet” for the party, which will be briefed by Swapo SG Sophia Shaningwa.

Therefore, after the government cabinet briefing has taken place, another Swapo cabinet briefing must also take place to ensure information flow to the party.

ELLANIE SMIT