Muinjangue quits Nudo presidential race

The first woman to ever lead a political party in Namibia, National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo) president Esther Muinjangue, has withdrawn from the race to lead the party for another term, Namibian Sun has learnt.Muinjangue, who was appointed as deputy health minister, shocked the party’s national executive committee on Saturday when she announced that she will not be part of those vying to lead Nudo for the next five years.The party, through its secretary-general Josef Kauandenge, yesterday confirmed that Muinjangue will not be on the ballot paper when over 500 party delegates converge on 12 and 13 July for Nudo’s elective congress.Her decision not to stand comes at an extremely tumultuous time for Nudo, and less than eight months before Namibians head to the polls.Toxic environmentIn a no-holds-barred interview with Namibian Sun yesterday, Muinjangue explained her decision, saying she faced never-ending resistance from egotistic and chauvinistic male figures in the party. She also cited the fact that there are too many candidates in the presidential race, that it is a toxic working environment and that some of the candidates merely want to lead the party for employment purposes as reasons behind her decision to bow out.“I am in a patriarchal community where the egos of men are deep-rooted. The constant drama in the party that started as soon as I took over meant that I was always expected to prove myself. Surely it is not healthy to work in such an environment,” the social worker-turned-politician said.According to her, party leaders often opt to remain silent instead of backing her when she is attacked.Muinjangue lamented that her male counterparts in the party’s top structures have often been reluctant to cooperate with her and remain committed to making things difficult for her.“People are not happy because I am a woman leading the party,” she quipped.Job-seekersWith five individuals having thrown their hat in the ring, Muinjangue described the crowded race as a ‘joke’.So far, Kauandenge, incumbent Nudo vice-president Peter Kazongomuinja, City of Windhoek deputy mayor Joseph Uapingene, former Okakarara regional councillor Vetaruhe Kandorozu and ex-Namibia Football Association (NFA) general secretary Barry Rukoro have indicated willingness to contest for the party’s top seat.“Nudo is small party. Not in ideology or substance, but in numbers. You will recall that in the previous national elections, we just got over 17 000 votes, but now you have five people contesting for one position. For me, that is a big joke and it simply means we are sharing votes and causing destruction instead of building,” Muinjangue said.She also voiced fears that the party could be turned into an employment agency where people merely stand for positions to earn a salary - instead of genuinely serving the party.“For some people, this is a job opportunity. We must remember that we are in positions to serve and grow the support base of the party. When I got this position, I was already a lecturer at the University of Namibia, so I did not come here because I was in need of a salary,” she said.Swapo lapdogWhen she was appointed as deputy health minister in March 2020, numerous senior Nudo members opposed the move, with several critics accusing Muinjangue of being in bed with the ruling Swapo Party.There were also those who felt the party’s independence was jeopardised by her ministerial appointment.Muinjangue, however, said those against her appointment have little insight about the advantages that come with both positions.“The appointment means I get to attend international events and meet people from different backgrounds,” she said.She added: “To those who say I am being paid by the Swapo-led government, they must not forget that the funding Nudo gets for its seats in Parliament also comes from the Swapo-led government”.Restructuring processesMuinjangue also addressed claims that, under her leadership, the party’s finances are in shambles.“During the last three years, we received unqualified audits from the auditor-general. That is all I want to say to those who claim our finances are not healthy,” she said.With Nudo’s leadership having resolved to postpone the party’s congress from 27 April to 12 and 13 July, the rumour mill within the party is in overdrive that its financial coffers are empty.“The congress was not postponed because of money issues, but to allow the party to finalise restructuring processes,” Muinjangue said.Considering the ‘toxic’ political jostling, she feels her successor should be someone who can keep the party together.“That person must have the ability to grow the party’s membership base and should possess the correct level of emotional maturity,” she said.

Muinjangue quits Nudo presidential race

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-15

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Muinjangue quits Nudo presidential race

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-15

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