Namandje recuses himself from ‘pot’ contest
Swapo politburo member Sisa Namandje is among high profile leaders who have made themselves unavailable for contestation at the upcoming electoral college of the party, where those eyeing parliamentary seats and eventually Cabinet positions will be elected.
Namandje, a hugely successful lawyer who charges up to N$60 000 for a single court appearance, has confirmed to Namibian Sun that he is not available for a seat in parliament. An ordinary member of parliament in the National Assembly earns N$56 000 a month, while those who are lucky to be picked for full ministerial positions earn about N$91 000, which is still a drop in the ocean compared to Namandje’s earnings.
The lawyer, however, said money was not a motivation for his snubbing of the ‘pot’, as the Swapo electoral college is colloquially known. “I can confirm that I am not available as a candidate at the Swapo Party’s electoral college. I am happy to continue serving in Swapo structures while contributing to the Namibian jurisprudence through private law practice,” he said.
His law firm employs more than 40 employees, and sources close to the veteran lawyer have suggested that he fears his business would be negatively affected if he takes up the strenuous parliamentary job, which requires extensive travelling and other daily demands.
Namandje previously turned down the opportunity to serve in the governments of both presidents Hifikepunye Pohamba and Hage Geingob.
Intense jostling
Apart from Namandje, a number of other senior figures in the ruling party have formally informed the party’s leadership that they will not be available to contest for a spot on the parliamentary list. They include Oshikoto regional coordinator Armas Amukwiyu and his Otjozondjupa counterpart Imms Namaseb, who have separately written to Swapo secretary-general Sophia Shaningwa to inform her of their unavailability.
With the party’s electoral college just weeks away, intense underground jostling and lobbying is said to be rife within party structures. Regardless of the outcome, Swapo's electoral list is expected to provide a dramatic glimpse of the likely complexion of the country’s next parliament.
This electoral college will signal the first time the party will vote for its parliamentary representatives without a substantive president.
The current top-three leaders - vice-president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Shaningwa and deputy secretary-general Uahekua Herunga - will automatically lead the list, before two separate lists, one for men and another for women, are then blended in order to complete the final selection of prospective members of parliament, reflecting a 50/50 gender representation.
The electoral college will take place from 6 to 8 September, when all central committee members, Swapo members of the National Assembly, party structures and affiliates will battle it out for a spot on the 96-member parliamentary list.
Namandje, a hugely successful lawyer who charges up to N$60 000 for a single court appearance, has confirmed to Namibian Sun that he is not available for a seat in parliament. An ordinary member of parliament in the National Assembly earns N$56 000 a month, while those who are lucky to be picked for full ministerial positions earn about N$91 000, which is still a drop in the ocean compared to Namandje’s earnings.
The lawyer, however, said money was not a motivation for his snubbing of the ‘pot’, as the Swapo electoral college is colloquially known. “I can confirm that I am not available as a candidate at the Swapo Party’s electoral college. I am happy to continue serving in Swapo structures while contributing to the Namibian jurisprudence through private law practice,” he said.
His law firm employs more than 40 employees, and sources close to the veteran lawyer have suggested that he fears his business would be negatively affected if he takes up the strenuous parliamentary job, which requires extensive travelling and other daily demands.
Namandje previously turned down the opportunity to serve in the governments of both presidents Hifikepunye Pohamba and Hage Geingob.
Intense jostling
Apart from Namandje, a number of other senior figures in the ruling party have formally informed the party’s leadership that they will not be available to contest for a spot on the parliamentary list. They include Oshikoto regional coordinator Armas Amukwiyu and his Otjozondjupa counterpart Imms Namaseb, who have separately written to Swapo secretary-general Sophia Shaningwa to inform her of their unavailability.
With the party’s electoral college just weeks away, intense underground jostling and lobbying is said to be rife within party structures. Regardless of the outcome, Swapo's electoral list is expected to provide a dramatic glimpse of the likely complexion of the country’s next parliament.
This electoral college will signal the first time the party will vote for its parliamentary representatives without a substantive president.
The current top-three leaders - vice-president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Shaningwa and deputy secretary-general Uahekua Herunga - will automatically lead the list, before two separate lists, one for men and another for women, are then blended in order to complete the final selection of prospective members of parliament, reflecting a 50/50 gender representation.
The electoral college will take place from 6 to 8 September, when all central committee members, Swapo members of the National Assembly, party structures and affiliates will battle it out for a spot on the 96-member parliamentary list.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article