‘Pot’ glory for Swapo youth

It was a joyous moment for young people within the Swapo ranks yesterday when many who contested for a spot on the party’s parliamentary list landed favourable positions.

While a number of the party’s old guard have been left licking their political wounds and walked out of the venue with heads bowed, the youth rejoiced in song and dance after returning officer Fillemon Wise Immanuel announced the outcome of the famous Swapo ‘pot’.

It seems the party’s Young Turks heeded late president Hage Geingob’s 2019 advice when he told them to stop crying for positions and start voting themselves into power.

If Swapo obtains more than 29 seats during the upcoming elections, a 22-year-old University of Namibia (Unam) student will be the party’s youngest parliamentarian. Fenny Tutjavi is one of Swapo vice-president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s 10 appointees.

Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) secretary Ephraim Nekongo also forms part of the presidential appointees.

Representation matters

Tutjavi was humbled by her appointment, but remains confident that the young brigade has the potential to contribute to the national discourse. “This is an overwhelming moment for me. It is an honour I will carry throughout the days of my life and hopefully I can serve as an inspiration for others,” SPYL’s Unam branch secretary said.

She added that the demand for young people to be more involved in the country’s affairs is growing, and therefore “we need a greater magnitude of representation to match the youth population”.

“Many of the current leaders were appointed at a very young age, which shows that the party has always created platforms where young people can thrive and excel,” she said.

SPYL leader Willem Amutenya also made it to the top half of the party list, setting him in an advantageous position to go to the National Assembly next year. With the youth having struggled to break into the party’s top ranks over the years, Amutenya said this time “we went into the electoral college united”.

“We also made sure that we have more young delegates at the electoral college,” he quipped.

Otjozondjupa regional governor James Uerikua also performed well during the ‘pot’ contest. “When you look at the youth segment and the fact that 71% of the population [consists of young people], it is important that parties evolve with the changes in the country. The delegates demonstrated the wishes and aspirations of the masses that were not part of this process,” he said.

Uerikua added: “Swapo is in a constant process of improvement, reassurance, renewal and continuity".

'We've cried for too long'

Swapo music band Ndilimani Cultural Troupe’s lead singer Castro Iileni was another youthful candidate who made it onto the list.

“I am happy that the youth made it. It shows that the youth are the future. Our mother [Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah] has repeatedly said she believes in the youth. She also knows that we have cried for too long, therefore we need to be given a chance,” he said.

Other prominent young people who landed favourable positions include information minister Emma Theofelus, who was fourth on the female list.

Kunene governor Marius Sheya, Erongo governor Neville Andre Itope and National Youth Council executive chairperson Sharonice Busch also made it into the top 60.