Swapo elders endorse Geingob for party presidency The Swapo Party Elders Council (SPEC) at the conclusion of its elective congress at Outapi endorsed President Hage Geingob as their preferred candidate for the party presidency at the upcoming party congress.
This announcement was made by Mukwaita Shanyengana during his speech after he retained his position as SPEC secretary. He said they would support Geingob at the congress slated to take place later this year. The SPEC congress was held under the theme 'With Age Comes Wisdom'. Both Shanyengana and Mary Masule, who retained the deputy secretary position, stood unopposed. “At the congress we talk openly. We the Swapo Party Elders Council are supporting President Hage Geingob to be party president,” Shanyengana said.
Geingob, who was caught off guard by the sentiments of the SPEC, tried to shy away from what Shanyengana said but he thanked them for their support.
The Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) earlier this year also endorsed Geingob as their preferred candidate for the party's top position. Geingob said in his keynote address that congresses are competitive where some will be elected into positions while others will not, but that should not lead to problems afterwards.
“Let us therefore take into account the fact that, although we may compete against each other during our respective congresses, we are first and foremost comrades, comrades who share a bond of blood, sweat and tears, etched in the soils that we liberated,” Geingob said.
Geingob further said when there are disagreements they should be based on facts and not be made personal, saying that there is no problem if individuals disagree about methods and ideas on how to do something.
“It is not wrong to disagree but let us avoid becoming disagreeable. Make a case without being angry and insulting… above everything else we are comrades,” Geingob said.
Regarding the newly elected SPEC leaders and central committee members, Geingob said with their wisdom they had the responsibility to share the principles of the party with the younger generation and strengthen the party.
“As the roots of Swapo, we depend on your wisdom and deep knowledge to sustain the life force of the party and bring about the sprouting of new branches, which will ensure that Swapo is a party that will always bear good fruit,” Geingob said.
Talking about the challenges the country was facing, Geingob said the Swapo Party-led government's efforts must be intensified to bolster its leadership.
“We are faced with several countervailing forces that could hinder our plans such as the unpredictable global economy, income disparities, poverty, corruption and the ever-looming spectre of tribalism. We must therefore intensify our efforts to consolidate our position as a people-centred party, by bolstering the leadership and intellectual capacity of the party,” Geingob said.
Attorney-general Sackey Shangala declared the outcome of the SPEC congress free and fair. Electronic voting machines were used for the election process.
This announcement was made by Mukwaita Shanyengana during his speech after he retained his position as SPEC secretary. He said they would support Geingob at the congress slated to take place later this year. The SPEC congress was held under the theme 'With Age Comes Wisdom'. Both Shanyengana and Mary Masule, who retained the deputy secretary position, stood unopposed. “At the congress we talk openly. We the Swapo Party Elders Council are supporting President Hage Geingob to be party president,” Shanyengana said.
Geingob, who was caught off guard by the sentiments of the SPEC, tried to shy away from what Shanyengana said but he thanked them for their support.
The Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) earlier this year also endorsed Geingob as their preferred candidate for the party's top position. Geingob said in his keynote address that congresses are competitive where some will be elected into positions while others will not, but that should not lead to problems afterwards.
“Let us therefore take into account the fact that, although we may compete against each other during our respective congresses, we are first and foremost comrades, comrades who share a bond of blood, sweat and tears, etched in the soils that we liberated,” Geingob said.
Geingob further said when there are disagreements they should be based on facts and not be made personal, saying that there is no problem if individuals disagree about methods and ideas on how to do something.
“It is not wrong to disagree but let us avoid becoming disagreeable. Make a case without being angry and insulting… above everything else we are comrades,” Geingob said.
Regarding the newly elected SPEC leaders and central committee members, Geingob said with their wisdom they had the responsibility to share the principles of the party with the younger generation and strengthen the party.
“As the roots of Swapo, we depend on your wisdom and deep knowledge to sustain the life force of the party and bring about the sprouting of new branches, which will ensure that Swapo is a party that will always bear good fruit,” Geingob said.
Talking about the challenges the country was facing, Geingob said the Swapo Party-led government's efforts must be intensified to bolster its leadership.
“We are faced with several countervailing forces that could hinder our plans such as the unpredictable global economy, income disparities, poverty, corruption and the ever-looming spectre of tribalism. We must therefore intensify our efforts to consolidate our position as a people-centred party, by bolstering the leadership and intellectual capacity of the party,” Geingob said.
Attorney-general Sackey Shangala declared the outcome of the SPEC congress free and fair. Electronic voting machines were used for the election process.