By: Eba Kandovazu
Swapo’s Oshana Regional Coordinator, Samuel Nelongo, who last Friday said he would not attend the drive-through event on Sunday, says that a meeting between him and Swapo Secretary-General Sophia Shaningwa resolved their differences.
Nelongo previously said that he felt sidelined by Shaningwa accepting an invitation from Swapo “foot soldiers” to address the crowd without communicating with his office first.
The drive-through, spearheaded by prominent businessman Sigo-Aluhe Amunyela, started at 9 am yesterday. A convoy of vehicles with Swapo flags paraded the streets of Oshakati and Ongwediva.
Nelongo initially said that the ruling party’s regional executive committee did not approve the drive-through.
However, in a complete u-turn, he has now accepted the event, stating that it is positive for the party.
“I retracted because it is a positive move that benefits the party and the region. It also benefits the mobilisation activities in the region. Therefore when we decided to iron out the issues, we also resolved that this issue should not be repeated again. So we went ahead with the event, which was a success,” he said.
Nelongo described the event as a success. He delivered the welcoming remarks.
“Our Secretary-General focused on the motivation of the Party members concerning the 62nd anniversary of Swapo. She reminded us to go into the memory lane of our party and our future plans. She also paid tribute to our forefathers and foremothers. She also urged the youth to be the defenders of the party for it to survive beyond 100 years,” he said.
On Friday, he had said that Shaningwa, by deciding to go to the event, was doing so individually.
“And that was her personal choice, without working together with us as the leadership in the region. Swapo events are organised by following procedures. These procedures are constitutionally recognised, and if someone decides individually to do things without following due process, they are doing so by themselves,” Nelongo said.
