SPYL elects secretariat

DOBRA, Sept. 7 –  SPYL Central Committee members today held their first meeting which elected fifteen (15) delegates and four (4) candidates to the Swapo Party Central Committee for the 6th congress later this year.

Dumeni Gerson from Omusati region was elected as Secretary of information and Mobilization, while Mayor of Usakos, Akser Shuudeni Mwafangeyo became the Secretary of International Affairs, and   the Office of Finance and Administration went to Meriam Nghidipo. Deputy Mayor of Outjo, Marius Sheya won the Office of Economic affairs.

Tuyeni Kandume is the new Secretary of Labour, while Julius Gaeseb from Oshikoto region and one of five (5) Central Committee appointees by the SPYL Secretary, was again elevated as Secretary of Health and Environmement. Education, Culture and Pioneer Movement went to Hofini Ipinge from the Oshana region.

Rihabian Iyambo, also from Oshana region and Kahimbi Tembwe Brightness from Zambezi region are the additional members. Five members appointed by SPYL Secretary Ephraim Nekongo are Sharonice Busch, Abel Amutse, Rihabiam Iyambo, Julius Gaeseb and Christine Malwa.

Sharonice Busch, Abel Amutse, Rihabiam Iyambo, Julius Gaeseb and Christine Malwa were appointed by SPYL Secretary Ephraim Nekongo as his constitutional power

However, according to sources, tensions usually become high when they elected delegates and candidates to the congress.

Attorney General Sacky Shanghala, National Youth Council Executive Chairman Mandela Kapere, Deputy Minister Lucia Ipumbu and newly appointed member of parliament Paula Kooper were endorsed as candidates of the youth to Central Committee of Swapo Party come congress. However, some members wanted to block them and questioned the manner in which they were identified as undemocratic and unknown, though majority ruled in favour of the four comrades.

All National Executives Committee (NEC) and four candidates, Finance Deputy Minister Natangwe Ithete, officials from National Youth Services (NYS) Olivia Valunganeka and Mayor of City of Windhoek Muzee Kazapwa were added to represent SPYL to the congress. The meeting was officially opened by Deputy Prime minister and Minister of International Affairs Netumbo Nandi Ndaitwa on Tuesday. –  Robert Maseka