Renthia Kaimbi
With the November local authority elections approaching, internal conflict in the Swapo party has delayed candidate selection and forced the postponement of the Walvis Bay and Arandis district conferences.
The conferences, set for last weekend, were meant to shortlist aspirants for the Arandis, Walvis Bay Urban, and Walvis Bay Rural constituencies.
A dispute over candidate eligibility in Walvis Bay disrupted the process.
Members claim they were informed only registered party delegates may stand as candidates.
The rule sparked outrage, with some saying it was not communicated at the start of nominations and accusing leadership of trying to manipulate the outcome.
Swapo party regional coordinator for Erongo, Daniel Utapi Muhuura, confirmed the postponement.
He said it was a directive from the office of secretary general Sophia Shaningwa.
“This circular serves to inform you that the District conferences for Walvis Bay Urban, Walvis Bay Rural and Arandis Districts, which were scheduled to take place on 6 and 7 September 2025, respectively, have been postponed until further notice due to the instruction from the office of our secretary general,” Muhuura wrote in a circular.
The race in Walvis Bay is already crowded. More than five former councillors are competing for candidacy, including former mayor King Mandume Muatunga and former deputy mayor Penelope Martins. Businessman Johnny Johnson Doëseb is also in the running.
Concerned party members have approached Muhuura to question the sudden rule change and asked leadership to show the specific article in the Swapo constitution that requires delegate status.
“I’m the (political) head of the region. I know what’s going on, but the conferences were postponed until further notice by the SG. I have no comment on other details,” Muhuura said.
Officials in the secretary general’s office confirmed the postponement and said the affected districts will be informed when to proceed.
Similar disruptions have already occurred in Tsumkwe,with Swakopmund likely to follow.
