By Stefanus Nashama and Kaundjire Humbu
AS SWAPO gears for its elective congress expected to take stage in over a year, conversations around the corridors is that for some of SWAPO’s liberation-era veterans, the 2027 elective congress could signal their final political stretch, as age and changing party dynamics, could work against them.
Informally, party cadres and closing rank, regrouping and have commenced with underground campaigns throwing their names in the hat for election come 2027, although the party maintains, preparations are not ripe.
Confidente understands previous hopefuls in past congresses seem to want to make a comeback, giving what for some, would be a final try at leadership.
Confidente established that while some of the party’s veteran figures are openly ruling themselves out because of age, others are refusing to close the door on another political contest.
Some are keeping their cards firmly against their chests, while others are signaling that they would accept nomination, in the event that the party calls on them.
SWAPO’s Oshikoto regional co-ordinator Armas Amukwiyu, who contested for the position of secretary general in 2017 and 2022, appears to be among those willing to enter the race if the party gives him the opportunity.
Amukwiyu said that given a chance to participate at the congress, his ambition would not extend beyond the secretary general position.
“I am child and servant of the party and I am looking forward to any congress position at which I may be nominated for,” said Amukwiyu.
He also called for continuity, urging those who are nominated to preserve what he described as the cultures established by the party’s former leaders and veterans.
“Let us work together and avoid unnecessary divisions and disagreements,” he encouraged.
Meanwhile, central committee member and businesswoman, Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun, pointed to the party’s internal processes as the reason why it may be too early for candidates to openly declare themselves.
Namundjebo-Tilahun also previously ran for the position of deputy secretary general in 2017.
“You know for someone to stand for any position at the congress, such person get nominated and seconded. SWAPO has rules and regulations and there is nothing personal in the constitution,” Namundjebo-Tilahun mentioned.
But Namundjebo-Tilahun did offer a glimpse into how she views political contests. She said she does not approach a political race as a pursuit of power.
“One thing I learnt from Founding President Sam Nujoma and my father is that when you go for a race do not go for power, go for purpose,” she added.
Namundjebo-Tilahun urged those who may find themselves standing for positions to lead by example.
Former SWAPO secretary general Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana, one of the party’s most experienced political figures, declined to reveal whether she intends to contest a position.
In the past, Iivula-Ithana competed for the now frozen vice president position in 2012 and 2017.
“The congress is still far, and between those months there is a process of identifying those who have intention to stand,” she said.
She said she would not comment further to avoid confusion adding: “I am just a member like others. Even if I comment now, it will not help anything,” she said.
Responding to questions, veteran SWAPO stalwart Helmut Angula has ruled himself out of seeking a position at the 2027 congress, citing his age and retirement from active politics.
Angula decided to go on his own and to challenge for the party vice presidency at the 2017 congress.
He has been outspoken about the current frozen vice president position, calling for the party to host an extraordinary congress to fill that vacancy.
“I am retired from active politics. My age does not stand well for me to be in active politics,” said Angula. He however, maintains that retirement does not mean disengagement.
He stressed that although the congress may still be some distance away, the party should not use time as an excuse to delay preparations.
“Time might be long before the congress but preparations matter.
This will allow the party to look at all issues, such as the constitution, requirements, party structures and the congress itself,” he added.
Furthermore, Angula warned that waiting until the congress itself to raise concerns could leave comrades complaining about matters that could have been addressed well in advance.
He also stressed that those who put themselves forward must remember whom they are supposed to serve.
National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila also did not respond to questions sent to her.
In 2022, Kuugongelwa-Amadhila lost out in a race to contest for the vice president position against President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.
SWAPO veteran Jerry Ekandjo requested that questions be shared with him on WhatsApp but did not respond.
“I am currently busy, I cannot comment. Please, send your questions on WhatsApp, then I will respond in the afternoon when I get home,” Ekandjo said.
He also ran for the position of vice president in 2012 and 2017 congresses against the late President Hage Geingob, while in 2022, the central committee did not approve his candidacy for the same position.
Consequently, he had threated to drag the party to court over its decision to withdrawn him form the race.
Another central committee member and defense minister, Frans Kapofi, who has also been rumored to have interest in the vacant and coveted party vice president job, said those who want to participate at the congress to be prepared to serve the people and not personal interests.
“It is advisable to talk to those closer to the congress. We will talk about it when we get there. The party leadership will pronounce itself when it is the right time. Therefore it is not yet time for me to be in a comment. For now, let us continue serving the people while we are waiting for the congress,” Kapofi stated.
He intended to run for the vice president position in 2022 but later withdrawn his candidacy allegedly on the recommendation of former President Hifikepunye Pohamba.
On his part, SWAPO deputy secretary general Uahekua Herunga appeared to pour cold water on suggestions that the party has already entered the informal nomination phase.
Herunga indicated that preparations for the congress have not yet commenced.
He also said the central committee has not yet taken a decision to nominate candidates, meaning no candidate has officially presented themselves through the party’s formal processes.
Herunga said the central committee is expected to convene at the end of August for possible consideration of matters relating to the congress.
Meanwhile, SWAPO has announced that President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah intends to dedicate one day each week to consultations with the party’s structures as part of efforts to strengthen engagement between the leadership, members and communities.
The arrangement was announced by party secretary general Sophia Shaningwa in a letter dated 12 August 2026 to members of the party’s central, regional, district and branch executive committees, as well as sections, wings and affiliates.
The initiative, titled the “Operationalization of the SWAPO Party Office of the President”, is premised on Article 15(1) of the SWAPO Party Constitution, which states that the party president is its leader and chief executive officer.
According to Shaningwa, the Office of the President will inform SWAPO structures about the consultations with Nandi-Ndaitwah on a weekly basis.
The party says the initiative is intended to ensure that its leadership remains “accessible, responsive, and connected” to party structures and the communities they represent.
“Having been entrusted with the leadership of the party through the confidence and mandate given by the people, the President recognizes the importance of continuous engagement, dialogue, and consultation,” the letter states.
