SWAPO











































SWAPO Party of Namibia
Abbreviation
SWAPO
President
Hage Geingob
Secretary-General
Sophia Shaningwa
Founders
Sam Nujoma
Andimba Toivo ya Toivo
Jacob Kuhangua
Louis Nelengani
Lucas Nepela
Founded
19 April 1960
Headquarters
Windhoek, Namibia
Newspaper
Namibia Today (inactive)
Think tank
SWAPO Think Tank
Youth wing
SPYL
Women's wing
SWAPO Women's Council
Elder's wing
SWAPO Elders Council
Paramilitary wing
People's Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) (integrated into Namibian Defence Force)
Ideology


Official:
Socialism[1]


Majority:
African nationalism
Social democracy[2][3]
Statism[4]


Factions:
Left-wing populism[5]


Historical:
Marxism-Leninism[6]
Political position
Centre-left to left-wing
International affiliation
Socialist International
African affiliation
Former Liberation Movements of SA
National Assembly

77 / 96


Local Councillors

226 / 327


SADC PF

0 / 5


Pan-African Parliament

4 / 5


Party flag

Flag of South West Africa People's Organisation.svg
Website

www.swapoparty.org

  • Politics of Namibia

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  • Elections










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SWAPO (/ˈswɑːp/), formerly the South West African People's Organisation (German: Südwestafrikanische Volksorganisation, SWAVO; Afrikaans: Suidwes-Afrikaanse Volk-Organisasie, SWAVO) and officially known as SWAPO Party of Namibia, is a political party and former independence movement in Namibia. It has been the governing party in Namibia since the country achieved independence in 1990. The party continues to be dominated in number and influence by Ovambo people.


In the general election held in November 2014, the party won 86.73% of the popular vote and 77 out of 96 seats. As of November 2017, Namibian President Hage Geingob has been the president of SWAPO.




Contents





  • 1 History

    • 1.1 Background and Foundation


    • 1.2 Struggle for independence


    • 1.3 Independent Namibia


    • 1.4 Election results



  • 2 Structure

    • 2.1 Politburo


    • 2.2 Central Committee


    • 2.3 List of Presidents



  • 3 Finances and business interests


  • 4 Alleged human rights abuses


  • 5 Memberships


  • 6 See also


  • 7 References


  • 8 External links




History



Background and Foundation


After World War I the League of Nations gave South West Africa, formerly a German colony, to the United Kingdom as a mandate under the administration of South Africa.[7] When the National Party won the 1948 election in South Africa and subsequently introduced apartheid legislation,[8] these laws were applied as well to South West Africa. It was considered the de facto fifth province of South Africa.[9]


SWAPO was founded on 19 April 1960 as the successor of the Ovamboland People's Organization. Leaders renamed the party to show that it represented all Namibians. But, the organisation had its base among the Ovambo people of northern Namibia, who constituted nearly half the total population.[10]



Struggle for independence


During 1962 SWAPO had emerged as the dominant nationalist organisation for the Namibian people. It co-opted other groups such as the South West Africa National Union (SWANU), and later in 1976 the Namibia African People's Democratic Organisation.[11] SWAPO used guerrilla tactics to fight the South African Defence Force. On 26 August 1966, the first major clash of the conflict took place, when a unit of the South African Police, supported by the South African Air Force, exchanged fire with SWAPO forces.


This date is generally regarded as the start of what became known in South Africa as the Border War. In 1972 the United Nations General Assembly recognised SWAPO as the 'sole legitimate representative' of Namibia's people.[12] The Norwegian government began giving aid directly to SWAPO in 1974.[13]


The country of Angola gained its independence on 11 November 1975 following its war for independence. The leftist Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), supported by Cuba and the Soviet Union, came to power. In March 1976, the MPLA offered SWAPO bases in Angola for launching attacks against the South African military.



Independent Namibia


When Namibia gained its independence in 1990, SWAPO became the dominant political party. Though the organisation rejected the term South West Africa and insisted on replacing it with Namibia, the organisation's own name—derived from the territory's old name—was too deeply rooted in the independence movement to be changed. However, the original full name is no longer used; only the acronym remains.[10] SWAPO, and with it much of Namibia's government and administration, continues to be dominated by Ovambo people, despite "considerable efforts to counter [that] perception".[14]


SWAPO president Sam Nujoma was declared Namibia's first President after SWAPO won the inaugural election in 1989. A decade later Nujoma had the constitution changed so he could run for a third term in 1999, as it limits the presidency to two terms.


In 2004 the SWAPO presidential candidate was Hifikepunye Pohamba, described as Nujoma's hand-picked successor.[15][16] In 2014 the SWAPO presidential candidate was Hage Geingob who was the Vice-President of SWAPO.



Election results




SWAPO election campaign vehicle












































Election
Votes
%
Seats
+/–
Position
Government

1994
370,452
76.34


53 / 72


Steady
Steady 1st
Majority gov't

1999
414,096
76.82


55 / 78



Increase 2

Steady 1st
Majority gov't

2004
625,605
76.44


55 / 78


Steady
Steady 1st
Majority gov't

2009
611,241
75.25


54 / 72



Decrease 1

Steady 1st
Majority gov't

2014
772,528
86.73


77 / 96



Increase 23

Steady 1st
Majority gov't


Structure


The party president is the top position of SWAPO; in 2012 this was held by Namibia's former president Pohamba. The vice-president is Namibia's current president Hage Geingob, who was elected to that position in 2007 and reconfirmed at the SWAPO congress in December 2012. The third highest position in SWAPO is the Secretary-General, a position held in December 2012 by Nangolo Mbumba. Number four is the Deputy Secretary-General, Omaheke Governor Laura McLeod-Katjirua.[17]


Like many socialist and communist parties, SWAPO is governed by a Politburo and a Central Committee. The party leadership is advised by a Youth League, a Women's Council, and an Elders Council.



Politburo


The Politburo of SWAPO is a body that currently[update] consists of:[18]


  • The Party President: Hage Geingob

  • The Party former President: Hifikepunye Pohamba

  • The Secretary-General: Sophia Shaningwa

  • The Deputy Secretary-General: Marco Hausiku

  • Two Members appointed by the Party President: ? and ?

  • 18 Members elected by the SWAPO Central Committee[19]


  • Nangolo Mbumba

  • Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila

  • Laura McLeod-Katjirua

  • Pohamba Shifeta

  • Peter Katjavivi

  • Doreen Sioka

  • Katrina Hanse-Himarwa

  • Mensah Mesnah-Williams

  • Sirkka Ausiku

  • Lucia Witbooi

  • Hilma Nikanor

  • Bernard Esau

  • Alpheus ǃNaruseb

  • Calle Schlettwein

  • John Mutorwa

  • Albert Kawana

  • Lucia Ipumbu

  • Tobie Aupindi



Central Committee




Typical SWAPO sticker on Namibian vehicle


SWAPO's Central Committee consists of:


  • The President

  • The Vice-President

  • The Secretary-General

  • The Deputy Secretary-General

  • The Founding President of SWAPO as a permanent member

  • 13 SWAPO Party Regional Coordinators

  • 54 members elected at the party congress

  • 10 members appointed by the party president

The current[update] members are:[20][21]


  • Hage Geingob (ex officio, SWAPO President)


  • Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah (ex officio, SWAPO Vice-President)


  • Sophia Shaningwa (ex officio, SWAPO Secretary-General)

  • Marco Hausiku (ex officio, SWAPO Deputy Secretary-General)


  • Sam Nujoma (ex officio SWAPO founding President)

  • Hifikepunye Pohamba (ex officio SWAPO former President)

Elected members:



  • Nahas Angula

  • Abraham Iyambo

  • Ben Amathila

  • Marco Hausiku

  • Nickey Iyambo

  • Jerry Ekandjo

  • John Mutorwa

  • Utoni Nujoma

  • Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila

  • Theo-Ben Gurirab

  • Libertine Amathila

  • Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah

  • Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana

  • Bernard Esau

  • Pohamba Shifeta

  • Richard Kamwi

  • Petrus Iilonga

  • Joel Kaapanda

  • Albert Kawana

  • David Namwandi

  • Isak Katali

  • Katrina Hanse-Himarwa

  • Erkki Nghimtina

  • Tjikero Tweya

  • Erastus Uutoni

  • Samuel Ankama

  • Margaret Mensah-Williams

  • Pohamba Mandume

  • Doreen Sioka

  • Kazenambo Kazenambo

  • Helmut Angula

  • Peya Mushelenga

  • Loide Kasingo

  • Alpheus ǃNaruseb

  • Peter Katjavivi

  • Leon Jooste

  • Asser Kapere

  • Charles Namoloh

  • Lempy Lucas

  • Veikko Nekundi

  • Hilma Nikanor

  • Lucia Witbooi

  • Penda Ya Ndakolo

  • Usko Nghaamwa

  • Immanuel Ngatjizeko

  • Eunice Iipinge

  • Elia Kaiyamo

  • Moses Amweelo

  • Sophia Shaningwa

  • Samuel Nuuyoma

  • Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun

  • Rosalia Nghidinwa

  • Clemens Kashuupulwa

  • Henock Ya Kasita

  • Uahekua Herunga

  • Willem Konjore


President-appointed members (2017):[18]



  • Calle Schlettwein

  • Erkki Nghimtina

  • Penda Ya Ndokolo

  • Christina Hoebes

  • Jennely Matundu

  • Collien Van Wyk



List of Presidents



  • Sam Nujoma, 1960 – 2007


  • Hifikepunye Pohamba, 2007 – 2015


  • Hage Geingob, 2015 – 2017 (acting), 2017 – present


Finances and business interests


Although SWAPO receives finances from government for its operations, the party also holds extensive business interests. Through Kalahari Holdings it entered into joint ventures with several companies, most prominently the Namibian branch of MultiChoice, a private satellite TV provider, of which it owns 51%. Kalahari Holdings has further joint ventures with Radio Energy, Africa Online, and businesses in the tourism, farming, security services and health insurance sectors. It owns Namib Contract Haulage, Namprint, Kudu investment, and the Ndilimani Cultural Troupe.[22]


Namibia Today is the mouthpiece of the SWAPO.[23] Its editor is Asser Ntinda. The paper does not appear to have been active since April 7, 2011.[24]



Alleged human rights abuses


Various groups have claimed that SWAPO committed serious human rights abuses against suspected spies during the independence struggle. Since the early 21st century, they have pressed the government more strongly on this issue. Breaking the Wall of Silence (BWS) is one of the groups founded by people who were detained by SWAPO during the war and abused during interrogations.[25][26] In 2004, BWS alleged that "In exile, hundreds of SWAPO dependants and members were detained, tortured and killed without trial."[27] SWAPO denies serious infractions and claims anything that did happen was in the name of liberation. Because of a series of successful South African raids, the SWAPO leadership believed that spies existed in the movement. Hundreds of SWAPO cadres were imprisoned, tortured and interrogated.[28]


In 2005 the P.E.A.C.E. Centre (People's Education, Assistance and Counselling for Empowerment) conducted an extensive study on the lives of Namibian ex-fighters and their families fifteen years after Independence. Their published ebook investigates the post-independence lives of those who fought on both sides of the Namibian War of Independence. Data from this research indicate that ex-fighters still[update] exhibit symptoms of long-term post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The findings indicate there is a correlation between the life circumstances of ex-fighters and their lack of resilience to traumatic war experiences. Resiliency has been linked to a number of protective factors, such as the socio-economic situation of the survivors, their socio-political environment, their social support networks, and their cognitive processes.[29]


The study says that, in the case of Namibian ex-fighters, long-term psychological distress is different from a simple PTSD diagnosis. The survivors have almost invariably gone for nearly two decades without seeking treatment, adding to their burdens. During this time, the ex-fighters have been exposed to additional social and psychological stressors through life events. For a person without PTSD, such stressors may have fleeting effects, but for a sufferer of long-term psychological distress, each life incident could reduce the survivor's resilience to trauma, as well as triggering "flashbacks" to events during the war.[29]



Memberships


SWAPO is a full member of the Socialist International.[30] It was a member of the Non-Aligned Movement before the independence of Namibia.



See also



  • People's Liberation Army of Namibia

  • Namibia African People's Democratic Organisation

  • Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola

  • South African Border War

  • South West Africa National Union

  • SWAPO for Justice

  • Andimba Toivo ya Toivo


References


Notes


  1. ^ Iileka, Sakeus (9 November 2017). "Politburo approves sweeping changes". The Namibian. p. 1. 


  2. ^ Tötemeyer, Gerhard (December 2007). "The Management of a Dominant Political Party system with particular reference to Namibia" (PDF). Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. Retrieved 9 June 2011. 


  3. ^ Dauth, Timothy (17 January 1995). "From Liberation Organisations to Ruling Parties: The ANC and SWAPO in Transition". NamNet Digest, Vol. 95, no. 3. Retrieved 9 June 2011. 


  4. ^ Seibeb, Henny (12 May 2017). "Social Movements, Party Politics And Democracy In Namibia". The Namibian. Retrieved 12 October 2017. 


  5. ^ "Populism on the rise as South Africa and Namibia gear up to elect new presidents". The Conversation. 25 May 2017. Retrieved 12 October 2017. 


  6. ^ Soiri, Iina (May 1996). "The Radical Motherhood: Namibian Women's Independence Struggle". Nordiska Afrikainstitutet Research Report, No 99. Retrieved 12 October 2017. 


  7. ^ Eerikäinen, Marjo (14 July 2008). "The South Africa Mandate 1915–1989". Vantaa. Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 15 March 2011. 


  8. ^ "Formation of the South African Republic". South Africa History Online. Retrieved 15 April 2011. 


  9. ^ "Namibia: Apartheid, resistance and repression (1945–1966)". Electoral Institute for the Sustainability of Democracy in Africa. August 2009. Archived from the original on 20 April 2011. Retrieved 15 April 2011. 


  10. ^ ab Matundu-Tjiparuro, Kae (19 April 2010). "The founder of Swapo". New Era. 


  11. ^ Google Books: A History of Resistance in Namibia,, Page 99, Peter H. Katjavivi, ISBN 0-86543-144-2


  12. ^ Country Profiles – Timeline: Namibia, BBC News –


  13. ^ Eriksen, Tore Linné. Norway and National Liberation in Southern Africa. p. 90. 


  14. ^ Düsing, Sandra (2002). Traditional Leadership and Democratisation in Southern Africa: A Comparative Study of Botswana, Namibia, and Southern Africa. Studien zur Politikwissenschaft. LIT Verlag Münster. pp. 125–126. ISBN 9783825850654. 


  15. ^ "NAMIBIA: Election expected to be low-key". IRIN. 2004. Retrieved 9 November 2007. 


  16. ^ "Elections in Namibia". Retrieved 7 February 2009. 


  17. ^ Immanuel, Shinovene; Shipanga, Selma (3 December 2012). "Moderates prevail". The Namibian. 


  18. ^ ab Nakale, Albertina (4 December 2017). "Swapo elects new politburo". New Era. p. 1. 


  19. ^ "Newly elected members of the Swapo Politburo". The Namibian. 12 December 2012. Archived from the original on 14 December 2012. 


  20. ^ Poolman, Jan. "New blood in Swapo CC". The Namibian. Retrieved 3 December 2012.  The offline version of the article contains the list of elected CC members.


  21. ^ "Matter of Fact". The Namibian. 4 December 2012.  |access-date= requires |url= (help) This erratum was only published offline.


  22. ^ Immanuel, Shinovene (29 November 2017). "Govt is Swapo's cash cow". The Namibian. p. 1. 


  23. ^ "SWAPO distances itself from mouthpiece's Kameeta attack" Archived 31 July 2003 at the Wayback Machine., The Namibian, 18 February 2003.


  24. ^ "Namibia Today Archive". SWAPOParty.org/. Retrieved 20 December 2016. 


  25. ^ "Church council's stance on detainees revives apartheid rhetoric, charges the NSHR", The Namibian, 18 November 2003


  26. ^ "Ex-detainee issue still runs deep", The Namibian, 4 October 2005


  27. ^ Gewald, Jan-Bart (September 2004). "Who Killed Clemens Kapuuo?" (PDF). Journal of Southern African Studies. 30 (3). doi:10.1080/0305707042000254100. ISSN 0305-7070. 


  28. ^ Leys, C.; S. Brown (2005). Histories of Namibia. London: Merlin Press. ISBN 0-85036-499-X. 


  29. ^ ab LeBeau, Debie (September 2005). "An Investigation into the lives of Namibian Ex-fighters fifteen years after Independence" (PDF). People's Education, Assistance and Counselling for Empowerment (P.E.A.C.E.). Retrieved 26 August 2011. 


  30. ^ List of Socialist International parties in Africa.



External links


  • Website of SWAPO

  • Website of the SWAPO Youth League


  • "Namibian Voters Deny Total Power to SWAPO," by Michael Johns, The Wall Street Journal, 19 November 1989.









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