Former Swapo youth league leader announces new party

WINDHOEK: A former leader in the Swapo Party Youth League as well as the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), Sakaria Kandenge, has announced the formation of a new political organisation named Team Progress Namibia (TPNA).

Kandenge, who resigned from the IPC in 2023 and finished second in the IPC’s presidential candidature polls in 2022, spoke with Nampa on Monday about TPNA and its electoral framework for 2024.

According to him, the TPNA will join an alliance supporting independent presidential candidate Ally Angula for the elections slated for November 2024.

Kandenge stated that TPNA’s manifesto includes several key elements, indicating that the organisation is referred to as a civic organisation, with the acronym TPNA.

He listed TPNA’s aims and objectives as promoting free and fair political participation, protecting fundamental rights, and ensuring good governance based on legitimacy, direction, performance, fairness, and accountability.

‘The organisation seeks to foster unity, peaceful coexistenc
e, and political stability in Namibia. It also aims to develop a viable economic policy to ensure steady growth in human capital, trade, production, distribution, and exchange,’ he said.

He noted that the organisational structure of TPNA includes national, regional, and constituency levels, as well as various committees and working groups.

‘The national convention, national executive committee, national board of trustees, national caucus, and other organs will oversee the organisation’s operations. The president of TPNA holds significant authority, including appointing national and regional leaders, calling meetings, and intervening in critical operations,’ he said.

He added that TPNA further aims to create a unique and strategic example for Namibia, promote constitutional democracy and the rule of law, and foster good relations with neighbouring nations and international bodies such as the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Union (AU), the Commonwealth, and the United Nations.

‘Th
e organisation seeks to uplift and emancipate all people, encouraging representation and respecting the linguistic, cultural, and religious diversity of its members,’ Kandenge said.

So far, the alliance has consisted of four parties and civic organisations campaigning for a government of national unity. The United People’s Movement, Kingdom of God Party, National Empowerment Fighting Corruption, Namibian Youth Power, and KG Namibia have all expressed support for Ally Angula’s candidature.

Source : The Namibia News Agency