Secretary of the Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) Ephraim Nekongo said the ruling Swapo Party will not take part in presidential debates.
Nekongo made the remarks during the Youth in Conversation Dialogue with the Vice President and presidential candidate of the Swapo Party, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah at Rundu Friday night.
In May this year, The Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) organised a presidential debate to allow the public to engage and hear from presidential candidates before the upcoming general elections in November.
Presidential debates enable presidential candidates to prove their fitness for office in addressing issues the country and its citizens face, such as youth unemployment, corruption, inequalities, regional and national level development and the redistribution of land and resources, among many.
They also allow voters to witness candidates’ performances beyond prepared scripts, including assessing their responses to challenging questions.
Local media reported that only three political parti
es and two presidential candidates took part in the debate.
‘There are people that continue to call our party leadership to apparently go and take part in presidential debates. Even if I’m not sanctioned, the Swapo Party will never take part in those debates,’ Nekongo said.
He said the Swapo Party is a mass based political party with its own structure and own way of doing things.
‘Those that are interested in our platforms must join live shows or broadcasts like this one,’ he said.
The SPYL secretary maintained that the party will never take part in any platform that is not a Swapo platform.
‘We are capable and we have the capacity to talk to our people,’ he stated.
He said if there’s something the party can be commended for, it’s its undeniable character of listening to its people.
Meanwhile, Nekongo said he has no doubt that Nandi-Ndaitwah will work tirelessly with her leadership to solve many of the problems facing the youth.
He said he is also confident that Nandi-Ndaitwah who has lived the test o
f time will provide valuable guidance and profound wisdom to the youth once elected as president of the country.
On his part Kavango East SPYL secretary Anselm Marungu said the youth engaging Nandi-Ndaitwah was of profound significance as it symbolises the bridge between generations fostering mutual understanding, respect and collaboration.
‘The youth dialogue is more than just a conversation but a clear testament to their commitment of inclusivity and democratic engagement. Nandi-Ndaitwah’s presence here today is a demonstration of her commitment to the youth of the country,’ he said.
The event was attended by Deputy Prime Minister John Mutorwa, Swapo Secretary General Sophia Shaningwa, various ministers and deputy ministers, among others.
Source: The Namibia Press Agency