Maria David
SWAPO Party Youth League (SPYL) Secretary Ephraim Nekongo and his deputy Christine Haindaka retained their positions at the just concluded congress at Ongwediva.
The two were endorsed by the delegates Saturday evening after the event’s presiding officer rejected the candidacy of Nekongo’s potential opponent, Willem Amutenya.
Amutenya addressed urgent letters of complaint to the mother body’s Central Committee and Political Bureau, but did not receive the assistance he wanted.
The three-day congress was marred by serious disagreements that, at times, transformed the event into a chaotic affair that led to a short-lived walkout of Khomas region delegates.
The voting for the new SPYL central committee members only started during the early morning hours of Sunday and lasted about four hours.
Nekongo and his deputy Haindaka will head the league for the next five years.
Salomo Paulus, an elections observer from the Otjozondjupa Region, described the election as fair, transparency and credible.
“We didn’t encounter any irregularities,” he said.
However, one person was disqualified after being caught with a voting list.
There were eight spoilt ballots.
In his acceptance speech, Nekongo called for unity among the youth and expressed strong criticism of top party leaders who, according to him, are no longer interested in the SPYL.
He cautioned the youth to beware of political battles between those wanting to use the youth for their own personal gain.
“Leave us alone in your fights. Fight your own battles and don’t make use of us in your fights,” he said.
Nekongo also stressed that those who need to be voted into leadership of the party should just go to the congress and get elected.
Nekongo then reiterated his commitment and dedication to lead the youth into the right direction.
Meanwhile, 30 people were elected to the SPYL central committee.
They include Amutenya who was denied the opportunity to challenge Nekongo.
Iyaloo Shivute received the highest number of votes (313 votes) on the female list, while Moses Sikerete topped the males list with 337 votes.
Amutenya is among the 30 people elected for Central Committee.
The newly elected leadership will steer the wheel of SPYL till 2027.
