Plácido Hilukilwa
SWAPO Party Secretary-General, Sophia Shaningwa, and Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs, Frans Kapofi, have responded positively to the request made by the Veterans of the National Liberation Struggle for an audience.
In a written response to the Veterans’ meeting request, Shaningwa sent a letter to group leader Gebhard Didalelwa Hangula, informing him that she and Kapofi have agreed to meet with the former combatants on the 30th of this month. The meeting will take place in the Oshana Region, as requested by the Veterans themselves, although the exact venue has not been disclosed.
The veterans, who fought in a war that concluded 34 years ago, are showing increasing levels of activity. They are not only demanding additional benefits but are also becoming involved in active politics. This can be attributed to the fact that most of them have now retired from the public service, freeing them from the rules that, for instance, restrict members of the police and defence force from engaging in party politics.
