SWAPO Archives - Jean-Jacques Cornish

Hamutenya’s death is a loss for Namibia says President Geingob

Jean-Jacques Cornish — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 22:00:00 +0000

Namibia’s President Hage Geingob says Hidipo Hamutenya’s death is a loss to his country because of his contribution to the liberation struggle and the country’s independence.

Geingob is in Pretoria where he will co-chair today’s bi-national commission with President Jacob Zuma.

It was President Hage Geingob who extended the live branch that brought Hidipo Hamutenya back to Swapo.

Hamutenya quit the ruling party in 2007 after losing a leadership tussle and being sacked as foreign minister.

He led the opposition Rally for Democracy and Progress before falling out them.

Hamutenya commended what he called new enlightened Swapo leadership under Geingob.

He’s credited with being the brains behind most of Swapo’s policy documents before independence, including the party’s constitution.

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AU thumbs up for Namiba’s election

Jean-Jacques Cornish — Sun, 30 Nov 2014 22:00:00 +0000

The region and the continent have given their seals of approval to Namibia’s elections held last Friday.
They commended the peaceful nature of the operation but both call on the Windhoek authorities to simplify the process that led to long delays.
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Heading the SADC observer mission in Namibia, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana Mashebane says despite the delays there was high voter turnout and Namibians should respect the outcome that gives SWAPO another mandate and puts Hage Geingob at the helm as president.
African Union mission head Fatuma Ndangiza gives the process the thumbs up but says it should be simplified. Operators of the electronic voting and security scanning systems – a first for Africa – must be better trained, she says.

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Namibia high court says vote!

Jean-Jacques Cornish — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 22:00:00 +0000

Africa’s first electronic ballot will take place in Namibia tomorrow.

South Africa’s Western neighbour will get a new president and have to meet quotas to put more women in government.

The high court in Windhoek dismissed a last-minute by by opposition parties to block the voting in Namibia on grounds that using the Indian-made e-voting machines could lead to vote rigging.

So 1.2 million eligible Namibians will proceed tomorrow voting for 96 members of the national assembly and selecting one of nine presidential candidates.

Current prime minister Hage Geingob is clear favourite to succeed Hifikepunya Pohamba, who’s run his constitutionally limited two terms at the helm.

Equally his SWAPO is expected to beat off rivals from left and right to retain the power its held since independence 24 years ago.

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Regional electoral spotlight falls on Namibia

Jean-Jacques Cornish — Sun, 26 Oct 2014 22:00:00 +0000

The regional electoral spotlight turns on Namibia after polls in Mozambique and Botswana saw victories for entrenched ruling parties.

As Jean-Jacques Cornish reports, there has been a change in the political landscape.

Voting on November 29, Namibians are expected to return SWAPO to power for a further five years.

This month’s elections to the east and west of South Africa saw Frelimo prevail in Mozambique and the Botswana Congress party hold off a resurgent opposition.

Mozambique has a new president, Felipe Nyusi. He and Frelimo won more than 60% of the popular vote. Former rebel movement Renamo retained the official opposition.

Botswana’s president Ian Khama won a second term. His Botswana Democratic Party has won at least 34 of the 57 parliamentary seats.

The Umbrella for Democratic Change has palmed 14 seats,

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