All systems go for Nudo congress as bigwigs battle for top positions


WINDHOEK: The National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo) will hold its long-awaited congress at the Ramatex Centre in Windhoek this weekend.

Among the expected outcomes of the two-day congress is the selection of a new executive to oversee the organisation for the next five years. It is also expected that several top party figures will battle for the presidential and secretary-general positions, seeking to succeed incumbent president Dr Utjiua Muinjangue and current party secretary-general Joseph Kauandenge, both of whom announced two months ago that they would not seek re-election.

Vetaruhe Kandorozu, a former Okakarara constituency councillor, is expected to compete for the party’s top position of president, alongside Aminuis constituency councillor and incumbent party vice-president Peter Kazongominja, as well as Windhoek deputy mayor Joseph Uaraa Uapingene.

Nudo’s secretary general, Joseph Kauandenge, revealed to Nampa on Tuesday that the opposition party will meet this weekend, 13-14 July 2024, to
decide who will be on the list for critical party positions.

Kauandenge in an interview stated that Nudo is ready and that all preparations for the congress are proceeding smoothly.

‘We have put all systems in place to have a good congress regarding delegates’ preparedness, logistics, and so on. It’s all systems go,’ Kauandenge said.

All positions will be up for grabs, including the top nine positions of president, vice president, national chairperson, deputy national chairperson, secretary general, deputy secretary general, finance secretary and two deputies.

Despite not confirming the names of those running for various positions, except those who have already declared themselves for the president position, Kauandenge maintained that Nudo does not go to Congress with vetted candidate names as nominations come directly from the floor.

‘This means that a person can express his or her willingness to run for the president position, but on the day of the congress he or she might be nominated for any other po
sition than the president position,’ he explained.

However, the fundamental vetting has been completed to ensure that all congress delegates are legitimate Nudo members and not pretenders.

Additionally, Kauandenge urged party members to be patriots, putting the party’s interests ahead of their own while avoiding disruptions that could exacerbate internal party differences. About 500 delegates will attend the congress.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency