WINDHOEK: Leader of the official opposition, McHenry Venaani, has announced that he will be running for the presidency of his Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) for the final time before retiring from politics.

The main opposition political party is scheduled to hold its elective congress in Katima Mulilo from 22 to 24 August to elect new leadership for the next five years.

Venaani, who has been leading the party for the past 10 years, said on Monday that he is available for re-election. He expressed his desire to lead the movement in the upcoming general elections in November 2024.

‘This is my last term if you have to ask me. The constitution of PDM has given any leader the opportunity to run for three consecutive terms. I am going to avail myself for my last term to start preparing for my successor. And those who know me, I am also preparing myself to retire. I am mentally preparing my assets, moving my assets in such a way that I will be able to retire comfortably,’ he said during a media briefing in Win
dhoek.

The 46-year-old Venaani is one of the most experienced opposition politicians in Namibia.

He joined the National Assembly at the age of 25 and took over the PDM presidency in 2013 from his predecessor, Katutire Kaura.

Kaura later joined the ruling Swapo Party before passing away in 2022.

However, Venaani made it clear that he is not retiring to join another party.

‘In fact, I want to say to you that I will be the first president of this party to retire and not join another party. I don’t want to join another party. I believe in this party. I came into this party as a boy… 18 years as a central committee member. I rose through the ranks, becoming secretary-general, secretary for information, and the youngest president at 36. So I have a good record, something to fall back on,’ said Venaani.

As party members are campaigning for positions ahead of the congress, Venaani cautioned against disunity.

‘One thing I shall not compromise is the unity of the organisation. Individual ambition should not supe
rsede collective unity. As we campaign one another – no derogatory statements about each other,’ he cautioned.

Source: The Namibia News Agency