Swapo secretary general Shaningwa defends presidential candidate Nandi-Ndaitwah amid health speculation

SWAPO secretary general Sophia Shaningwa has warned “witches” to leave the party’s presidential candidate, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, alone.

Shaningwa was speaking at a Swapo rally at Otjiwarongo over the weeked.

This follows speculation that Nandi-Ndaitwah fainted at the rally before addressing the audience.

“I want to tell you witches that it must stop here; it must come to an end. Leave the presidential candidate alone.
“Leave the servant who is chosen by God and by men,” Shaningwa said.

She said an individual predicted that Nandi-Ndaitwah would fall sick at Otjiwarongo.

“Stop it with immediate effect. It must be the last time I am hearing this,” she said.

Meanwhile, Swapo deputy secretary general Uahekua Herunga yesterday said Nandi-Ndaitwah is in good health.

“Our candidate is not sick. She is in excellent health and good spirits. You have seen on your television that she addressed the rally at Otjiwarongo,” he said.

He said “news mongers” are fabricating stories about Nandi-Ndaitwah’s health.

Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah says if it is true that Nandi-Ndaitwah collapsed, he wishes her a quick recovery.
“Health is not something one would want to politicise,” he says.

Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda on social media blamed the incident on Swapo “opportunists” making the vice president attend events frequently.

“They are parading a 72-year-old grandmother every second day, making her walk around stadiums, making her dance, while exposed to loud music in her 72-year-old ears, and requiring her to shout slogans and deliver speeches, while standing for more than an hour,” he wrote.

“For their stomach and opportunity to steal from an unsuspecting grandmother, they are willing to even sacrifice her.

If they can sacrifice their own 72-year-old leader for personal benefit, how about the country?” he asked.