OSHAKATI MERJA IILEKA
Northern businesses owned by Swapo supporters are being mobilised to demonstrate against recent Rally for the Democracy and Progress (RDP) comments that it would remove statues of founding president Sam Nujoma if it wins next year's elections.
A group, led by businessman Sigo Amunyela, was initially expected to have a media briefing on Friday afternoon, where a statement criticising the opposition party for its “irresponsible comments” was to have been read.
The meeting was eventually postponed to Sunday afternoon, after a large number of Swapo-aligned business people - from mainly Oshakati and Ondangwa - could not make it to the media briefing.
On Sunday, however, it was yet again decided that the media briefing would be postponed to tomorrow after a number of businessmen who attended felt the crowd present was not big enough to demonstrate.
“We want everyone involved, from children to mothers to the business community, so that (RDP secretary-general Jesaya) Nyamu gets the message that you do not mess with a national hero like founding father Sam Nujoma,” said businessman Veikko Haimbodi.
Haimbodi was making reference to comments by Nyamu that should his party secure a majority in future elections - starting next year - they would break down Nujoma statues and stop naming and renaming streets after the former president.
Among the statues which would be targeted is one of Nujoma that was recently unveiled during this year's Heroes' Day commemoration at Ongulumbashe on August 26 in the Omusati Region.
“We don't want him (Nyamu) to see a few faces on camera and get ideas that others condone what he said. We want him to know that people are very angry,” Haimbodi told those gathered under a tree at Swapo's Oshana Regional Headquarters.
Others present agreed with Haimbodi and it was decided that this week would be used to mobilise members. An official statement would also be developed with the input of prominent business personalities and would be read tomorrow.