WINDHOEK: Former President Dr Sam Nujoma has called on the Swapo-Party Youth League (SPYL) to strive towards self-sustainability by engaging in profitable and honest business activities.
Nujoma said the Swapo Party has successfully liberated the Namibian people and the country from the yoke of colonialism, with the participation and support of many young Namibians.
He was speaking during a SPYL fundraising gala dinner on Wednesday evening in the capital, ahead of the Fifth National SPYL Congress scheduled to take place towards the end of this month.
The Father of the Namibian Nation then called on the youth to be at the forefront of the country’s struggle for economic independence.
“It is time that we, as a motherbody and its wings, strive towards self-sustainability through engagement in profitable and honest business activities,” he noted.
Nujoma said they have a long way to go to reach acceptable levels of sustainability within their organisation and wings.
“We should start to realise that any political organisation can only be sustained by its members – individually and collectively – through their business ventures,” he added.
He then called on SPYL members and those of the motherbody, Swapo, to support the wing’s fundraising initiatives by generously ploughing back into the party and its wings to ensure the continuity of their activities.
“Through generosity and support, you will ensure the future existence of the Swapo Party as the only governing party in Namibia that shall continue to secure peace and stability, and provide a conducive environment for your businesses to operate and flourish in,” he stated.
Nujoma, on behalf of his family, then donated N.dollars 5 000, while his son, Utoni Nujoma, also donated a similar amount.
Several other individuals and companies also made contributions through pledges.
Swapo-Party Secretary-General Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana and several other Members of Parliament and captains of industry attended the gala dinner.
Miss Namibia 2012, Tsakana Nkandih, also graced the event, while Namibia’s celebrity housemate in the 2012 Big Brother StarGame, Martha Namundjebo, or Lady May as she is better known, surprised the attendees when she entered the venue clad in a little black dress and a Swapo scarf around her neck.
Accompanied by prominent business personality Hilda Basson-Namundjebo, Lady May, one arm raised and fist clenched, was received with cheers by the crowd that filled the venue to capacity.
The Ndilimani Cultural Troupe was also on hand, singing their trademark Swapo-Party revolutionary songs.
Meanwhile, Lady May managed to stay in the Big Brother house for the full 91 days of the show, and was one of the last three housemates – the only woman – left during Sunday’s grand finale, along with Prezzo (Jackson Makini) from Kenya and South Africa’s Keagan Petersen, who eventually won the reality television show.