WINDHOEK: Secretary-General (SG) of the Swapo Party Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana says her party’s first-ever National Policy Conference represents progressive thinking in its approach to economic development and service delivery.

Iivula-Ithana made the statement during the official opening of the four-day conference, which commenced in the capital here on Monday.

“In order to facilitate and stimulate discussions, a number of papers were prepared by the Swapo Think Tank on some of the most critical issues facing our nation on challenges such as the provision of clean water, energy, health care, education and economic empowerment,” Iivula-Ithana said.

Born out of the 2007 Party Congress, the Think Tank comprises close to 46 skilled and intellectual cadres who offered their expertise in policy formulation.

The Think Tank conducts research in political, economic and technology fields, and advises on national development.

“The policy conference will enable members from the sections to the highest levels of the party to access challenges facing the party, as well as determine new policies where appropriate,” the SG said.

The conference will also look at the acceleration of policy implementation where appropriate.

“Holding in our minds the promise of a better day for our people, it was thought prudent to discuss policy issues of great national interest as the majority of the people were enslaved and economically exploited by the colonial policies that have been in place for more than a century,” Iivula-Ithana added.

She stated that the party has consistently asserted that if political independence is not accompanied by economic transformation then it does not meet the expectations of those who were politically and economically subjugated.

The opening of the policy conference was attended by icons of the liberation struggle such as Founding Father of the Namibian Nation Sam Nujoma, Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo, Mze Kaukungwa, Victor Ndadi and Kanana Hishoono.