Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Eliaser Ndeyanale
Published on 2024-04-08 09:35:53
Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) leader Panduleni Itula has been facing criticism from some Swapo leaders who accuse his party of being led by imperialist agents. This accusation stems from Itula’s educational background, having studied in the United Kingdom (UK).
Addressing supporters at an IPC rally in Oshakati, Itula pointed out that while Swapo leaders criticize him for his UK education, many of them have also studied in Western countries such as the UK and the United States (US). He challenged anyone to find a single leader in Swapo who did not receive a Western education.
Itula highlighted examples of prominent Swapo leaders who obtained their education in Western countries. He mentioned that late president Hage Geingob and current president Nangolo Mbumba both studied in the US. Additionally, Chief Justice Peter Shivute, Judge President Petrus Damaseb, Speaker of the National Assembly Peter Katjavivi, and Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security Albert Kawana all studied in the UK.
Drawing from his own experience, Itula shared that he was the leader of Swapo students in the UK from 1981 to 1988. He emphasized the irony in Swapo leaders criticizing him for his Western education while they themselves had similar educational backgrounds. Itula questioned why the same leaders who studied in imperialist countries were not labeled as imperialists themselves.
Itula also raised a critical point about the relationship between the Swapo government and Western powers. He questioned why Swapo leaders, who claim to oppose imperialism, allowed the construction of the biggest embassy in Namibia by the US. This raised questions about the ideological stance of Swapo leaders and their actions when it came to foreign relations.
The accusations against IPC by Swapo leaders highlight the political tensions and rivalries present in Namibian politics. Itula’s response during the rally aimed to challenge the hypocrisy and contradictions within Swapo leadership, particularly regarding their education and foreign relations policies.
The rally served as a platform for Itula to defend himself and his party against the accusations of being led by imperialist agents. It also allowed him to highlight the educational backgrounds of Swapo leaders and question their actions in relation to Western influence in Namibia.
The discourse between IPC and Swapo demonstrates the complexities of political narratives and perceptions in Namibia. Itula’s criticisms and challenges to Swapo leaders’ accusations may influence public opinion and shape the political landscape in the country.
Read the original article on The Namibian
