South West African National Union
Encyclopedia
The South West Africa National Union (SWANU) is the oldest political party
in Namibia
, formed in 1959. The most of its members came from the Herero people, while fellow independence movement SWAPO was mostly an Ovambo party. The party's President is Usutuaije Maamberua
.
The first President of SWANU was Fanuel Kozonguizi
, who led from its formation in 1959 until 1966. Rihupisa Justus Kandando
was the President prior to Maamberua.
For 1999 elections it formed a “Socialist Alliance” with the Workers’ Revolutionary Party and got 0.35% of the vote.
In the 2004 elections
it finished last with 3,610 votes and 0.44% of the vote.
Socialist and Nationalist party.
In January 2009, SWANU condemned Israel
for their actions during the 2008–2009 Israel–Gaza conflict
. Calling for an immediate ceasefire and withdrawal from the Palestinian territories
, the party called for the severing of Namibian trade and diplomatic relations with Israel
.
On the issue of land reform
, SWANU advocated for state intervention in order to bring about reform quicker. It also criticized the Ministry of Lands and Resettlement for allegedly resettling politicians on land acquired for redistribution instead of the 'poorest of the poor'. It also called for greater political will for land reform.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in Namibia
Namibia
Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia , is a country in southern Africa whose western border is the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders with Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and east. It gained independence from South Africa on 21 March...
, formed in 1959. The most of its members came from the Herero people, while fellow independence movement SWAPO was mostly an Ovambo party. The party's President is Usutuaije Maamberua
Usutuaije Maamberua
Usutuaije Maamberua is a Namibian politician and accountant. Maamberua is the head of the South West Africa National Union and was elected to the National Assembly of Namibia in the 2009 general election...
.
The first President of SWANU was Fanuel Kozonguizi
Fanuel Kozonguizi
Fanuel Jariretundu Kozonguizi was a Namibian politician, activist, lawyer and ombudsman. A leading member of the South West African National Union-Biography:...
, who led from its formation in 1959 until 1966. Rihupisa Justus Kandando
Rihupisa Justus Kandando
Rihupisa Justus Kandando is a Namibian politician. A member of the South West African National Union , Kandando was the party's leader from 1998 until he was replaced by Usutuaije Maamberua.-References:...
was the President prior to Maamberua.
For 1999 elections it formed a “Socialist Alliance” with the Workers’ Revolutionary Party and got 0.35% of the vote.
In the 2004 elections
Namibian parliamentary election, 2004
General elections were held in Namibia on 15 and 16 November 2004 to elect the President and National Assembly. The National Assembly election resulted in a landslide win for SWAPO, which won 55 of the 78 seats with over 75% of the vote. SWAPO's candidate for president, Hifikepunye Pohamba, won the...
it finished last with 3,610 votes and 0.44% of the vote.
Policies
SWANU continues to be a radicalRadicalization
Radicalization is the process in which an individual changes from passiveness or activism to become more revolutionary, militant or extremist. Radicalization is often associated with youth, adversity, alienation, social exclusion, poverty, or the perception of injustice to self or others.-...
Socialist and Nationalist party.
In January 2009, SWANU condemned Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
for their actions during the 2008–2009 Israel–Gaza conflict
2008–2009 Israel–Gaza conflict
The Gaza War, known as Operation Cast Lead in Israel and as the Gaza Massacre in the Arab world, was a three-week bombing and invasion of the Gaza Strip by Israel, and hundreds of rocket attacks on south of Israel which...
. Calling for an immediate ceasefire and withdrawal from the Palestinian territories
Palestinian territories
The Palestinian territories comprise the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Since the Palestinian Declaration of Independence in 1988, the region is today recognized by three-quarters of the world's countries as the State of Palestine or simply Palestine, although this status is not recognized by the...
, the party called for the severing of Namibian trade and diplomatic relations with Israel
Israel–Namibia relations
Israel–Namibia relations refers to the current and historical relationship between Israel and Namibia. Governmental relations were established in 1994, four years after Namibia gained independence from South Africa. Israel's ambassador to Namibia, Dov Segev-Steinberg, resides in South Africa...
.
On the issue of land reform
Land reform in Namibia
Land reform is an important political and economic topic in Namibia. It consists of two different strategies: resettlement, and transfer of commercially viable agricultural land. Resettlement is aimed at improving the lives of displaced or dispossessed previously disadvantaged Namibians...
, SWANU advocated for state intervention in order to bring about reform quicker. It also criticized the Ministry of Lands and Resettlement for allegedly resettling politicians on land acquired for redistribution instead of the 'poorest of the poor'. It also called for greater political will for land reform.
See also
- History of NamibiaHistory of NamibiaThe history of Namibia has passed through several distinct stages from being colonised in the late nineteenth century to Namibia's independence on 21 March 1990....
- Namibian War of IndependenceNamibian War of IndependenceSee also South African Border War.The Namibian War of Independence, also known as the South African Border War, which lasted from 1966 to 1988, was a guerrilla war, which the nationalist South-West Africa People's Organization and others, fought against the apartheid government in South...
- South West Africa People's Organization