Also known as: SPYL
Swapo Party Youth League — ruling party's youth wing, experiencing internal leadership tensions in Kavango East and other regions over governance and constitutional procedures.
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Informanté
SPYL paid tribute to veteran liberation struggle activist Kanana Hishoono
“THE SWAPO Party Youth League (SPYL) has paid tribute to veteran liberation struggle activist and founding SWAPO member Kanana Hishoono, who passed away at the Ondangwa Private Hospital in the Oshana Region.”
SPYL mourns liberation struggle stalwart Kanana HishoonoNew Era
Swapo Party Youth League condemned acts of aggression against Venezuela including kidnapping of Maduro and his wife
“The SPYL condemned what it described as acts of aggression against Venezuela, including the "kidnapping" of Maduro and his wife.”
Namibia condemns Maduro’s ‘kidnapping’ …Trump threatens second waveThe Namibian
Swapo Party Youth League described Nujoma as a man committed to freedom, justice, and equality
“"One of my most cherished memories of Nujoma is his unwavering commitment to the principles of freedom, justice, and equality.”
Swapo Party Youth League describes Nujoma as ‘man of values’The Namibian
Swapo Party Youth League says political campaigns target electorate aged 18 and above, not children
“"The political campaigns we are busy with now are aimed at addressing the electorate, who, as per our Namibian Constitution, should be 18 years and above – not children," he says.”
Swapo defends youth involvement in politics amid concerns of child exploitation at campaign ralliesThe Namibian
Swapo Party Youth League plans to have manifesto translated into natural languages including Braille
“Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) secretary Ephraim Nekongo says his party plans to have its manifesto translated into natural languages, including Braille.”
Disability advocates urge political parties to prioritise needs ahead of November electionsThe Namibian
Swapo Party Youth League does not support the recognition of the LGBTQI+ community
“Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) spokesperson Moses Shikerete says the party does not support the recognition of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and others (LGBTQI+) community.”
Political parties disregard LGBTQI+ rights ahead of November electionsDivisions within the Swapo Party Youth League in Kavango East have escalated after regional mobiliser Bibiana Shapi rejected her suspension and made accusations against leadership.
5 June 2026 · Namibian Sun →
Divisions within the Swapo Party Youth League in Kavango East have escalated after regional mobiliser Bibiana Shapi rejected her suspension and made accusations against leadership.
5 June 2026 · Namibian Sun →
The SWAPO Party Youth League regional executive committee in Kavango East suspended regional secretary Bibiana Shapi pending investigation into allegations that she undermined the committee's authority and unity by participating in efforts to remove elected members. Shapi rejected the suspension as unconstitutional and politically motivated, amid preparations for an extraordinary regional conference to fill a vacant position.
4 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has ordered a forensic investigation into Gendev Fishing Resources and its sister company amid allegations of missing millions, lack of transparency, and failure to deliver fish worth over N$49 million to clients.
25 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Prime minister Elijah Ngurare publicly supports president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah serving a second term, arguing that previous elected presidents served more than one term and that premature succession debates distract from government service delivery. Swapo's elective congress to choose a presidential candidate for the 2029 elections is expected next year.
20 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Oshana governor Hofni Iipinge has warned Swapo members against tribalism and factionalism during an internal party conference, urging delegates to prioritise unity above personal ambitions and to avoid divisive political competition driven by insults and character assassination.
11 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Swapo Party Youth League member Erna Kambalantu was declared Oshana youth league secretary after contender Oshotuli Ngolo was disqualified for reportedly not meeting election requirements. Ngolo disputed the decision, saying she was only informed on the day of the election and claimed she had previously submitted all required documents.
10 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Swapo parliamentarian and former Otjozondhupa governor James Uerikua died aged 43 in a car accident on Friday, along with one of his sons. President Nandi-Ndaitwah described him as a "young and promising leader" whose loss comes at a time when the country needs clarity and commitment on complex challenges.
8 April 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has appointed several new officials to ministerial and deputy ministerial positions, including Charles Mubita as minister in the Presidency, Hambeleleni Ndjaleka as deputy minister of health and social services, and others to various portfolio positions across government departments.
7 April 2026 · The Namibian →
The Swapo Party Youth League has issued a tribute to Swapo parliamentarian James Uerikua, describing his legacy as extending beyond leadership to his dedication to development and the upliftment of young people, saying his impact will be felt for generations.
4 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Governor Hofni Alugodhi Iipinge, appointed eight months ago, is pursuing action-oriented leadership in Oshana focused on agriculture, education, and youth employment through grassroots engagement and consultation with communities and traditional leaders. His priorities include a 10-hectare agricultural project to employ young people, improving school infrastructure and performance, and implementing government programmes through ongoing decentralisation efforts.
30 March 2026 · New Era →
Namibia's 36th Independence celebrations have been decentralised across all 14 regions for the first time, expanding inclusivity beyond the previously centralised model. However, this year's approach carries political undertones, as many regional keynote speakers are perceived as potential contenders in the 2027 Swapo Party Elective Congress, raising questions about whether national commemorations are being repurposed as platforms for political positioning.
20 March 2026 · New Era →
As Namibia approaches 36 years of independence, young people and political leaders acknowledge notable strides in education access, infrastructure, rural electrification, and economic opportunities since 1990, while noting that unemployment and inequality remain pressing challenges requiring urgent attention.
20 March 2026 · New Era →
As Namibia marks 36 years of independence, citizens including academics and community voices are urging the country not to take its hard-won freedom and democratic stability for granted, while highlighting ongoing challenges such as youth unemployment, healthcare gaps, and water scarcity in rural areas that require urgent government attention.
20 March 2026 · New Era →
Namibian youth were central to the independence struggle, but veterans and contemporary activists argue that economic emancipation remains incomplete. Today's youth movements have shifted from political freedom to addressing unemployment, social inequality, and demanding accountability for change.
20 March 2026 · New Era →
Some Swapo members holding full-time government positions as councillors, governors and ministers are allegedly refusing to vacate their party leadership posts, defying a February directive by party secretary general Sophia Shaningwa requiring them to step down to prevent leadership vacuums and operational paralysis. Those refusing include Khomas governor Sam Nujoma (SPYL regional coordinator), Emma Muteka (SPYL district secretary), and Minister Indileni Daniel (party women's council coordinator), though some members have complied with the order.
18 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Swapo Party Youth League secretary Ephraim Nekongo says discussions about leadership succession ahead of the party's 2027 congress are premature, as the party is still completing internal renewal processes at grassroots level before national leadership decisions are made.
13 March 2026 · New Era →
Swapo Party Youth League secretary general Ephraim Nekongo has called on National Unity Democratic Organisation parliamentarian Vetaruhe Kandorozu to apologize and withdraw comments made to education deputy minister Dino Ballotti during National Assembly proceedings, citing the need for respectful parliamentary conduct and saying personal attacks undermine the Namibian Constitution.
7 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Minister of works and transport Veikko Nekundi has said he will not contest for the Swapo secretary general position or any of the party's top four posts at the 2027 party congress. The announcement comes amid speculation about potential candidates for the party's leadership race, including Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare and SPYL leader Ephraim Nekongo.
5 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Elifas Dingara, a Swapo lawmaker with a 15-year parliamentary career, has announced his resignation from the National Assembly effective end of month to focus on farming in Kavango East. He said his departure aims to allow his successor Christine Haindaka to serve nearly a full term and build institutional knowledge, describing it as deliberate succession planning rather than leaving the next generation to fight for opportunity.
25 February 2026 · New Era →
Matheus David John Pandeni constituency councillor John Mwoonde says his leadership focuses on uniting communities, expanding economic participation, and addressing social challenges including unemployment, urban hunger, and substance abuse. Since taking office, he has implemented infrastructure upgrades, educational support, funded income-generating projects, and rolled out wellness and socio-economic programmes for residents.
2 February 2026 · New Era →
Acting National Youth Council executive chairperson Patience Masua says she does not set her own salary, responding to backlash over her reported N$100,000 monthly remuneration for three months. Youth leaders, including the National Council of Students president and Popular Democratic Movement Youth League spokesperson, have criticized the amount as disproportionate given the council's limited financial support to affiliate organizations.
23 January 2026 · The Namibian →
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has honoured the late Kanana Hishoono, an 89-year-old liberation struggle veteran and former Secretary of the Swapo Party Elders' Council, describing him as one of Namibia's most cherished icons and a source of wisdom. Hishoono will receive a State funeral on Saturday in Eenhana, with a State memorial service held in his honour.
21 January 2026 · New Era →
The National Youth Council's repeated leadership resignations and turnover prevent it from serving its core mandate to represent young Namibians. The author argues that institutional stability, tolerance of diversity, and prioritizing mandate over ego are essential to break the cycle of instability and deliver on programmes for youth.
21 January 2026 · The Namibian →
The SWAPO Party Youth League has paid tribute to veteran liberation activist and founding SWAPO member Kanana Hishoono, who died at Ondangwa Private Hospital in the Oshana Region. Hishoono was described as a fearless freedom fighter and foundational pillar of SWAPO who served as the party's first branch secretary in Tsumeb and later as secretary of the SWAPO Party Elders' Council, and played a historic role in recruiting the late President Hage Geingob as a party member in 1962.
15 January 2026 · Informanté →
Re-elected Katima Mulilo Urban constituency councillor Keneddy Simasiku has pledged to focus on basic service delivery including water, electricity and sewer infrastructure, youth empowerment through national initiatives, and stakeholder collaboration. He highlighted ongoing electrification projects in several areas and water/sewer provision in Dairy, Nova and Makaravan West, while emphasizing the need for resident cooperation in development processes.
13 January 2026 · New Era →
Namibia's Ministry of International Relations and Trade, alongside political parties, condemned the United States' military strike against Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, citing violations of international law and national sovereignty. The government reaffirmed solidarity with Venezuela based on shared anti-colonial history, though some opposition figures questioned the framing while still opposing unilateral military intervention.
6 January 2026 · New Era →