Windhoek: A three-day leadership training workshop for the Central Committee members of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) started at Otjiwarongo in the Otjozondjupa Region on Tuesday. Party secretary-general Manuel Ngaringombe officially opened the workshop, emphasizing the necessity of this training after the party lost 11 seats in Parliament during the Presidential and National Assembly elections of 2024.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Ngaringombe expressed that the party is currently in a mourning stage due to the significant loss, as they went from having 16 seats to just 5. He stressed the importance of the Central Committee members coming together to transition from mourning to recovery. He also highlighted the need for PDM to maintain its relevance in Namibian politics by positioning itself as the alternative ruling party, which requires urgent change management and transformational leadership.

Ngaringombe encouraged the participation of all Central Committee members and regional coordinators from various regions, including Zambezi, the northern regions, Otjozondjupa, Kunene, Erongo, Omaheke, //Kharas, and Khomas. He urged them to share innovative ideas aligned with the ideologies of PDM, with the aim of regaining strength in the upcoming Regional and Local Authority elections in November 2025.

He called for unity among party members, urging them to focus on building true political leaders and gaining the trust of voters, rather than engaging in internal conflicts for personal gain. Ngaringombe emphasized the goal of having capable constituency councillors, mayors, and management committee members from the PDM by November.

The workshop is also serving as a planning platform to set the aims and objectives of the party for the forthcoming elections. Key attendees include deputy secretary-general Tobias Linus, treasurer-general Nico Smit, and secretary for international affairs Geofrey Mwilima. The event is facilitated by Barney Karuombe and will conclude on Thursday.