The seventh Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) congress, which was officially opened by President Hage Geingob on Thursday, is underway at Ongwediva in the Oshana Region.
President Geingob in his remarks extended his “revolutionary greetings” to all youth league members gathered at the congress, which is being held to elect the top leadership of the SPYL that will serve for the next five years, including for the positions of SPYL secretary, deputy secretary, information secretary and treasurer, amongst others.
Serving SPYL secretary, Ephraim Nekongo has indicated interest in standing for his position.
Geingob urged the youth league leaders at the congress to deliberate in the next three days and elect a youth leadership that is qualified, committed, patriotic and hardworking in order to deliver on the goals of the Swapo manifesto.
“Being young alone is not sufficient enough criteria for you to want to lead, as Swapo and the Namibian people want the best youth who are patriotic, competent and committed to becoming catalysts for economic progress,” he said.
Geingob also wants the youth league members at the congress to elect candidates who are passionate, proud Namibians and honest agents of change for the transformation of the economy and society.
Geingob, who is also the Swapo Party president, said the SPYL is an embryo through which young revolutionaries are groomed, and those to be tasked with carrying out the agendas of Swapo should emerge from the ranks of this vibrant and militant wing.
“The new SPYL leadership should become the vanguard of Namibia’s economic development with the knowledge and culture of Swapo, and should hold ethos of solidarity, freedom and justice as now more than ever, vigilance is required to ensure that our youth remain steadfast embracing the spirit of resilience, perseverance and patriotism,” he said.
Geingob said the time has come for genuine and committed youth cadres to prove themselves in the fire of current challenges and emerge as leaders of the second phase of the struggle for economic liberation.
The congress ends on Saturday.
Source: The Namibian Press Agency
