SWAPO

{{Short description|Political party in Namibia}} {{EngvarB|date=September 2025}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2025}} {{Infobox political party | name = SWAPO Party of Namibia {{small|South West Africa People's Organisation}} | native_name = | logo = Logo of the SWAPO Party of Namibia.png | colorcode = {{party color|SWAPO}} | leader1_title = President | leader1_name = Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah | leader2_title = Vice-President | leader2_name = Lucia Witbooi | leader3_title = Secretary-General | leader3_name = Sophia Shaningwa | leader4_title = Vice Secretary-General | leader4_name = Nangolo Mbumba | ideology = Social democracy<ref name="Tötemeyer">{{Cite web |url=http://library.fes.de/pdf-files/bueros/namibia/05913.pdf |first=Gerhard |last=Tötemeyer |author-link=Gerhard Tötemeyer |title=The Management of a Dominant Political Party system with particular reference to Namibia |publisher=Friedrich Ebert Stiftung |date=December 2007 |page=3 |access-date=20 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214103045/http://library.fes.de/pdf-files/bueros/namibia/05913.pdf |archive-date=14 February 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/37/027.html |first=Timothy |last=Dauth |title=From Liberation Organisations to Ruling Parties: The ANC and SWAPO in Transition |work=NamNet Digest, Vol. 95, no. 3 |date=17 January 1995 |access-date=9 June 2011}}</ref><ref>https://africaelects.com/namibia/</ref> Statism<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.namibian.com.na/164541/archive-read/Social-Movements-Party-Politics-And-Democracy-In-Namibia |first=Henny |last=Seibeb |title=Social Movements, Party Politics And Democracy In Namibia |publisher=The Namibian |date=12 May 2017 |access-date=12 October 2017 |archive-date=13 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013120525/https://www.namibian.com.na/164541/archive-read/Social-Movements-Party-Politics-And-Democracy-In-Namibia |url-status=dead }}</ref> <!--

-->'''Historical:''' Communism<ref name=Global>{{cite web |last=Whiting |first=Nicky |date=9 February 2015 |title=Sand, San and sacred lands |url=https://www.global-briefing.org/category/section/spotlight/namibia/ |website=Global |location= |publisher=Global-briefing.org |access-date=25 February 2025 |quote=Swapo was originally a communist party but, in common with many other far-left ruling parties in other parts of Africa, it has moved to the centre and now supports private ownership, enterprise and investment.}}</ref> Marxism–Leninism<ref>{{cite book |last1=Zollmann |first1=Jakob |date=2021 |title=Socialismes en Afrique |series=54 |url=https://books.openedition.org/editionsmsh/51060 |publisher=Éditions de la Maison des sciences de l’homme |pages=593–612 |isbn=9782735126996 }}</ref><ref name=Soiri>{{Cite book |url= https://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:nai:diva-608|first=Iina |last=Soiri |title=The Radical Motherhood: Namibian Women's Independence Struggle |series=Nordiska Afrikainstitutet Research Report, No 99 |date=May 1996 |publisher=Nordiska Afrikainstitutet |isbn=9789171063809 |place=Uppsala}}</ref><ref name=Report>{{cite report |date=February 1990 |title=Country Reports on Human Rights Practices For 1989 |url=https://archive.org/stream/countryreportson1989unit/countryreportson1989unit_djvu.txt |location=US |publisher=Department of State |access-date=20 May 2025}}</ref> Scientific socialism<ref name="Dreyer">{{cite book|title=Namibia and Southern Africa: Regional Dynamics of Decolonization, 1945-90|last=Dreyer|first=Ronald|location=London|publisher=Kegan Paul International|year=1994|isbn=978-0710304711|pages=73–87, 100–116}}</ref> Anti-colonialism<ref name=Camp>{{cite book|last=Williams|first=Christian|title=National Liberation in Postcolonial Southern Africa: A Historical Ethnography of SWAPO's Exile Camps|date=October 2015|pages=73–89|publisher=Cambridge University Press|location=Cambridge|isbn=978-1107099340}}</ref> | headquarters = Erf 2464 Hans-Dietrich Genscher Street Katutura Windhoek Khomas Region | international = Non-Aligned Movement (until 1990)<ref name=NAM1909>{{Cite web |title=SWAPO Party of Namibia {{!}} History & Facts {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/SWAPO-Party-of-Namibia |access-date=24 May 2022 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref> Socialist International (since the 1970s)<ref name=Social1977>{{cite web|url=https://www.socialistinternational.org/fileadmin/uploads/si/Documents/Socialist_Affairs/SA_Nov_Dec_Vol_27_No_6_1977.pdf|title=Socialist Affairs|work=Socialist International|date=1977|accessdate=10 April 2026}}</ref> | website = {{URL|https://www.swapo.party}} | country = Namibia | abbreviation = SWAPO | founders = Sam Nujoma Mburumba Kerina Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo Jacob Kuhangua Solomon Mifima Paul Helmuth Andreas Shipanga Erasmus Erastus Mbumba Emil Appolus Maxton Joseph Mutongulume Carlos Hamatu<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.klausdierks.com/FrontpageMain.html |title=Klaus Dierks Chronology |website=klausdierks.com |access-date=13 April 2025 |quote=The OPO’s reconstitution as SWAPO is triggered by national leaders such as Sam Nujoma, Mburumba Kerina, Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo, Jacob Kuhangua, Solomon Mifima, Paul Helmuth, Andreas Shipanga, Erasmus Erastus Mbumba, Emil Appolus, Maxton Joseph Mutongulume and Carlos Hamatu}}</ref> | slogan = | founded = 19 April 1960 ({{age in years and days|1960|04|19}}) | predecessor = Ovamboland People's Organization (OPO) | newspaper = ''Namibia Today'' (1960–2015) | student_wing = | youth_wing = SWAPO Party Youth League | wing3_title = Armed wing | wing3 = People's Liberation Army of Namibia (1962–1990) | membership_year = | membership = | position = Centre-left<ref>https://africaelects.com/namibia/</ref><ref name=ae>{{Cite web |url=https://africaelects.com/namibia/ |title=Namibia |website=Africa Elects}}</ref> '''Historical''' Left-wing<ref name=Social1977/> to far-left<ref name=Global /> | national = | affiliation1_title = African affiliation | affiliation1 = Former Liberation Movements of Southern Africa | colours = {{colorbox|{{party color|SWAPO}}|border=silver}} Red (primary) {{colorbox|#003281|border=silver}} {{colorbox|#009641|border=silver}} Blue, Green (secondary) | anthem = | seats1_title = National Assembly | seats1 = {{Composition bar|51|104|{{party color|SWAPO}}|per=1}} | seats2_title = National Council | seats2 = {{Composition bar|28|42|{{party color|SWAPO}}|per=1}} | seats3_title = Regional Councils | seats3 = {{Composition bar |88|121|{{party color|SWAPO}}|per=1}} | seats4_title = Local Councils | seats4 = {{Composition bar|277|378|{{party color|SWAPO}}|per=1}} | seats5_title = Pan-African Parliament | seats5 = {{Composition bar|4|5|{{party color|SWAPO}}|per=1}} | symbol = | flag = Flag of South West Africa People's Organisation.svg }} {{Politics of Namibia}} The '''South West Africa People's Organisation''' ('''SWAPO''' {{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|w|ɑː|p|əʊ}}; {{langx|af|Suidwes-Afrikaanse Volks Organisasie}}, SWAVO; {{langx|de|Südwestafrikanische Volksorganisation}}, SWAVO), officially known as the '''SWAPO Party of Namibia''', is a political party and former independence movement in Namibia (formerly South West Africa). Founded in 1960, it has been the governing party in Namibia since the country achieved independence in 1990. The party continues to be dominated in number and influence by the Ovambo ethnic group.

SWAPO held a two-thirds majority in parliament from 1994 to 2019. In the general election held in November 2019, the party won 65.5% of the popular vote and 63 out of the 104 seats in the National Assembly. It also holds 28 out of the 42 seats in the National Council. From November 2017 until his death in February 2024, Namibian President Hage Geingob remained the president of SWAPO after being elected to the position at the party's electoral congress.<ref>{{cite news |title=Namibia's President Geingob elected leader of ruling SWAPO party |url=https://www.africanews.com/2017/11/27/namibia-s-president-geingob-elected-leader-of-ruling-swapo-party/ |work=Africanews |date=n.d.}}</ref>

== History == === Background and foundation === {{See also|Ovamboland People's Organization}} German South West Africa was established in 1884. After World War I, the League of Nations gave South West Africa, formerly a German colony, to the United Kingdom as a mandate under the administration of South Africa.<ref name="Vantaa">{{cite web |url=http://www.vantaa.fi/i_perusdokumentti.asp?path=1;218;58993;1858;29614;75003;75071 |title=The South Africa Mandate 1915–1989 |last=Eerikäinen |first=Marjo |date=14 July 2008 |publisher=Vantaa |access-date=15 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718093128/http://www.vantaa.fi/i_perusdokumentti.asp?path=1;218;58993;1858;29614;75003;75071 |archive-date=18 July 2011 }}</ref> When the National Party won the 1948 election in South Africa and subsequently introduced apartheid legislation,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sahistory.org.za/pages/governence-projects/SA-1948-1976/1948-election.htm |title=Formation of the South African Republic |publisher=South Africa History Online |access-date=15 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080816015132/http://www.sahistory.org.za/pages/governence-projects/SA-1948-1976/1948-election.htm |archive-date=16 August 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> these laws were also applied to South West Africa which was considered the ''de facto'' fifth province of South Africa.<ref name="EISA">{{cite web |url=http://www.eisa.org.za/WEP/namoverview6.htm |title=Namibia: Apartheid, resistance and repression (1945–1966) |date=August 2009 |publisher=Electoral Institute for the Sustainability of Democracy in Africa |access-date=15 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110420064235/http://www.eisa.org.za/WEP/namoverview6.htm |archive-date=20 April 2011 }}</ref>

SWAPO was founded on 19 April 1960 as the successor of the Ovamboland People's Organization. Leaders renamed the party to show that it represented all Namibians. But, the organisation had its base among the Ovambo people of northern Namibia, who constituted nearly half the total population.<ref name="Kae"/>

=== Struggle for independence === {{See also|1971–72 Namibian contract workers strike}} During 1962, SWAPO had emerged as the dominant nationalist organisation for the Namibian people. It co-opted other groups such as the South West Africa National Union (SWANU), and later in 1976 the Namibia African People's Democratic Organisation.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PFYhaULYUr4C&dq=Namibia+African+People's+Democratic+Organisation&pg=PA99 |via=Google Books |title=A History of Resistance in Namibia |page=99 |first=Peter H. |last=Katjavivi |year=1988 |publisher=Currey |isbn=0-86543-144-2}}</ref> SWAPO used guerrilla tactics to fight the South African Defence Force. On 26 August 1966, the first major clash of the conflict took place, when a unit of the South African Police, supported by the South African Air Force, exchanged fire with SWAPO forces. This date is generally regarded as the start of what became known in South Africa as the Border War.{{cn|date=December 2024}}

One important factor in the fight for independence was the 1971-72 Namibian contract workers strike, which fought for the elimination of the contract labour system and independence from South Africa. An underlying goal was the promotion of independence under SWAPO leadership.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ovambo migrant workers general strike for rights, Namibia, 1971-72 {{!}} Global Nonviolent Action Database |url=https://nvdatabase.swarthmore.edu/content/ovambo-migrant-workers-general-strike-rights-namibia-1971-72#bootstrap-panel--3--content |access-date=6 March 2023 |website=nvdatabase.swarthmore.edu}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite journal |last1=Rogers |first1=Barbara |title=Namibia's General Strike |journal=Africa Today |date=1972 |volume=19 |issue=2 |pages=3–8 |jstor=4185227 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/4185227 |issn=0001-9887}}</ref>

In 1973, the United Nations General Assembly recognised SWAPO as the 'sole legitimate representative' of Namibia's people.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13891138 |title=Country Profiles – Timeline: Namibia |work=BBC News |access-date=8 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090112042754/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/country_profiles/1469048.stm |archive-date=12 January 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref> The Norwegian government began giving aid directly to SWAPO in 1974.<ref name="norway">{{cite book |last=Eriksen |first=Tore Linné |url=http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn%3Anbn%3Ase%3Anai%3Adiva-228 |title=Norway and National Liberation in Southern Africa |pages=90 |author-link=Tore Linné Eriksen}}</ref>

The country of Angola gained its independence on 11 November 1975 following its war for independence. The leftist Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), supported by Cuba and the Soviet Union, came to power. In March 1976, the MPLA offered SWAPO bases in Angola for launching attacks against the South African military.{{Cn|date=July 2024}}

===Independent Namibia=== When Namibia gained its independence in 1990, SWAPO became the dominant political party. Though the organisation rejected the term ''South West Africa'' and preferred to use ''Namibia'', the organisation's original name—derived from the territory's old name—was too deeply rooted in the independence movement to be changed. However, the original full name is no longer used; only the acronym remains.<ref name="Kae">{{cite news |title=The founder of Swapo |first=Kae |last=Matundu-Tjiparuro |newspaper=New Era |date= 19 April 2010}}</ref> SWAPO, and with it much of Namibia's government and administration, continues to be dominated by the Ovambo ethnic group, despite "considerable efforts to counter [that] perception".<ref>{{Cite book |title=Traditional Leadership and Democratisation in Southern Africa: A Comparative Study of Botswana, Namibia, and Southern Africa |last=Düsing |first=Sandra |publisher=LIT Verlag Münster |year=2002 |pages=125–126 |isbn=9783825850654 |series=Studien zur Politikwissenschaft |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d879H9_-IZ0C&q=swapo+dominated+by+ovambo&pg=PA126 |access-date=3 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180204000811/https://books.google.com.na/books?id=d879H9_-IZ0C&pg=PA126&lpg=PA126&dq=swapo+dominated+by+ovambo&source=bl&ots=TU-MDXQFrW&sig=fwJ9WAEUcvE9vQPaTDyfE8kFx54&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiZxrCQ6onZAhUTQMAKHXN9AAMQ6AEIMjAB#v=onepage&q=swapo%20dominated%20by%20ovambo&f=false |archive-date=4 February 2018 |url-status=live |via=Google Books}}</ref>

SWAPO president Sam Nujoma was declared Namibia's first President after SWAPO won the inaugural election in 1989. A decade later, Nujoma had the constitution changed so he could run for a third term in 1999, as it limits the presidency to two terms.{{Cn|date=July 2024}}

In 2004, the SWAPO presidential candidate was Hifikepunye Pohamba, described as Nujoma's hand-picked successor.<ref name="chosen">{{cite web |year=2004 |url=http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=44135&SelectRegion=Southern_Africa&SelectCountry=NAMIBIA |title=NAMIBIA: Election expected to be low-key |publisher=IRIN |access-date=9 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061123023759/http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=44135&SelectRegion=Southern_Africa&SelectCountry=NAMIBIA |archive-date=23 November 2006 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Elections in Namibia">{{cite web |url=http://africanelections.tripod.com/na.html |title=Elections in Namibia |access-date=7 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514094402/http://africanelections.tripod.com/na.html |archive-date=14 May 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2014, the SWAPO presidential candidate was Hage Geingob, who was the vice-president of SWAPO. In 2019 presidential election, president Geingob won his second five-year term as Namibian president.<ref>{{cite news |title=Namibia election: president wins second term despite scandal and recession |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/01/namibia-election-president-wins-second-term-despite-scandal-and-recession |work=The Guardian |date=1 December 2019 |language=en}}</ref>

thumb|300px|right|SWAPO election campaign vehicle

==Ideology== SWAPO was founded with the aim of attaining the independence of Namibia and therefore is part of the African nationalist movement. Pre-independence it had a socialist,<ref name="Tötemeyer"/> Marxist–Leninist<ref name=Soiri/> ideology, which was not immediately abandoned when independence was achieved in 1990 and SWAPO became the ruling party.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/37/027.html |first=Timothy |last=Dauth |title=From Liberation Organisations to Ruling Parties: The ANC and SWAPO in Transition |work=NamNet Digest, Vol. 95, no. 3 |date=17 January 1995 |access-date=9 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110210084857/http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/37/027.html |archive-date=10 February 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> Officially, however, it adopted a social democratic ideology, until the electoral congress in 2017 approved the official change to socialism with a "Namibian character",<ref name=sweeping>{{Cite news |title=Politburo approves sweeping changes |last=Iileka |first=Sakeus |newspaper=The Namibian |date=9 November 2017 |page=1 |url=https://www.namibian.com.na/61322/read/Politburo-approves-sweeping-changes |access-date=11 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171112021127/https://www.namibian.com.na/61322/read/Politburo-approves-sweeping-changes |archive-date=12 November 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> although some Namibians have labelled the change as lacking a "grass-roots" nature.<ref name="nam23">{{Cite web |last=Aluteni |first=D. |date=7 December 2018 |title=Swapo, what is 'Socialism with a Namibian Character'? |url=https://www.namibian.com.na/183845/archive-read/Letter-of-the-Week--Swapo-what-is-Socialism-with-a-Namibian-Character |website=The Namibian |access-date=5 April 2021 |archive-date=14 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414161723/https://www.namibian.com.na/183845/archive-read/Letter-of-the-Week--Swapo-what-is-Socialism-with-a-Namibian-Character |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Various commentators have characterised the politics of SWAPO in different ways. Gerhard Tötemeyer, himself a party member, considered its post-independence politics neoliberal and social democratic.<ref name="Tötemeyer"/> Henny Seibeb, an opposition politician from the Landless People's Movement, describes the current party ideology as liberal nationalism with traces of "dogmatism, authoritarianism, and statism".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.namibian.com.na/164541/archive-read/Social-Movements-Party-Politics-And-Democracy-In-Namibia |first=Henny |last=Seibeb |title=Social Movements, Party Politics And Democracy In Namibia |newspaper=The Namibian |date=12 May 2017 |access-date=12 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013120525/https://www.namibian.com.na/164541/archive-read/Social-Movements-Party-Politics-And-Democracy-In-Namibia |archive-date=13 October 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Structure == The party president is the top position of SWAPO; in 2012 this was held by Namibia's former president Pohamba. The vice-president was Namibia's former president Hage Geingob, who was elected to that position in 2007 and reconfirmed at the SWAPO congress in December 2012, until his death on 4 February 2024. The third highest position in SWAPO is the secretary-general, a position held in December 2012 by Nangolo Mbumba. Number four is the deputy secretary-general, Omaheke governor Laura McLeod-Katjirua.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.namibian.com.na/news/full-story/archive/2012/december/article/moderates-prevail/ |title=Moderates prevail |last1=Immanuel |first1=Shinovene |last2=Shipanga |first2=Selma |date=3 December 2012 |work=The Namibian |access-date=3 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121207015521/http://www.namibian.com.na/news/full-story/archive/2012/december/article/moderates-prevail/ |archive-date=7 December 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Like many socialist and communist parties, SWAPO is governed by a politburo and a central committee. The party leadership is advised by a youth league, a women's council, and an elders' council.{{Cn|date=July 2024}}

=== Politburo === The politburo of SWAPO is a body that {{As of|December 2024|alt=currently}} consists of 29 members for the period 2022–2027 (including party president, former party president, secretary general, deputy secretary general, members appointed by the party president and members elected by the SWAPO central committee for the period).<ref>[https://www.swapo-party.org/copy-of-central-committee MEMBERS OF THE POLITICAL BUREAU 2022 – 2027]</ref>

{{div col|colwidth=15em}} * Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah * Sophia Shaningwa * Uahekua Herunga * Pohamba Shifeta * Lucia Witbooi * Frans Kapofi * Sirkka Ausiku * Charles Mubita * Lucia Iipumbu * Iipumbu Shiimi * Bernadette Jagger * Modestus Amutse * Laura McLeod-Katjirua * Veikko Nekundi * Kornelia Shilunga * Royal ǀUiǀoǀoo * Saara Kuugongelwa * Edward Wambo * Verna Sinimbo * Elia Kaiyamo * Hilma Nicanor * Hofni Iipinge * Paula Kooper * Erastus Uutoni * Anna Nghipondoka * Alpheus ǃNaruseb * Maria Elago * Steve Sensus Ovambo * Katrina Hanse-Himarwa * Sisa Namandje {{div col end}}

=== Central Committee === thumb|300px|right|Typical SWAPO sticker on Namibian vehicle SWAPO's Central Committee consists of: * The president * The vice-president * The secretary-general * The deputy secretary-general * The founding president of SWAPO as a permanent member * 13 SWAPO Party regional coordinators * 54 members elected at the party congress * 10 members appointed by the party president

'''The {{As of|December 2024|alt=current}} 100 Central Committee members are''':<ref>[https://www.swapo-party.org/central]</ref> {{div col|colwidth=15em}} * Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah * Sophia Shaningwa * Uahekua Herunga * Lucia Witbooi * Iipumbu Shiimi * Loide Kasingo * John Mutorwa * Lucia lipumbu * Charles Mubita * Sirkka Ausiku * Frans Kapofi * Bernadette Jagger * Veikko Nekundi * Tuulikki Abraham * Nangolo Mbumba * Christine Haindaka * Alpheus ǃNaruseb * Hilma Nicanor * Willem Amutenya * Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila * Bonifatius Wakudumo * Ester Kavela * Pohamba Shifeta * Petrina Haingura * Neville Andre * Verna Sinimbo * Modestus Amutse * Maria Elago * Royal ǀUiǀoǀoo * Anna Nghipondoka * Tobie Aupindi * Paula Kooper * Edward Wambo * Loise Garosas * Peya Mushelenga * Evelyn ǃNawases-Taeyele * Austin Samupwa * Kornelia Shilunga * Festus Ueitele * Naemi Amuthenu * John Likando * Hilma lita * Usko Nghaamwa * Jenelly Matundu * Tjekero Tweya * Gaudentia Krohne * Sebastian Karupu * Fenni Nanyeni * Tommy Nambahu * Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana * John Elago * Katrina Liswani * Elia Kaiyamo * Silvia Makgone * Utoni Nujoma * Nono Katjingisiua * Salomon April * Easter Mokaxwa * Steve Sensus Ovambo * Laura McLeod-Katjirua * Samuel Mbambo * Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun * Hofni lipinge * Katrina Hanse-Himarwa * Erastus Uutoni * Coleen van Wyk * Obed Kandjoze * Sirkka Kapanga * Paulus Kapia * Emma Kantema-Gaomas * Marius Sheya * Lempy Lucas * Erginus Endjala * Laurencia Stephanus * Martin Shalli * Marlyn Mbakera * Sisa Namandje * Sharonice Busch * James Uerikua * Ephraim Tuhadeleni Nekongo * Fransina Kahungu * Muwaita Shanyengana * Phillemon Josua * Ottilie Shinduvi * Armas Amukwiyu * Moffat Sileze * Daniel Utapi Muhuura * Immanuel Namaseb * Joplin Gontes * Mathew Mumbala * Elliot Mbako * Julius Kaujova * Sackey Kayone * Werner Iita * David Hamutenya * Ruth Kaukuata-Mbura * Petrus Nevonga * Loide Shaanika * Bamba Nghipandua * Taimi Ileka {{div col end}}

=== List of presidents === * Sam Nujoma (1960–2007) * Hifikepunye Pohamba (2007–2015) * Hage Geingob (2015–2024)

== Finances and business interests == Although SWAPO receives finances from government for its operations, the party also holds extensive business interests. Through Kalahari Holdings, it entered into joint ventures with several companies, most prominently the Namibian branch of MultiChoice, a private satellite TV provider, of which it owns 51%. Kalahari Holdings has further joint ventures with Radio Energy, Africa Online, and businesses in the tourism, farming, security services and health insurance sectors. It owns Namib Contract Haulage, Namprint, Kudu Investments and the Ndilimani Cultural Troupe.<ref name=cow>{{Cite news |title=Govt is Swapo's cash cow |last=Immanuel |first=Shinovene |newspaper=The Namibian |date=29 November 2017 |page=1 |url=https://www.namibian.com.na/62071/read/Govt-is-Swapos-cash-cow |access-date=29 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171129100826/https://www.namibian.com.na/62071/read/Govt-is-Swapos-cash-cow |archive-date=29 November 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |title=The South African media's (re) colonisation of Namibia |last=Tyson |first=Robin |journal=Global Media Journal: African Edition |date=January 2008 |volume=2 |issue=1 |pages=66–79 |doi=10.5789/2-1-35 |url=https://journals.co.za/doi/pdf/10.10520/AJA20732740_24|doi-access=free |hdl=10520/AJA20732740_24 |hdl-access=free }}</ref>

SWAPO also runs Guinas Investments (Pty) Ltd, which owns 96.5% of Gendev Fishing Resources (Pty) Ltd. The latter in turn owns 60% of the Gendev Fishing Group joint venture. Former Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources Helmut Angula, himself running a fishing company, described SWAPO's business structure as "deliberately structured to be complex, multi-layered and opaque".<ref>{{Cite news |title='Civil War' hits Swapo company | last1=Immanuel | first1=Shinovene | last2=Shihepo | first2=Timo | newspaper=The Namibian | date=22 May 2026 |pages=1,6}}</ref>

''Namibia Today'' was the mouthpiece of the SWAPO,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.namibian.com.na/2003/February/national/03B525D01A.html |title=SWAPO distances itself from mouthpiece's Kameeta attack |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030731091900/http://www.namibian.com.na/2003/February/national/03B525D01A.html |archive-date=31 July 2003 |work=The Namibian |date=18 February 2003}}</ref> and Asser Ntinda was its editor. The paper does not appear to have been active since 7 April 2011<ref>{{Cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151009100424/http://www.swapoparty.org/namibia_today.html |archive-date=9 October 2015 |url=http://www.swapoparty.org/namibia_today.html |title=Namibia Today (01 April 2011 - 07 April 2011) |date=|access-date=7 November 2024 |publisher=SWAPO}} Overview with hyperlinks to news articles in weekly of Namibia Today issues from 7 August 2009 - 7 April 2011.</ref> and closed down in 2015.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Swapo ousts newspaper editor |last=Immanuel |first=Shinovene |newspaper=The Namibian |date=26 February 2019 |page=1 |url=https://www.namibian.com.na/75992/read/Swapo-ousts-newspaper-editor |access-date=26 February 2019 |archive-date=26 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190226162659/https://www.namibian.com.na/75992/read/Swapo-ousts-newspaper-editor |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Human rights abuses == Various groups have claimed that SWAPO committed serious human rights abuses against suspected spies during the independence struggle. Since the early 21st century, they have pressed the government more strongly on this issue. Breaking the Wall of Silence (BWS) is one of the groups founded by people who were detained by SWAPO during the war and abused during interrogations.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20051119084534/http://www.namibian.com.na/2003/november/national/0396AF0E7.html "Church council's stance on detainees revives apartheid rhetoric, charges the NSHR"], ''The Namibian,'' 18 November 2003</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060105002048/http://www.namibian.com.na/2005/October/national/05DD6374DC.html "Ex-detainee issue still runs deep"], ''The Namibian,'' 4 October 2005</ref> In 2004, BWS alleged that "In exile, hundreds of SWAPO dependants and members were detained, tortured and killed without trial."<ref name=Kapuuo>{{cite journal |title=Who Killed Clemens Kapuuo? |last=Gewald |first=Jan-Bart |journal=Journal of Southern African Studies |volume=30 |issue=3 |date=September 2004 |pages=559–576 |url=https://openaccess.leidenuniv.nl/bitstream/handle/1887/4851/asc-1293873-058.pdf?sequence=1 |issn=0305-7070 |doi=10.1080/0305707042000254100 |hdl=1887/4851 |s2cid=146448312 |access-date=3 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140607001612/https://openaccess.leidenuniv.nl/bitstream/handle/1887/4851/asc-1293873-058.pdf?sequence=1 |archive-date=7 June 2014 |url-status=live |hdl-access=free}}</ref> SWAPO denies serious infractions and claims anything that did happen was in the name of liberation. Because of a series of successful South African raids, the SWAPO leadership believed that spies existed in the movement. Hundreds of SWAPO cadres were imprisoned, tortured and interrogated.<ref name="leys">{{cite book |last1=Leys |first1=C. |first2=S. |last2=Brown |year=2005 |title=Histories of Namibia |location=London |publisher=Merlin Press |isbn=0-85036-499-X}}</ref>

== Memberships == SWAPO is a full member of Socialist International.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.socialistinternational.org/viewArticle.cfm?ArticlePageID=931 |title=List of Socialist International parties in Africa |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131103120922/http://www.socialistinternational.org/viewArticle.cfm?ArticlePageID=931 |archive-date=3 November 2013 |website=Socialist International}}</ref> It was a member of the Non-Aligned Movement before the independence of Namibia in 1990.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SWAPO Party of Namibia {{!}} History & Facts {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/SWAPO-Party-of-Namibia |access-date=24 May 2022 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref>

== Electoral history ==

=== Presidential elections === {| class=wikitable style=text-align:center !Election !Party candidate !Votes !% !Result |- |1994 | rowspan="2" |Sam Nujoma |370,452 |76.34% |'''Elected''' {{Y}} |- |1999 |414,096 |76.82% |'''Elected''' {{Y}} |- |2004 | rowspan="2" |Hifikepunye Pohamba |625,605 |76.45% |'''Elected''' {{Y}} |- |2009 |611,241 |75.25% |'''Elected''' {{Y}} |- |2014 | rowspan="2" |Hage Geingob |772,528 |86.73% |'''Elected''' {{Y}} |- |2019 |464,703 |56.3% |'''Elected''' {{Y}} |- |2024 |Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah |683,560 |58.07% |'''Elected''' {{Y}} |}

===National Assembly elections=== {| class=wikitable style=text-align:center !Election !Party leader !Votes !% !Seats !+/– !Position !Result |- |1989 | rowspan="4" |Sam Nujoma |384,567 |57.33% |{{Composition bar|41|72|hex={{party color|SWAPO}}}} |New |{{increase}} 1st |{{yes2|Majority government}} |- |1994 |370,452 |76.34'''%''' |{{Composition bar|53|72|hex={{party color|SWAPO}}}} |{{increase}} 12 |{{steady}} 1st |{{yes2|Supermajority government}} |- |1999 |414,096 |76.82'''%''' |{{Composition bar|55|78|hex={{party color|SWAPO}}}} |{{increase}} 2 |{{steady}} 1st |{{yes2|Supermajority government}} |- |2004 |625,605 |76.44'''%''' |{{Composition bar|55|78|hex={{party color|SWAPO}}}} |{{steady}} 0 |{{steady}} 1st |{{yes2|Supermajority government}} |- |2009 | rowspan="2" |Hifikepunye Pohamba |611,241 |75.25'''%''' |{{Composition bar|54|72|hex={{party color|SWAPO}}}} |{{decrease}} 1 |{{steady}} 1st |{{yes2|Supermajority government}} |- |2014 |785,671 |80.01% |{{Composition bar|77|96|hex={{party color|SWAPO}}}} |{{increase}} 23 |{{steady}} 1st |{{yes2|Supermajority government}} |- |2019 |Hage Geingob |536,861 |65.45% |{{Composition bar|63|96|hex={{party color|SWAPO}}}} |{{decrease}} 14 |{{steady}} 1st |{{yes2|Majority government}} |- |2024 |Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah |583,300 |53.38% |{{Composition bar|51|96|hex={{party color|SWAPO}}}} |{{decrease}} 12 |{{steady}} 1st |{{yes2|Majority government}} |}

===National Council elections=== {| class=wikitable style=text-align:center !Election !Seats !+/– !Position !Result |- |1992 |{{Composition bar|19|26|{{party color|SWAPO}}}} |New |{{increase}} 1st |{{yes2|Governing supermajority}} |- |1998 |{{Composition bar|21|26|{{party color|SWAPO}}}} |{{increase}} 2 |{{steady}} 1st |{{yes2|Governing supermajority}} |- |2004 |{{Composition bar|24|26|{{party color|SWAPO}}}} |{{increase}} 3 |{{steady}} 1st |{{yes2|Governing supermajority}} |- |2010 |{{Composition bar|24|26|{{party color|SWAPO}}}} |{{steady}} |{{steady}} 1st |{{yes2|Governing supermajority}} |- |2015 |{{Composition bar|40|42|{{party color|SWAPO}}}} |{{increase}} 16 |{{steady}} 1st |{{yes2|Governing supermajority}} |- |2020 |{{Composition bar|28|42|{{party color|SWAPO}}}} |{{decrease}} 12 |{{steady}} 1st |{{yes2|Governing supermajority}} |}

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == * {{Official website |url=http://www.swapo.party/}} * Example SWAPO Party Youth League web page. {{Cite web |url=http://spyl.swapo.party |publisher=SWAPO Party Youth League |title=Latest from the SPYL Frontlines |website=spyl.swapo.party |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120828105955/http://www.spyl.org/ |archive-date=28 August 2012 |access-date=7 November 2024 |date=28 August 2012 }} ===Secondary literature=== * {{Cite web |url=http://barrysgovsites.blogspot.com/1989/11/namibian-voters-deny-total-power-to.html |title=Namibian Voters Deny Total Power to SWAPO. [Reprint] |first=Michael |last=Johns |publisher=The Wall Street Journal, original publisher |website=barrysgovsites.blogspot.com |date=5 November 1989 |access-date=7 November 2024}} * {{Cite journal |last=van der Hoog |first=Tycho |date=June 2022 |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/history-in-africa/article/new-chapter-in-namibian-history-reflections-on-archival-research/42E8D7D0A6F19E5580FFE0031D218554 |title=A New Chapter in Namibian History: Reflections on Archival Research |journal=History in Africa |volume=49 |access-date=7 November 2024 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |pages=389–414 |doi=10.1017/hia.2021.12|hdl=1887/3303534 |hdl-access=free }} An explainer of existing archives on SWAPO.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Swapo}} Category:SWAPO

Category:1960 establishments in South West Africa Category:African and Black nationalist organizations in Africa Category:Anti-apartheid organisations Category:Decolonization Category:Guerrilla organizations Category:Left-wing parties Category:Military history of Namibia Category:National liberation armies Category:National liberation movements Category:Political parties established in 1960 Category:Political parties in Namibia Category:Rebel groups in Namibia Category:Socialist International Category:South West Africa