Swapo Party President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has dismissed media reports suggesting a rift between her and Secretary-General Sophia Shaningwa.

Addressing a press conference at the Swapo Party headquarters in Windhoek, Nandi-Ndaitwah labelled the reports as false and divisive.

“We are fully aware that the Swapo Party has its own opponents; however, the Party will never be derailed from its responsibility to direct the affairs of government to ensure the manifesto is implemented within the timeframe of five years,” she said.

“It must be underscored that the leadership of the Swapo Party and the entire rank and file should be assured that the SG and I enjoy excellent working relations. It is the wishful thinking on the part of those who peddle untruths that we are not working together. There is no rift or bad blood between us.”

Recent speculation was fueled by Shaningwa’s absence at key events such as the Party’s 65th anniversary, Workers Day, and Genocide Remembrance Day.

Nandi-Ndaitwah explained that Shaningwa had personal and official duties that coincided with those dates.

“I want to make it categorically clear that there is no need for us to always follow each other every time,” she said.

“When she did not join the Genocide Remembrance Day on 28 May, our SG was in Angola attending a meeting of sister liberation movements, and those activities were carried out by the SG with my full knowledge and blessings in my capacity as the President of the Party.”

She criticised the media, saying, “As a conveying belt to the general public, the media lacked realism and honesty in your reporting, just to say the least.”

On broader matters, Nandi-Ndaitwah reaffirmed the Party’s commitment to value addition, food security, job creation and economic growth.

“We will not be deviated from our call for value addition to our natural resources, increasing agricultural output and food security, professionalising industries for job creation and growing the economy for each and every Namibian to see tangible improvements in their lives.”

The Party leadership says it remains focused on the upcoming by-elections and the preparation for regional and local authority elections.