The SWAPO Party Women's Council (SPWC) has confirmed its 9th National Congress will be held from 9 to 11 December 2026 in Katima Mulilo, Zambezi Region, and announced sole nominees for its top two secretariat positions as it urges members to campaign responsibly and uphold unity.
The decision followed consultations and was aligned with the Council's constitutional processes.
The SPWC's assistant secretary for research, information and programmes, Ruthy Masake, said the Congress has traditionally been held in November and December, making the return to this period appropriate, provided all procedures are followed.
The National Executive Committee also briefed SWAPO President Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on the preparations, where she urged the Council to ensure the Congress is conducted in a spirit of peace, unity, discipline and organisational decorum.
She said the conduct of the Women's Council Congress would set the tone for subsequent SWAPO programmes, including the party's main Congress.
Dr. Nandi-Ndaitwah also urged the Council to help women, particularly young women, access government economic empowerment programmes and funding opportunities.
"The President also emphasised the importance of ensuring that the 9th Congress of the Swapo party Women's Council is conducted in a peaceful and in a spirit of unity, discipline and decorum. The President further emphasised that the manner in which the Women's Council conducts its Congress would set a tone for the subsequent Swapo Congress programmes, including the Congress of the Swapo party as the mother body," stated Masake.
The Extraordinary Central Committee also nominated Fransina Kahungu as the sole candidate for Secretary and Maria Mukanontusi for Deputy Secretary of the Swapo Women's Council.
Masake said the nominations followed the Council's rules and constitutional procedures.
"We wish to emphasise that these nominations are an expression of their confidence by the structure of the Council and must be understood within the broader responsibility of serving the organisation."
Masake issued a strong appeal to members as the congress approaches, calling all members to participate responsibly in the process leading to the congress.