Veterans wish list ahead of Swapo congress

■ To be appointed in leadership positions at government ministries

■ Include veterans in Central Committee

■ Include veterans in the National Assembly

■ Open congress to all aspiring candidates

• By Hilary Mare

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WAPO veterans have said that while they will not pronounce themselves on their preferred candidate to take over party presidency from incumbent President Hage Geingob yet, they are pushing for reforms that would free them from the chains of neglect and poverty.

In an exclusive interview with Confidente, Swapo Elders Council’s executive and the chairperson of the Peter Nanyemba Former Combatant Veterans Trust, Nkrumah Mushelenga who has been spearheading the charge for better veteran welfare highlighted that the Swapo policy conference which precedes the elective congress later this year should put in place reforms that would also allow veterans to benefit from the national purse.

“We shed our blood, tears and sweat. Some of us were doing harsh work; some of us are living with bruises and foreign objects in our bodies, it is very painful,” he said further stating that money had been budgeted for veterans, but they were not benefitting from the projects.

“We should have a say how funds should be disbursed to the veterans. We are not quarrelling with our Swapo party or our government,” Mushelenga said.

Read the full story in this week’s edition.