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AFFIRMATIVE Repositioning (AR) movement co-founder Dimbulukeni Nauyoma did not attend the movement’s critical leadership meeting at Walvis Bay over the weekend, saying he was busy with “things that matter”.
The movement, which is known for its anti-corruption campaigns and advocating housing for all, now brands itself as leaning towards communism.
It was formed by activists Job Amupanda, George Kambala and Nauyoma in 2014 after widespread concerns about land delivery at the municipality of Windhoek.
Nauyoma has over the years, however, leaned towards activities and businesses run by self-styled foreign currency dealer Michael Amushelelo.
Nauyoma has also publicly worn Namibian Economic Freedom Fighters T-shirts.
The AR organised a national assembly over the weekend at Walvis Bay to discuss and adopt their constitution, as well as a programme of action for the movement.
Nauyoma was noticeably missing from this meeting.
AR acting spokesperson George Kambala yesterday said Nauyoma was invited to the coastal meeting, but allegedly said he was not available for AR activities.
“He indicated that at the current moment he is not available. So, it was on that basis,” Kambala said.
Nauyoma yesterday, however, said he was not invited to the meeting.
He said he was not surprised or shocked at not being invited.
“I remain an activist of social justice,” he said.
Asked whether he is an AR activist, Nauyoma said: “I hear now there are memberships. I must still subscribe to be a member.”
Nauyoma and Amushelelo were arrested and charged in May with public violence and incitement to commit an offence after taking part in a public demonstration outside the China Town shopping complex in the capital.
The two spent three months in jail.
Nauyoma said the time he spent in prison since May this year gave him the opportunity to reflect on what matters in life, and to reflect on his relationships.
“So, part of the resolutions I have taken is to participate in things that matter most to myself, that will bring joy to myself and, in the process, ultimately to be able to help those I know and don’t know for the benefit of themselves,” he said.
Nauyoma said he recently participated in a cancer awareness-raising campaign.
“Those are the things that matter,” he said.
“For the previous two weeks, we were leading a protest on nationalisation . . . that speaks to the equal distribution of wealth to Namibians,” he said.
Nauyoma said his energy is vested in fighting for the economic emancipation of black people.
On his relationship with Amupanda, he said: “I have not spoken to him. We are all busy . . .
“This side of us, we are on the street. We are hustling. I have a housing development that keeps me busy, so we are very, very busy people. I don’t think communication is one of those important things…”
Nauyoma has largely promoted Amushelelo’s activities, including the housing development project at Brakwater.
Amushelelo is currently facing a court case in which the state is accusing him of having operated a Ponzi scheme through which money was solicited from investors lured by promises of high returns on their investments from September 2018 to October 2019.
Investors allegedly paid Amushelelo a total of about N$14,7 million.
Meanwhile, 300 AR members yesterday adopted the movement’s constitution at Walvis Bay.
Kunene interim AR leader Julius Johannes said the AR now operates under a code of conduct.
“This was necessary for uniformity and future actions,” he said.
Amupanda said the movement’s constitution is unique, because 65% of its elective national assembly planned for 2023 would comprise delegates from community structures.
The national assembly would have 744 delegates, of which 484 would involve community members.
The AR constitution will require anyone who is elected into positions of power to contribute 10% of their income to the movement. – Additional reporting Ester Mbathera
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