Both Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) and the SWAPO Party are scheduled to hold political rallies at the newly proclaimed town of Omuthiya this coming Saturday.

The town is situated some 80 kilometers southeast of Ondangwa, in the Oshikoto Region. On December 22 2007, RDP said that it would hold a political rally at the town.

The announcement was repeated at an RDP public rally held last Saturday at Omungwelume Settlement, in the Ohangwena Region, some 30 kilometers northwest of Oshakati. Since Monday, January 14 2008 this announcement been made at least three times on NBC Radio.

In a not-so-surprising move this morning on popular NBC Oshiwambo Service’s official messages program, Lungada, a certain Rosalia Wakuwile, who is an employee at the Offices of Oshikoto Governor Penda ya Ndakolo, called upon the general public to attend a SWAPO Party rally to be held also at Omuthiya this coming Saturday. Ms. Wakuwile accused NBC of having failed to announce the SWAPO Party rally “earlier”.

“We are, in principle, not against the two rival political parties holding rallies at Omuthiya on the same day at the same time. However, we are concerned about the practicalities thereof. These rallies are to be held at the same time, being 14h00, at a distance of less than 200 meters apart. The Inspector General of the Namibian Police, Honorable Sebastian Ndeitunga, is hereby implored to ensure a heavy police presence.

Police officers must be equipped with riot gear, just in case. We are also urging the two parties--RDP and SWAPO--each to ensure that its members and supporters are well behaved and disciplined. No provocation and incitement should be brooked by both sides!” said NSHR executive director Phil ya Nangoloh, this morning.

According to reliable NSHR sources, RDP Interim President Hidipo Hamutenya (HH) would deliver the keynote speech at his party’s rally, while newly appointed SWAPO Party Secretary General Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana would be the main speaker at her party’s gathering.

The SWAPO Party also announced that it would hold another public rally at Omungwelume Settlement this Saturday. Ohangwena Governor Usko Nghaamwa would deliver the keynote at the said rally.