The Namibia Local Business Association (NALOBA) has condemned the manner in which Swapo Party Secretary General Mrs Sophia Shaningwa thanked the Rani Group of Companies for the financial support given to the Olufuko Festival.
Shaningwa was speaking at the Olufuko Festival 2026 gala dinner which took place on Saturday in Outapi.
“Omu shi Ali woRani Grupa? Ngu naanaa hamu sapota naanaa okati kanangala moshilongo muno. (Do you know Ali of Rani Group? The one you support very well in this country),” Shaningwa said.
“I went to him and I told him kutya comrade the people of this region and all over are really contributing to your businesses and therefore you must really make something for Olufuko, [he] pledged and promised that already on Monday, come this Monday, he will have to deposit one hundred thousand in your kitty.”
A video of the Secretary General of Swapo speaking this way at Olufuko circulated over the weekend on social media. In response the northern-based local business association expressed disappointment in the way in which political leaders sing the praises of foreign-owned businesses.
“NALOBA heavily condemns the praising of Indian retailers by our National Leaders, who were supposed to have taken Bold Actions to protect and promote our Local Businesses in the retail sector currently dominated by Indians and Chinese hiding in our Namibian skin as well as our Namibian National identity documents,” said NALOBA’s vice president Mr Peter Kanu Amadhila.
“Our retail sector has been captured leaving our Local Businesses big and small closed as they continue to be subjected to unfair and unregulated competition.
“Our expectations from our Leaderships among others are immediate regulation and control of these foreign business invasions. Is Putin really proud of the Indians?”
In the photo: Swapo Party Secretary General Mrs Sophia Shaningwa speaking at the Olufuko Festival gala dinner.
