Party structures ·
Regional Conference schedule published
Dates for the coming cycle of Regional Conferences have been circulated to all regional structures.
Founded 19 April 1960
The movement that freed Namibia. The party that builds it.
SWAPO was founded on 19 April 1960, led the struggle for the independence of Namibia, and has governed the Republic since 1990. This is the Party’s membership platform.
- Regions
- 14
- Districts
- 121
- Branches
- 159
- 1957The Ovamboland People's Congress
- 1966Omugulugwombashe
- 1968The territory is named Namibia
- 1971The contract workers' strike
- 1976The sole and authentic representative
- 1988The New York Treaty
- 1990The Constitution is adopted
- 2025The first woman to lead the Party
Membership
Joining takes four steps.
Membership is open to every Namibian citizen of eighteen years and above who accepts the Aims and Objectives of the Party. The steps below come straight from the Party Constitution.
- 01
Check that you qualify
A Namibian citizen, eighteen or above, not a member of another political party.
Article 5(1) - 02
Find two recommenders
Two members of the Party who have known you for at least two years.
Article 5(2) - 03
Apply to your Branch
Your application goes to the Coordinator of the Branch where you live.
Article 5(2) - 04
Fee, oath, and card
Pay the admission fee and receive a receipt, subscribe to the Party Oath, and be entered on the register.
Article 5(3)
Start an application
Applications are received by your Branch Coordinator. There is no eligibility check on the form, and completing it means you have applied.
18+
Open to every Namibian citizen · Article 5(1)
Our history
From 1957 to today.
SWAPO led the struggle for the independence of Namibia and has governed the Republic since 1990. The full history sets out every milestone, with its sources.
- Blue
- the minerals and wealth of Namibia, and her long Atlantic coast
- Red
- the precious blood of the Namibian people shed in the struggle against colonialism
- Green
- the people, the land, the agricultural potential and the vegetation of the country
The three colours and their order are prescribed by Schedule 1, Part A of the SWAPO Party Constitution.
1960
Founded 19 April
Latest
News from the Party
12 Aug
Party structures
Structures
Find your branch.
Every member belongs to a Branch, within a District and a Region. Find yours by the place you live, and see how the Party is organised from the Section to the National level.
159
Branches in 14 regions
Questions
Answered from the Constitution
Each answer cites the Article it comes from, so anyone can check it against the Party Constitution rather than taking it on trust.
Who may become a member?
Membership is open to every Namibian citizen aged eighteen years or above who accepts the Aims and Objectives of the Party, is not a member of any other political party, and does not support any organisation whose aims are contrary to those of the Party. (Article 5(1))
Membership
How do I apply?
You submit your application to the Coordinator of the appropriate Branch. Two members of the Party who have known you for at least two years must recommend you. (Article 5(2))
Membership
What does membership cost?
A member pays an admission fee on being admitted, and a receipt is issued for it. Membership fees are payable thereafter. The amounts are determined from time to time by the Central Committee. (Article 5(3) and 5(4))
Membership
Is there an oath?
Yes. On admission a member subscribes to the SWAPO Party Oath before a duly authorised officer. The Oath appears at Schedule 2 of the Constitution. (Article 5(3))
Membership
How is the Party structured?
From the Section upward: Section, Branch, District, Region, and the national organs. The Section is the basic organ of the Party and is established in residential areas, requiring between fifteen and one hundred members. Districts correspond to constituencies and Regions to Namibia's administrative regions. (Articles 38, 46, 47)
Party structures
What are the Party wings?
There are three: the Youth League, open to members aged eighteen to thirty-five; the Women's Council, open to women members aged eighteen and above; and the Elders' Council, open to members aged fifty and above. In each case a person must be a member of the Party first. (Articles 48, 49 and 50)
Wings
May every member vote?
A member has the right to vote at meetings on matters discussed, provided they are in good standing. (Article 10(1)(d))
Rights and duties
What happens to my personal information?
Party membership is sensitive personal information and is treated as such. Access follows the office a person holds: a branch official sees their branch, a regional official their region. Every consequential action is recorded in an audit trail that cannot be edited or deleted.
Privacy
Can I leave the Party?
Membership may be terminated by voluntary resignation. Admission and membership fees are not refunded on resignation. (Article 6(1)(a) and 6(3))
Membership