The Position
The position of Executive Director of the SWAPO Party is new. It was created by the SWAPO Party following a long standing Central Committee resolution to have a high-level human resource pegged at the level of Permanent Secretary in Government. The resource is intended to assist the Secretary General in the day to day administration of the Party. Further, the Executive Director is expected to work with and liaise with SWAPO Party Departments, Wings, Regions, Districts, Branches and Sections in order to bring in efficiency and effectiveness in the administration of the SWAPO Party.
The position reports directly to the top four of the party.
The Incumbent
Comrade Austin M. Samupwa is a Namibian politician. He is presently the Executive Director of the SWAPO Party. In July 2017, Comrade Samupwa was elected Regional Treasurer for the Zambezi Region. Between 2012 to 2017, he was the Regional Information and Mobilisation Officer for the same region. Between 2009 to 2012 he was the Branch Coordinator for Boma, which rendered him a member of the District Executive Committee for the Katima Mulilo Urban District. Comrade Samupwa served the SPYL structures in the Kunene region from 2004 to 2007 and also in Erongo from 2002 to 2004 as Regional Information and Publicity Secretary. From 1989 to 2001, Comrade Samupwa has been an activist in NANSO and SPYL, holding several leadership positions in both organisations.
Professionally, Comrade Samupwa is a teacher. He rose up to the rank of Director of Education from where he was recruited to serve his Party on a full time basis. He holds two Masters' Degrees from The University of Namibia and Universiti Science Malaysia in Management and Leadership and Commerce Education, respectively.
Comrade Samupwa's vision is to see the SWAPO Party administered professionally in line with the modern management practices, without compromising the founding principles of the Party.
