Africa-Press – Namibia. Former National Unity Democratic Organisation secretary general Joseph Kauandenge has refused to surrender his Nudo membership card despite forming a new political entity.
Kauandenge, who recently founded the Association for Localised Interests (Asoli) movement, said his new affiliation has no bearing on Nudo’s political activities.
Kauandenge officially resigned as Nudo secretary general in April but remained an ordinary card-carrying member of the party.
Following the establishment of Asoli and its subsequent registration with the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), talk became rife within Nudo’s top leadership that Kauandenge’s membership be revoked, as they feel his twinning activities between Nudo and Asoli are tantamount to ‘political double-dipping’.
One of Nudo’s leaders who spoke to this publication on condition of anonymity said plans are underway to chuck Kauandenge from the party.
According to the source, the party fears his influence and access to its traditional stronghold areas could harm Nudo in the upcoming regional and local authority elections.
“Look, whether we want it or not, Kauandenge was a long-time Nudo secretary general, and although he has since resigned from that position, he is still very much influential and still has access to key Nudo areas. We have the upcoming regional and local authority elections, and Nudo as a party has plans to redeem itself and do well in our areas of dominance. For that to be achieved, we cannot afford to have someone like Kauandenge, who resigned from his internal party position but still sees the need to carry a Nudo membership card around; it doesn’t make any sense. He must focus on his Asoli and leave Nudo activities out,” said the leader.
He added: “In the coming days, we will release a statement or call a press conference to clear the air around a lot of party issues, including the one of Kauandenge and the upcoming elections. Party supporters must remain calm and maintain their faith in our beloved party. For the upcoming elections, our plan is to take back and dominate all Nudo traditional areas and even expand to others. We have always said Nudo is a party for all Namibians.”
No surrender
In response, Kauandenge yesterday confirmed he was aware of ongoing plans to revoke his Nudo membership but said he will not surrender his membership card “in order to satisfy their egos”.
“So, they are only realising now – for the first time – that I’m a factor? Anyway, I have long perused through the Nudo party constitution, and there is no clause that prevents me from starting an association while still a member of Nudo. If they want to get rid of me, they must formally charge me and outline the constitutional provisions that I have transgressed and then bring me before the disciplinary hearing for the legal doctrine of Audi Alteram Partem (listen to the other side) to be seen to be done. Only then, if they find me guilty, can they expel me from the party,” maintained Kauandenge.
The veteran politician buttressed that his affiliation with Asoli does not affect Nudo in any shape or form, as his association seeks to address bread-and-butter issues at the grassroots level, where ordinary Namibians do not have a voice.
Asoli recently announced it will contest local authority elections, targeting municipalities in the Khomas, Otjozondjupa, Erongo and Oshana regions.
The movement is specifically gunning for seats in the Windhoek, Karibib, Swakopmund, Ongwediva, and Otjiwarongo municipalities in the coming elections slated for 26 November 2025.
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