Africa-Press – Namibia. Swapo has finalised its candidate selections for six constituencies and their respective local authorities in the Kunene region ahead of November’s regional council and local authority elections.
The confirmations follow district conferences held at the Opuwo Rural, Opuwo Urban, Epupa, Outjo, Kamanjab, and Sesfontein constituencies.
Khorixas is slated to hold its primary conference next weekend.
Following its crushing defeat to the Popular Democratic Movement, which won the Opuwo Urban constituency, as well as the United Democratic Front, which secured Kamanjab and Khorixas and Sesfontein over four years ago, Swapo has been working to strengthen its support and reclaim some of its stronghold constituencies.
As the party seeks to reclaim Kunene’s regional capital, Opuwo Urban constituency and the Opuwo Town Council, Swapo elected a team of youthful candidates.
This includes David Kulunga, who emerged victorious for Opuwo Urban after defeating Tjaarukire Kakuva with 41 votes to 29.
For the Opuwo local authority, the party elected Tuuakoveni Kenaumue, who will lead along with incumbent councillors Ruth Nderura and Victorino Simon, Anna-Marie Hamutumbangela, Richard Tjazapi, Wilhemina Nashiua, and Mavesekirepi Tjipundi.
The Outjo constituency has elected Kleofas Geingob, who defeated incumbent councillor Johanness Antsino with 76 votes to 16.
Additionally, Swapo has elected Laurence Kandundu, Belinda Guruses, Esra Haimbondi, Klementina Geises, Petro Gam-Gaibeb, Helena Heigauses, and Moses Ndumba as candidates for the Outjo local authority elections.
Kamanjab, however, has decided to retain incumbent councillor Nikodemus Amutenya, who contested unchallenged, while the village council will be represented by Elly Aebes, Samora Katjau, Pinehas Daniel, Wellery Katjau and Raphael Shipulwa.
The Opuwo Rural constituency will be represented by Kazepanda Tjambiru, who contested unchallenged, with Epupa represented by Verihiva Tjipundi, who defeated Jan Van der Merwe with 55 votes to 47.
Meanwhile, Titus Rungondo has once again been entrusted to lead the party at Sesfontein.
“The weekend conferences serve as evidence of these efforts,” Kunene regional coordinator Julius Kaujova said in an interview with Nampa on Monday.
He added that 99% of the party’s district conferences were completed in a “free and fair process,” expressing confidence in the newly elected candidates.
“We had a fair process, and I would like to congratulate all the candidates who succeeded in the conference. I would also remind them to work as a team and remain united for a common cause,” Kaujova said.
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