Lüderitz
Jan Scholtz, the Constituency Councillor of !Nami#nus, made waves on the political scene last week when he won a primary election that could set the stage for him to return for a second five-year term as constituency councillor.
If he wins in November, following his victory in the primaries, Scholtz could see his tenure as councillor extended until 2020. Scholtz, who is also the chairperson of
//Kharas Regional Council, would thus become the only regional councillor for !Nami#nus – formerly Lüderitz – re-elected to serve a second five-year term after his initial election in December 2010.
From 1992 up to November 2010 all regional councilors in Lüderitz were only elected into office for a five-year term. No councillor has yet been re-elected to serve two consecutive terms. “This is an historical moment,” said an ecstatic Scholtz, who could smell the scent of victory come November, when voting takes place.
He was one of four contestants to compete for the nomination of regional councillor in the primaries. The other contestants were Sackaria Shimwandi, Elizabeth Shiyagaya-Ihalu, Jan Scholtz and the incumbent Lüderitz Mayor Suzan Ndjaleka.
The nominee elections were held last Thursday during an extra-ordinary Swapo Party district conference in the Benguela Hall in Lüderitz. It was overseen by one of the national leaders assigned to the //Kharas Region, Hilma Nicanor, who also serves as Deputy Minister of Veteran Affairs.
Other leaders that supervised the election include the former mayor of Lüderitz, currently a member of parliament, Emilia Amupewa, and Swapo regional coordinator Matheus Mumbala.
At the same conference seven Swapo candidates for the position of local authority councillor were nominated from among 21 candidates.
They are Brigitte Fredericks, Willem Gumende, Helaria Mukapuli – who is currently the Deputy Mayor -, Johannes Abraham, Shipola Shihepo, Calvin Mwiya – the current chairperson of the management committee – and Bessly Makaula.
Lüderitz Mayor Suzan Ndjaleka did not take part in the nominations for the local authority election, as she was a contestant for the regional council post and did not make it.
Hafeni Hamukuaya, who is currently a member of the town council, also did not contest. Two other local councilors, who did not take part, are Abraham Nekomba and Festus Kamati.
Scholtz thanked fellow party members for having put their trust in him to continue in the post that he currently holds. “I believe that we will work together and I believe that we will be victorious in the November elections. I want also to congratulate the new local authority candidates.
“I believe we will work together for the betterment of Lüderitz, with regard to the social and economic problems in our town and !Nami#Nus Constituency. I also want to acknowledge the hard work of the other candidates who were in the race,” Scholtz said.