Rudolf Gaiseb
Jeremia Kuhepa Kaambo wants to occupy the highest office in the land: the presidency.
Kaambo announced his intention to run in November’s presidential election as an independent candidate earlier this week.
He becomes the fourth known Namibian after land activist Job Amupanda, businesswoman Ally Angula, and veteran social justice activist Rosa Namises to reveal to the public their plans to vie for the presidency solo.
A quick desktop search reveals that the little-known Kaambo has been a staunch restorative justice activist, particularly in the fight for just reparations, an apology, and atonement for the genocide imperial Germany unleashed on the Oveherero and Nama communities more than a century ago.
He is promising a socialist approach to managing the country’s resources.
“In my profound respect for all of the disadvantaged communities and for the just cause of the people, as much as I find fault with political parties as being a disadvantage against true freedom and the rule of law, I stand as an independent candidate for election to the position of president—so that the government will not be so controlled by the unrepresentative ambitions of political parties—in order to respect and unite all of the people of Namibia, regardless of their tribal or political affiliations,” Kaambo says in what appears to be his maiden introduction to mainstream politics.
He continues: “Namibia is a rich country in terms of its natural resources. Not only in the great mineral wealth of its lands, but also in fish foods and animal husbandry, and also with a strong tourism appeal.
Moreover, with a modest-sized population of three million people, why is our economy allowing the majority of our citizens to live in abject poverty and substandard, makeshift shacks, with so many school dropouts and children going to sleep hungry?”
Under his leadership, the audacious Kaambo says they will establish offices of expertise in the very areas from which all Namibians can benefit from the fair distribution of the blessed natural resources.
He will also ensure that no one area or tribe in Namibia will be developed or favoured to the detriment of others.
“No more having only shacks to live in; our people all deserve much better,” he adds.
Reacting to the new developments, Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) spokesperson Mulauli Siluka says, “we do not receive applications from independent candidates outside of the prescribed cycle.”
According to ECN, “the nomination and registration of any independent presidential candidate will be on 14 October 2024, and 16 October 2024 for political parties, not now,” Siluka said.