Loide Jason
Edward Mumbuu
As election day beckons, the Kunene region is once again becoming a key political battleground and a key target for the country’s two biggest political parties, Swapo and the Popular Democratic Movement.
Together, the UDF and PDM run Kunene with six out of seven seats in the Kunene regional council. The PDM is in charge of the Opuwo Urban, Opuwo Rural and Epupa constituencies, while the UDF controls Khorixas, Sesfontein and Kamanjab.
Swapo only leads a single constituency in the region: Outjo.
However, the political dynamics are expected to change, largely due to former environment minister Uahekua Herunga’s ascendancy to the top echelons of the ruling party. Another factor that could play in the ruling party’s favour is the defection of Vipuakuje Muharukua from the PDM to Swapo.
Both were born and moulded in Kunene.
However, those on the ground believe that the duo’s impact on the PDM’s dominance in Kunene is miniscule, if at all there is any, as they rarely command any form of influence in the region.
Just over a week after the man seen as his protégé was canvassing for support, this time for Swapo, PDM leader McHenry Venaani was in Kunene’s Ongongo
village.
It was a fanfare as the village welcomed the charismatic politician, who has cemented himself as a force to be reckoned with, with songs, traditional dances and hymns.
High on his agenda was for the community to lend him their votes for meaningful socio-economic change.
He delivered a stirring address at a star rally in Etanga, about 100 kilometres outside Opuwo in the Epupa constituency of the Kunene region, on Monday.
Speaking under a large tree in an open area near the riverbed, where many supporters had camped overnight in tents to show their commitment, he called on Namibians to rally behind his party for meaningful socio-economic equalities.
“We are a national party that will work for the national interest of our country. Any Namibian who is destitute and suffering from socio-economic inequalities shall be represented by myself. I shall become the president of all the people of Namibia,” Venaani declared, underscoring his vision of national unity and equitable development.
Supporters, some travelling from as far as Omulonga in the Ruacana constituency, gathered beneath the tree, which was adorned with the PDM’s red, blue and white colours.
The Ovahimba people, dressed in their traditional attire, added vibrancy to the occasion, reflecting the cultural diversity the PDM seeks to represent.
Muharukua
A little over a week ago, Muharukua, who dumped the PDM to join Swapo earlier this year, was in Kunene, preaching the Swapo gospel ahead of his unveiling this weekend.
As if to fertilise the ground, he said, “The journey that I have taken is one of brave people. Swapo in Kaokoland is for the brave, not cowards. I have been castigated and gossiped about. But the positive thing is that words will never drill holes into your body because if it worked, I would be having holes all over my body,” Muharukua stated.
Gloves have seemingly been taken off between Venaani and Muharukua. It is now knuckle-to-knuckle.
Muharukua was addressing a crowd in Ongongo village, which was earlier known as a “no-go area” for Swapo.
It is a PDM stronghold.
“It is my responsibility to ensure that the Namibian government, Swapo of Namibia, dominates in Kaokoland [northern Kunene] so that the future of young people can look like the rest of the country. The PDM has failed to deliver in this region,” he said, taking a jibe at his former political home.
He will be unveiled in Opuwo at a Swapo star rally this Saturday.
Swapo deputy secretary general Herunga said they expect to unveil more members alongside Muharukua.
Etanga rally
Back to Etanga, many attendees expressed their eagerness to hear Venaani’s message. “We want to hear what the president will tell us,” said one supporter, who preferred not to be named.
The event began with remarks from the regional coordinator, who urged PDM followers to remain vigilant against rivals trying to tarnish the party’s image for personal gain.
Opuwo mayor Rosa Mbinge-Tjeundo echoed this sentiment, encouraging supporters to discern the messages from political adversaries, and to stay committed to the party’s vision.
When Venaani took to the stage, emotions ran high as he addressed recent personal attacks and salvos from Muharukua.
In response, he emphasised his long-standing commitment to the Namibian people, referencing both the party’s and his personal contributions to communities in need.
National movement
“We have assisted children who tragically died in the Zambezi region after suffocating while playing in an old, non-functioning deep freezer outside their home. We bought coffins for them, and helped with funeral arrangements,” Venaani shared.
“There are two people who suffocated in the Omusati region while digging a well, and our party is in touch with the family to see how we can assist. We are a party of all people. We are not only a party for the Ovahimba and Hereros; we are here for every Namibian.”
His speech centred around the PDM’s dedication to economic empowerment and job-creation through local manufacturing. The opposition leader outlined his vision of transforming Namibia’s agricultural sector, using the example of growing tomatoes and establishing local processing plants to create jobs and reduce unemployment.
“If I revolutionise agriculture and plant tomatoes here, those tomatoes will be processed into tomato sauce. That way, people won’t have to leave their communities to find jobs. I’ll put the factory here in one constituency so that 400 people can make tomato sauce, and Namibia can export it to other countries.”
However, Venaani stressed that water access is essential for such developments to succeed. “Without water, we cannot address our poverty,” he said, emphasising the need for infrastructure investment to support local industry and agricultural expansion.
Above pettiness
As the rally continued, he urged all political parties to maintain dignity in their campaigns, and avoid exploiting the vulnerabilities of Namibians for votes.
He wants parties and their leaders to rise above pettiness by addressing bread-and- butter issues in their campaigns, rather than attacking the personalities of their rivals.
“Even if campaigns are expensive, let’s treat Namibians with dignity. Let’s maintain the rule of law, no violence, and respect in our conversations,” the seasoned politician said.
The PDM leader proudly announced that the party had gained significant support, even in former Swapo strongholds like the Etanga area, and called on young Namibians to lend their votes to bring about socio-economic change. “I’m a young, energetic leader with a vision. Please lend me your vote to bring about socio-economic change in your lifetime. It is time for young people to fight for jobs,” he said, appealing to the 71% of the population under 30.
Venaani’s rally in Etanga marked a pivotal moment for the PDM’s campaign as the party works to challenge the dominance of Swapo, and introduce a new era of political and economic reform across Namibia.