Lahja Nashuuta
Former National Unity Democratic Organisation (NUDO) secretary general Josef Kauandenge officially launched his new political formation, the Association for Localised Interests (Asoli), in Windhoek last week.
Addressing the gathering, Kauandenge emphasised that Asoli is not just another name on the ballot paper,but “a vision born from frustration, shaped by experience and fuelled by a hunger for justice and transformation.”
Using a metaphor to illustrate the spirit of his association, Kauandenge said, “Asoli is like an eagle. We don’t mingle with pigeons, or follow noisy crowds. We soar alone above the chaos, above the storms. When the winds roar and the storm rages, the eagle does not cower. It rises higher, using the storm itself to lift it. Like the eagle, we don’t feed on the dead or settle for what’s easy. We hunt fresh prey, staying sharp, strong, and driven by a powerful vision for our people and their future.”
Among those in attendance was Shivela Haraseb, a former Nudo councillor, will serve as the secretary general of the association painted a stark picture of modern-day Windhoek, where nearly 200 000 people live in shacks without running water, electricity or dignity.
“This is unacceptable. This cannot be the legacy of our independence. We fought for freedom for all Namibians. But today, only a select few enjoy the fruits of that freedom. The rest remain trapped in poverty, their dreams fenced in by zinc and dust,” he complained.
Kauandenge continued: “We must invest in housing and basic services for those living in shacks. The journey to independence was meant for all Namibians, not just a privileged few while the majority wallows in poverty.”
He criticised the state of governance in Windhoek, calling the current municipality council “a total mess”.
“Our elected councillors continue to prioritise their own comforts and benefits while neglecting the needs of the people who put them in office. This cannot be allowed to continue,” he stressed.
He promised that Asoli would be different, not only in words, but in action. The association, he said, would advocate urgent electrification and water provision in informal settlements, push for affordable housing, and fight for a long-overdue overhaul of the outdated Local Authorities Act.
“At independence, a reform paper was commissioned. It was meant to guide local governance, to realign powers and responsibilities. But for decades, it has gathered dust on a shelf. We will dust it off. We will bring it to life,” Kauandenge vowed.
He also made a bold promise to the elderly. “Asoli will fight for the cancellation of debts owed by pensioners to the municipality. We will install prepaid water and electricity meters to prevent future burdens.”
Photo: Isai Sipunga