OUTAPI – The Swapo regional leadership for Omusati managed to implement a 50/50 policy by appointing an equal number of men and women to represent them at the upcoming electoral college.
The regional executive consisting of 85 members held an electoral conference on Wednesday at Outapi Traditional Authority Hall.
Lidwina Shapwa, a Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands and Resettlement and former National Council MP, Leevi Katoma, have been elected as the candidates from the region.
Shapwa emerged victorious with 47 votes while Katoma, who is a former councillor for Tsandi Constituency, garnered 43 votes.
The duo emerged victorious from a group of four other candidates including the former Omusati Regional Governor, Sacky Kayone, former Okalongo Constituency Councillor, John Hakaye, Linda Mbwale and Katrina Eilo, who are both in the teaching profession.
Hakaye got 27, Mbwale 23, while Kayone and Eilo each received 15 votes.
Apart from the elected candidates, the regional conference also appointed four delegates to be part of the delegates at the electoral college that will take place later this month in Windhoek. The electoral college serves as a platform where Swapo’s 72 potential candidates for parliament will be elected.
The four are Leonard Shikulo who is a Swapo District Coordinator for Okahao, Maria Namulo a Swapo District Coordinator for Tsandi, Jacob Mwiiyale, Swapo Regional Treasurer for Omusati Region and Secilia Neingo, a Swapo District Coordinator for Ogongo.
Swapo Party national leaders assigned to Omusati Region, including Omusati Region Governor, Sophia Shaningwa, Lempie Lukas and Samuel Chief Ankama oversaw the election.
Ankama who is the Deputy Chairperson of Swapo Party Leaders assigned to Omusati Region appealed to the elected candidates to be true representatives for the party and Omusati Region at large.
Meanwhile, Hakaye who spoke on behalf of all participants said the election was free and fair and he thanked all 85 participants for trusting the elected candidates who will represent the region.
“For those who are going to represent Omusati, they must go carry the pride of Omusati and make sure Omusati is always represented,” he said.