Lahja Nashuuta

The charismatic church leader, who heads the True Gospel of Salvation Ministry, will stand under the banner of the Body of Christ Party (BCP), which currently holds one seat in the National Assembly.

Festus leads a congregation with 92 branches across the country, supported by more than 420 pastors. His ambition is to serve as mayor of Helao Nafidi.

In an interview with New Era, Festus insisted there is nothing unusual about men of faith entering governance. He believes that his spiritual calling and life experience have prepared him to serve his community in political office.

“In the Bible, cities and nations were led by men of God. Politics was established by God, and the Bible tells us to be obedient to government because all authority comes from Him,” he explained. “So, it is not wrong for a pastor to stand for council, mayor, or even president,” he said.

Festus, who claimed to have read the Bible 58 times over the past 16 years, emphasised that true leadership must be grounded in God’s principles.

“We need offices to be led by people of light; people who fear God, who understand that holding office is not about enriching yourself or your family, but about serving the community,” he said.

“I’m an apostle, and I’ve been serving for 15 years,” Festus continued. “As a man of God, a man of life, and a man of the people, I felt compelled to stand. Being a pastor does not exclude you from national life. I am a full Namibian, and I have the right to demonstrate my faith,” he argued.

Asked what motivated him to join politics, Festus replied: “I was motivated by the problems and needs of the people. Their struggles are not insurmountable; they can be addressed if the office is occupied by the right person—someone who truly understands and reaches out to them.”

Festus insists that leaders who genuinely fear God are best positioned to provide solutions to the everyday challenges faced by citizens, highlighting access to land, water, and electricity as pressing issues in Helao Nafidi.

A pastor in politics?

Festus argues that his pastoral work gives him a unique perspective on people’s needs.

“People come to us with their problems every day—hunger, poverty, broken families. We know their tears and struggles. That makes us more in touch with the community than many politicians,” he said.

“Politicians visit people during campaigns, even in the deepest rural areas. But once they are in office, they are nowhere to be seen until the next election. That is manipulation. Leadership should be about walking with the people and solving their problems, not hiding behind a desk,” he maintained. When asked how he plans to balance his ministry and political responsibilities, Festus said he is confident he can manage both.

“I am a hardworking man. I serve people spiritually and physically day and night. Being mayor of Helao Nafidi will not overwhelm me; it is a smaller territory compared to the work I already do,” he said.

Festus revealed that his ministry oversees more than 400 pastors nationwide, many of whom run their own congregations under his guidance. “I delegate responsibilities and ensure everything runs smoothly. Leadership is about teamwork, and I apply the same principle in my ministry,” he added.

Beyond party politics

Although he is contesting under the BCP, Festus made it clear that he is not entering politics to push a party agenda.

“I am not going there in the name of a political party. I am going in the name of the community,” he stressed. “People from all parties face the same struggles—hunger, unemployment, poor services. My role will be to serve them regardless of their political affiliation.”

He dismissed concerns that his political involvement could cost him church members.

“If a place provides solutions, people will go there, whether it is run by a pastor or not. I don’t run the church as a business; I serve people, and that will not change.”

As a parting message, Festus offered both a political and spiritual reminder.

“My motivation is to bring real solutions to the community, but I also remind everyone that life is bigger than politics. The rapture can happen at any time. Prepare your ways and your lives so that you may not be left behind,” he said.

-lnashuuta@nepc.com.na