The recent election of Uahekua Herunga as deputy Swapo secretary general has added fuel to the already intense battle for political dominance in Kunene, a region that is currently dominated by the United Democratic Front 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 could soon change, largely due to Herunga’s ascendance to the top echelons of the ruling party. Herunga was born and molded in Kunene.
Can’t ignore
While acknowledging that his party has retained a grip on Kunene, UDF vice president and parliamentarian Dudu Murorua said Herunga’s influence cannot be ignored.
“I don’t see [Herunga’s DSG position] as a threat. Uahekua was already there, he was also a minister himself. But the fact of the matter is that it is something that we cannot just ignore. It is a challenge that we have to work on. As a political party, we cannot just say he won’t do anything,” he observed.
“It is a challenge that we have to take head-on. We have to be prepared to start to work early on it. It will be the greatest mistake that we’re going to make if we write it off, and say he’s not going to do anything at all. That does not only apply to the UDF and PDM. It applies across the board, to all other opposition parties.”
What was clear from Murorua, however, was the symbiotic relationship that exists between the UDF and PDM, particularly in Kunene.
“We, as opposition, need to also find ways and means on how we can join hands. I am honestly happy that we are working together with the PDM, and this is not the first time we are doing it. Throughout all these years, we’ve been building a good relationship, specifically at the regional level,” he continued.
It is Murorua’s view that the public demands that opposition parties join forces and concentrate more on youth inclusivity and women’s empowerment, among other pressing national issues.
Giving an overview of the UDF’s state in the region, he said: “Our people are starting to understand that it is important that opposition parties have to be strengthened. And we are getting more members coming to accept that, and also joining the party.”
Unshaken
While largely echoing Murorua’s sentiments, PDM parliamentarian and Opuwo Urban constituency councillor Ueutjerevi Ngunaihe said they are unshaken by the new developments in the ruling party.
He equated the PDM and UDF’s dominance in Kunene to English footballing fortress Liverpool’s supremacy in European football.
It is permanent, he claimed. “This region is PDM’s homeground,” an upbeat Ngunaihe beamed. On Herunga’s new position in Swapo and potential influence on the political dynamics in the region, he, too, was unfazed.
“We are ready for him and Swapo. Herunga was a minister of tourism. He didn’t have a major impact on development in the region for someone who occupied such a high position. I am not saying he didn’t do anything. But I didn’t see anything tangible that I can testify to, even if I am subpoenaed to court,” Ngunaihe stated.
“Herunga, like any other member of that party, has the right to be elected to any position, so we are unshaken. There is nothing untoward,” he charged.
Ngunaihe is a common face on the ground in the Opuwo Urban constituency, always engaging community members whenever the National Council is in recess, or during his free time.
“The community is faced with a myriad of challenges. As you may know, our economy has not been doing well in recent years. But we try our best with the available resources and with the help of good Samaritans to address them. We cannot just rely on the government,” he said.
He pointed to the construction of two hostel blocks at the Okorosave Primary School – some 25 kilometres south of Opuwo – and the provision of mattresses as well as rehabilitation of an earth dam there. He added the 10 learners and students who are funded through his office, and several kindergartens which were constructed this year, as some of the key highlights.
Blessing
For deputy international relations’ minister Jenelly Matundu, who also hails from Kunene, Herunga’s rise to the apex Swapo leadership is a blessing to the region.
Matundu, who is also a Swapo national leader assigned to Kunene, added that it is a milestone for the region as Herunga became the first individual from the region to make it to the top four leadership positions in the former liberation movement.
“We [Kunene] now have a say in that top structure through comrade Herunga. We have hope that our voice, as a region, will reach the top structure of the party. It is something we needed in terms of development,” she said. Matundu hastened to say the Swapo manifesto was being implemented through different government offices, ministries and agencies.
“So, with him being there, comrade Herunga may pick up an issue in the region, and directly whisper it to the top four. That is something we have welcomed with both hands,” she added.
With all eyes now fixed on the 2024 general elections and regional councils and local authorities’ election a year later, Matundu said Swapo is working around the clock to reclaim its former glory days. She then demystified assertions that Swapo’s performance was only dismal in Kunene.
Kunene, she said, cannot be looked at in isolation. “Our aim is to bring back those constituencies that we’ve lost, and bring back our seats in the National Assembly. That can only be done by improving unity amongst ourselves and through mobilisation,” she reasoned.
She added: “We know that we have gone through many challenges that have brought the party down, one being the Fishrot scandal, which was just released on the eve of elections. These people wanted to send a message in an effort to unseat the Swapo party.
“We have learned a lesson, and we have a strong belief that through our hard work, we will get those constituencies back as we are increasing our mobilisation.”
-emumbuu@nepc.com.na