While many may perceive his looming exit from Parliament as part of a flotsam from last year’s electoral tidal wave, outgoing National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo) legislator Joseph Kauandenge exits the political arena with his head held high. 

He is a man at peace with himself, and says there is life beyond the cosy chambers of the August House. Nudo performed dismally during last year’s National Assembly elections, where it garnered a paltry 0.98% or 10 687 of the total votes to settle for one seat; a slight reduction from the two seats the party has held since the 2009 elections. 

With the party’s president Utjiua Muinjangue and secretary general Kauandenge both set to vacate Parliament to make way for their incoming sole representative and former Okakarara constituency councillor Vetaruhe Kandorozu, Kauandenge is now looking at life and opportunities beyond Parliament. 

As he prepares to leave office, he wants politicians, especially young parliamentarians, to understand, accept and embrace the temporary nature of public office. “Only two months left for me [before I exit as a member of Parliament], and to go do other important things in life. It has been a privilege for me to serve in the 7th Parliament, and my name will be written in the history books that I was there. But what fascinates me most of the time is that very few of our politicians are able and willing to give chances to others.  Many will go to great lengths to smear the names of others, to fight literally to remain Members of Parliament, regional council or town councils. I have always wondered why,” the politician shared. 

He further buttressed that going to Parliament or becoming a member of the Legislature should not be regarded as the start and end of one’s political career or social life, but should be taken as an opportunity to serve, as leadership is a shared responsibility. 

“Once you get into these positions [parliament], you should know that it is temporary and it is just five years and then if not re-elected, you must go on with your life. I will not fight to remain in a position. I value myself more than any position in this world. 

There is life after these positions, I strongly believe,” added Kauandenge, who is a farmer, businessman and lawyer by profession.

At parliamentary level, Nudo has historically been a perennial average performer as the party gained three seats from the 2004 National Assembly elections, which saw them winning 4.1% of popular votes to secure three out of 78 seats. 

In the 2009 National Assembly elections, Nudo’s representation dropped to two seats, and managed to retain the same seats in the 2014 and 2019 elections until last year’s elections, which saw the party only getting one seat. 

The party’s dwindling representation in Parliament and declining popularity amongst its followers is largely due to the ongoing division and infighting between the last democratically-elected Muinjangue-led leadership and the Barry Rukoro-led splinter group.

-ohembapu@nepc.com.na