Kaviveterue Virere
Osona village community activist Kephas Hembapu will contest for a seat in the Okahandja municipality during the November local and regional authority elections.
Hembapu, who serves as the constituency coordinator of the Promise Land Residents Association (Plara), is campaigning to represent Osona residents in the municipality. He believes that by having a seat at the council table can the community’s real needs be heard and addressed.
Hembapu is also the chairman of the Osona Homeowners Committee, a role he has held for two years. In this period, he has built relationships with property managers and consistently advocated for residents.
Born in Windhoek, Hembapu was active in school politics as a student leader between 1993 and 2000. After completing school, he studied Media Arts Technology at the College of Arts before moving into the health field, where he earned a Diploma in Community Counselling.
Hembapu says Osona Village is underrepresented in Okahandja municipality.
“For the past four to five years, Osona Village has not had direct representation in the Okahandja Town Council. This lack of representation means our voices are missing when key decisions about Okahandja were made. If this continues, our community will remain underrepresented,” he said.
If elected, Hembapu says he will focus on three main issues. Health is his top priority.
“Most residents do not have medical aid and are forced to travel 14 km to Okahandja for treatment. I plan to engage the Ministry of Health to establish a clinic at the village,” he said.
He also highlighted his efforts to improve safety in Osona.
“Since assuming leadership, I have engaged the Otjozondjupa police regional commander, Commissioner Hidengwa, regarding the possibility of establishing a police presence in Osona. With the support of OPMC and the Homeowners Committee, office space has already been provided for the police. Having police closer to the community will help curb crime and make services such as declarations, statements and certifying documents more accessible,” he said.
The Promise Land Association was formed in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic, when many people in Okahandja lost jobs and could not afford rent. Hembapu says this proves that standing together can bring real change.
Hembapu says his work with Plara has already shown the impact of committed leadership and he now wants to bring the same energy to the council.
“I have served as your activist for the past three years. Give me the chance to serve you in council,” he concluded.