Former Keetmanshoop Rural constituency councillor Elias !Kharuxab said residents should vote for him as a leader who has a clear vision of steering the development agenda towards fruition in the constituency. 

The seat became vacant when the Landless People’s Movement expelled Gerrit Witbooi on 14 February 2023. By law, a by-election must be held within 90 days from the seat being vacated. 

During an interview with New Era, the prospective Swapo Party candidate promised the electorate that if voted into power again, he will complete all projects stalled due to Covid-19 during his reign in office. 

“This include the opening of the south gate at the Keetmanshoop State Hospital, equipping the Krӧnlein Sports Stadium with a swimming pool, the Koës Stadium with a pavilion, working on a tarred road between Keetmanshoop and the Klein Menasse border post via Aroab as well as the envisaged agriculture centre,’’ he enthused. 

In terms of unemployment and poverty in the constituency, he was of the opinion that the situation is not unique to the //Kharas region only as it affects the whole of the country. ‘’We do, however, need concerted supporting efforts from both the public and private sectors to address these challenges,” he said. 

!Kharuxab added that he will closely liaise with the youth ministry and other stakeholders to fast-track youth development programmes, including the provision of training opportunities and skills enhancement interventions. 

“Our region is blessed with abundant natural resources like fish, grapes, dates, diamonds and the envisaged exploration of oil and hydrogen. It is, therefore, imperative that the residents should reap the benefits thereof,” he reasoned. It will also be a priority on his agenda to bring all stakeholders around the table so that citizens in the //Kharas region can feel a sense of ownership of all this wealth-creation projects. 

The veteran politician likewise undertook to ensure that the residents of Krӧnlein, which resorts under the Keetmanshoop Rural constituency, will benefit from development projects and services available. 

“Another burning issue I will address is that of these citizens paying for rates and taxes at the Keetmanshoop municipality, which is an institution falling under the Keetmanshoop Urban constituency. I will thus approach the demarcation committee to address the issue if voted into power,” he continued. 

!Kharuxab then urged those eligible voters who registered to turn up at polling stations in big numbers on 15 May 2023, and to vote for the development of the Keetmanshoop Rural constituency. 

This publication has been informed that !Kharuxab already registered with the Electoral Commission of Namibia as nominated candidate for the Swapo Party during the upcoming by-elections.