Obrein Simasiku

OMUTHIYA - A student leader and youth activist, who is standing as an independent candidate, says he has amassed a wealth of experience and has crafted a workable plan for the Oniipa constituency.

The 32-year-old Oscar Shikongo is competing for top honours against candidates from the ruling party, Swapo, Popular Democratic Movement, Landless People’s Movement as well as the Independent Patriots for Change for next week’s regional council election.

“My motto is to put Oniipa constituency under reconstruction by bringing much needed services. Among such will be the provision of mass public toilets, built modern and an advanced open market to allow community members to trade freely,” Shikongo, who is an engineering student, said.
“In addition, I will advocate for the creation of a tourism centre to promote the town and entire constituency.”

He also promised to promote youth participation in meaningful activities and has vowed to construct recreational facilities, if elected into power.
“I will also push for community dams to provide water to rural areas, especially for animal consumption. We also need a police station in the constituency as we are currently served from Onayena. Furthermore, there is a need of higher learning institutions where learners can further their studies without travelling far,” he added.

Shikongo also wishes to establish a youth campaign against drugs and alcohol. The youthful Shikongo has served previously as the College of the Arts’ SRC for sports, culture and recreation, before being elected as SRC president from 2014/15. 

He was then subsequently elected into the ranks of the Namibia National Students Organisation (Nanso) in June 2016 as sports and culture secretary for the Khomas region. 
He is currently serving in the newly established Students Union of Namibia as deputy secretary general.