WINDHOEK- Rudolf Kamburona says he is surprised that his name has appeared on the Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) party list, while he has informed RDP of his intentions to withdraw from active politics. Kamburona, who joined RDP in 2008 immediately after its formation, was elected to number 40 on the party list from the RDP electoral college that ended over the weekend.
However, yesterday Kamburona called to inform New Era of his surprise to see his name on the party list because he has long withdrawn from active politics and has informed his party as such. “I have withdrawn from that, I am now farming and concentrating on business. I do not have time for politics. I was also not part of the college, maybe my name was entered and elected by proxy, but I was not part of that process. I did not attend the meeting. I have withdrawn because I am not available for politics. I wish the party all the best,” Kamburona said from his farm yesterday.
Surprisingly, secretary general Mike Kavekotora, denied any knowledge of Kamburona’s withdrawing from active politics and not wanting a position in the party. “I am not aware of such a communication in writing to my office. Mr Kamburona came in a basket because the pot is very hot. He was one of the ten presidential nominees. He was not part of the delegation to the electoral college physically. I will get in touch with Kamburona and if he wishes that his name be removed then we will do so,” Kavekotora remarked when contacted for comment.
Kamburona, when asked what form of communication he used to indicate his withdrawal, said: “I did not do it in writing. I informed them immediately after the national convention last year [between] November and December. I have informed both the secretary general and also the party president HH [Hidipo Hamutenya] himself who wanted to re-elect me as secretary for agriculture. I have informed all those structures and I even told them before the electoral college.”
Kamburona, who is RDP secretary for agriculture said he did not do so in writing, said it is time to focus his energy on full-time farming, adding that he did enough for RPD, as he served both as a central committee and national executive member over the years.
Kavekotora explained that the party president at his own discretion decide who he want to put on the list after the leadership gave him the power to nominate 10 people he want to be part of the electoral college.
In this case, he said, Hamutenya asked Libolly Haufiku to get in touch with Kamburona to find out if he is available for the electoral college of not. “But he agreed that he is available although he said he will not be there physically,” Kavekotora said.
As for who would replace Kamburona on the party list, Kavekotora said the next person on list will automatically fill his position. All sitting National Assembly lawmakers from the RDP made it to the top of the party’s National Assembly list during its electoral college over the weekend.