Since relinquishing his National Assembly seat about a fortnight ago, Rally for Democracy and Progress president Mike Kavekotora has gone into campaign mode, making the recruitment of new members his chief priority. Over the weekend, the politician was in Kunene, welcoming new members in different villages. In his campaign address, Kavekotora primarily blamed Swapo and the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) – the dominant parties in the area – for failing the nation and Kunene in particular.
“Swapo is buying and allocating money for condoms while the nation is facing serious challenges like the imminent drought, poverty and unemployment,” he told a crowd of about 60 at Omoa, a village some 80 kilometres south of Kunene’s regional capital Opuwo.
The former parliamentarian said it is time for Namibian voters to start exercising their rights, based on issues.
He added that the now-cancelled N$650 million tender to supply condoms and surgical gloves is evidence enough that the government’s priorities are misplaced. He then turned his focus to the Kunene Regional Council.
Recently, New Era reported that out of the N$197 million allocated to the region, N$56 million will be returned to Treasury. This, Kavekotora said, is uncalled for. PDM, together with the United Democratic Front, control the council at a political level.
“The return of money could lead to a reduction of future allocations. The status quo must change, and I urge Namibians not to vote with emotions but to reject these two parties at the upcoming elections.
We cannot continue to expect results from people who demonstrated their incompetence beyond doubt,” he charged. Earlier this month, the economist resigned from the National Assembly. He was replaced by Kennedy Shekupakela. While certain quarters have written off the RDP as a key player on the local political chess board, Kavekotora remains adamant that they are still a force to be reckoned with.
He said for as long as corruption remains rampant, unemployment levels remain high, and public resources continue to be distributed in a skewed manner, the RDP has a role to play in the political theatre. At its maiden election in 2009, the RDP secured eight seats in the Assembly.
In 2014, they dropped to only three. Presently, the party has a single MP, Shekupakela.