Omusati Regional Governor Sophia Shaningwa, who is set to join the National Assembly this year, tells Nuusita Ashipala that she is leaving the region better off than it was four years ago when she assumed its political leadership.
You’ve been governor here for nearly four years. What have been your notable achievements?
I should first and foremost thank the people of Omusati Region for having supported my office and for the co-operation given throughout the four years I spent in Omusati. It is so true that my journey to parliament was not only paved by the people of Omusati alone but it was a combined effort of the broader participation of many other people from the 14 regions in the country and I thank them dearly.
For me and many who successfully preceded us in leadership at various levels, teamwork is the key. The projects are many and these are projects that are in the 2011-2015 budget.
Omusati witnessed the construction of Omakange-Iitananga road, finalised to bitumen standards.
However, the Tsandi-Onesi gravel road is on the priority lies the master plan to be tarred.
Omugulugwombashe gravel road has been brought to the attention of the authority of road developments to be tarred and in unison we agreed.
In terms of agriculture, the Etunda government green scheme got a considerable investment and several extensions were added with the required infrastructure.
In terms of safety and security, Oshifo police station and barracks, Okapalelona and Omahenene police stations, Kasamane border post and immigration and Uutsima Police Station were all completed. In addition, the Omusati Police Regional Head Quarters is at roof level, under construction. The list is long.
In terms of the administration of justice, the Outapi Magistrate’s Court was beautifully completed and is functional.
On education, Onawa Secondary School added to many other secondary schools built during the time of my predecessors. High schools were renovated and new ones built in Okahao and Onamatanga .
Health-wise, clinics were built during my tenure as governor and added to those that I found.
On local government, my immediate reporting line as governor was and still is with the Regional and Local Government Housing and Rural Development minister. Therefore, I must report to the residents of Omusati that development in Oshikuku, Ruacana, Okahao and Outapi speaks for itself. Credit goes to my team!
And what were the challenges during your tenure?
There were many and there still remain a lot of them, but I heavily rely and believe in teamwork and it is my belief that together we shall make it. Although there were many primary schools built and upgraded, I must indicate that there are children who are still being taught under trees and in traditional huts and this is a challenge that government shall deal with. Of course, I must appreciate the fact that the home affairs ministry has really pulled up though the fact remains that too many people in Omusati still do not have national documents.
Should Omusati residents expect special treatment from their ex-governor in the future?
On this one I must be frank and tell my people of Omusati that this time in parliament shall not only be for Omusati but I shall be acting with an eagle eye to look after Namibia though Omusati shall not be left out.
What pertinent issues do you intend to tackle once sworn in as an MP?
My colleagues and I would go to parliament to add value on what we will find. The previous members have really tried their best. What one desires is enforcing those laws and maybe panel-beat here and there. Providing housing to the low-income [earners] would be the centre of my attention and seeking ideas for job creation would be the other one, especially for the rural people. This is because the influx from rural to urban is huge, costing the cities chunks in terms of service delivery and land allocation. Issues of flood and water conservation shall also be my interest. Issues of addressing national documents shall also be a topic to be looked into. As a team, we shall talk and add value to what we shall find. I know it is a sensitive issue but the fact remains we have Grade 12 learners who don’t possess national documents because of various reasons that need to be looked at.
Apparently, some funds are sent back to treasury by the end of the financial year as well as tender awarding/location and duration. I think these are issues worth looking at.
Omusati is still haunted by the N$20 million toilet saga. Have you personally looked into that matter?
I must really tell the public that this was not during my time and I was not requested to investigate. Time and again many people mentioned this issue and expected me to personally have it solved. I must be honest with you that things that are not right should be dealt with by the system and not by individuals. The issue of toilets is still with the Anti-Corruption Commission.
President Pohamba appointed you to serve the people of Omusati. Why are you leaving the region for parliament?
This is not a demotion neither an inability to run the regions. Some governors, including myself, were automatic candidates from the Swapo electoral college. I had a choice to decline nomination at the electoral college but I must also move up to give room to others. Why should I remain at the same position for ages? The grooming system must work. I have done my contribution in two regions – Omusati and Khomas – altogether for 11 years. I thank my appointing authority, His Excellency President Hifikepunye Pohamba and the entire populace who entrusted me with this honourable assignment and I thank God who kept me and granted me the wisdom and strength to lead.
Last year, you publicly revealed the supposed formation of the Ongandjera People’s Party?
I will not jump the gun by commenting on that yet.
You often refer to yourself as a soldier…
[Chuckles] Thank you very much that you seriously want to know whether I can even hold a gun. There is a level of underestimation out there. I was provoked by the colonialists and that situation made me leave Namibia. I humbly request you to follow my step back as far as my participation in the liberation struggle is concerned, starting from my village. Go to my school, Ongwediva, Oshikushashipya, Etayi Constituency today. Go to Odibo where I passed through when I left this country.It is not about how loud you speak but it is about what you do when responsibilities are given to you and the execution thereof. I still want to make it categorically clear that I went through military training disciplines and I’m a proud PLAN fighter trained and deployed. Those underestimating these credentials I can only say sorry, because kokapya ka Kahamba ihatu shuna ko ali (we are not going back to war). Guns are not sweets – they kill and they must be treated with outmost care!
On top of that I was a political commissar of PLAN entrusted to lead the first expatriates back to Namibia under the supervision of the United Nations. And mind you, when I returned from exile with other comrades I landed in Ondangwa and not Windhoek.
What were your other roles in the liberation struggle?
You also want to know whom I commanded when we returned from exile? I want to be frank with you that not only did I command the colleagues when we returned home, but I organised a team of youthful Namibians that I commanded from Ongwediva to join the liberation struggle with me up until we were connected to the PLAN fighters in Odibo in Ohangwena Region and crossed the border. I was not assisted to leave for the liberation struggle. I left my motherland voluntarily with my team.
Lastly, as a matter of order, I advise that my political CV is with Swapo Party.
Apart from being a trained soldier, do you possess any academic credentials necessary to make you a formidable lawmaker?
I am a proud graduate of the Soviet Union – a diploma holder, credit union promoter, proud KFW consul and Keryy McNamara Architect (Namibia) graduate, and graduate of Institute of Marketing and Management where I received a certificate in Business Administration from the Republic of Mauritius. In addition, I was one of the first board of directors of NHE and a marketing and loan administrator and debt collection officer at NHE for 10 years.
Politically, I am a proud first woman governor for Khomas Region for seven years, member of the central committee by the will of the fellow Swapo cadres for eight years. I was also regional councillor for Windhoek West Constituency and governor of Omusati region for four years.