Rudolf Gaiseb
After 20 years in political wilderness and being ridiculed by many, National Democratic Party president Martin Lukato is finally headed to the National Assembly.
This is after the NDP secured one seat during the National Assembly elections last month, after years of roaming Namibian streets, mostly on foot, village to village and from one newsroom to another, to spread the NDP gospel.
Since Lukato’s seat confirmation by Electoral Commission of Namibia chairperson Elsie Nghikembua, social media has been abuzz, with congratulatory and humorous
messages from Namibians from all walks of life.
Hailing from Queensland village, some 60 kilometres west of Katima Mulilo in the Zambezi region, Lukato believes he was ordained by God to form a political party that would free Namibians.
“Together with my cohorts, I will build a new Namibia, ensuring the country’s resources are equally shared among Namibians, leaving no one to suffer,” he said on Tuesday evening, following the announcement of the election results.
The man
Lukato was born on 2 December 1960.
He is married to Edith Lukato and is a father of 12 children, the eldest being 34.
He was baptised on 22 June 1972 and is a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church and headman of Queensland.
Besides serving in law enforcement, he is a freedom fighter and advocate for social justice.
“We want to build a new chapter compared to the past 34 years. I believe in consultation and working together for the common good of the Namibian people, which is to bring development to this country. Poverty should be abolished in Namibia. The resources of this country belong to all Namibians and stakeholders, including all political parties,” Lukato said.
Growth
The NDP was registered with the Electoral Commission of Namibia in 2004.
It was previously known as the Caprivi National Democratic Party.
After contesting elections for years, the NDP’s political breakthrough only came in 2020 when it secured its first seat on the Katima Mulilo Town Council during the Local Authority and Regional Council elections.
After introducing “guerrilla campaign” tactics, he managed to elevate his support, obtaining 6 647 votes in 2024.
Lukato is adamant about continuing to campaign and gaining more seats in Parliament in the next elections.
“We must form a multi-party system. We may form a government of national unity. I do not want to hide it. I am prepared to work with someone, other political parties, and those who have the majority seats, to form a government of national unity.
“I am ready for that. I am not selfish, especially on the things that allow us to decide the best for Namibians together, whether it is from the opposition or from a ruling party, we must work together for the betterment of Namibian people, for the better living standard of our people, and for the development of this country. Our goal is one: to develop this country and ensure that Namibian people continue to enjoy their freedom, which their ancestors fought for,” he said.
Reacting to Lukato’s election breakthrough, political commentator Natjirikasorua Tjirera this week said: “And a lot of people have not taken him seriously, but the singular belief in himself and his party, his convictions, and principles have led and propelled him to Parliament. I really want to see how he will do in Parliament and how the Namibian people will react to him.”
Also weighing in on Lukato, Ndumba Kamwanyah, another pundit, said: “It’s not that they [NDP] really got support, but it’s that the formula of how the votes (for a seat)are calculated that helped some of the parties.”