KEETMANSHOOP – The regional coordinator of Swapo in //Kharas Region, Matheus Mumbala, has distanced himself from media speculation that he has been lobbying to become the governor of the region.
Speaking at the party’s regional headquarters on Monday he squashed media reports he is in line to succeed Bernadus Swartbooi the former governor who was last week appointed as Deputy Minister of Land Reform.
“That is from The Namibian, it’s not from the president, it’s not from the party, we don’t know anything about that,” said Mumbala.
He however indicated should that responsibility be bestowed upon him, he would have no problem leading the region as he is “very capable and already leading the region in my current capacity as regional coordinator”.
Media reports indicated Mumbala’s name surfaced among those from whom the next //Kharas governor would be chosen, shortly after he warned party members against coordinating mass land applications.
Mumbala however said the focus is now on winning the upcoming regional and local authority elections as “it’s of utmost importance to have control of local authorities”.
He emphasised he was busy putting mechanisms in place to make sure Swapo captures all seats at regional level.
He said winning the Presidential and National Assembly elections alone was not enough.
“It doesn’t help we are running central government but not governing local authorities, the basic government,” he stressed.
Mumbala also praised the new president Hage Geingob and his Cabinet saying he was impressed with the choice of ministers and more impressed with the creation of the Ministry of Land Reform and the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development.
He urged people to support the president and his new Cabinet and called on the media to refrain from looking at the negative only but also to focus on the positive.