The adage that “a good dancer knows when to leave the stage” simply implies that it is crucial to recognise when to move on from a situation, even if it has been enjoyable or successful, before it becomes detrimental. It is an expression former National Unity Democratic Organisation secretary general Joseph Kauandenge (JK) claims to live by.
After exiting the proverbial Nudo stage over two weeks ago, Kauandenge erected his own in the form of the Association for Localised Interests (Asoli), the latest kid on the political block.
New Era’s Lahja Nashuuta (LN) this week sat with Kauandenge to unpuzzle the enigma, for while forming Asoli, he vowed to remain a bona fide Nudo member.
LN: Honourable Kauandenge, you’ve been at the forefront of Namibian politics for over 30 years. Can you walk us through your political journey?
JK: My political journey began in 1989, when I joined the DTA. I was deeply influenced by my family’s ties to the party and the broader fight for independence. I worked my way up in the party, starting as a member of the DTA Youth League, and eventually becoming the youth leader. When Nudo split from DTA in 2003, I was part of that transition, and became one of Nudo’s founding members. Over the years, I served as secretary general and later worked as a Member of Parliament and a City councillor for Windhoek. Throughout my political career, I also pursued other interests, like law and music, and built a foundation for business.
LN: You’ve had an extensive career within Nudo. What were your key contributions and achievements in that role?
JK: I believe one of my greatest accomplishments was helping Nudo evolve from being a narrow, ethnic-based party into a national political force. When I joined, the party was struggling with an image issue. Nudo had to move beyond its ethnic roots and appeal to a broader audience, and that’s what I worked on. I travelled the country, particularly to rural areas, to strengthen the party’s presence and appeal to younger voters. In Parliament, I became known for speaking from the heart, often without a script, and for tackling difficult issues head-on. I wanted to reshape the way Nudo was perceived, not just as a party for a specific ethnic group, but as a party for all Namibians.
LN: But despite your efforts, Nudo still faces some challenges. What do you think went wrong?
JK: The biggest challenge I faced was the internal division within Nudo. While we worked hard to move the party away from tribal politics, traditional leaders continued to hold significant influence, often overriding the decisions of elected officials. This parallel structure created confusion and conflict within the party. It became increasingly difficult to implement policies and reforms when key decisions were made outside of formal structures. Additionally, there was a disconnect between the leadership and grassroots members, and in the end, it became clear that the party had lost its relevance and direction.
LN: Critics have suggested that you contributed to the decline of Nudo. How do you respond to that?
JK: I think that view is unfair. Nudo’s struggles began long before I became SG. In fact, by the time I took over, the party was already in disarray. We did everything we could to revive it, but the resistance to change was overwhelming. The internal squabbles, the power struggles, and the lack of a clear, unified vision for the party made it difficult to make progress. It’s frustrating to see people blame me for the situation now, but I stand by the work I did and the reforms I tried to implement. I didn’t want to leave Nudo, but when the leadership became ineffective and the party lost its way, I had to make the difficult decision to move on.
Nudo was already in trouble long before I left. It’s not me who destroyed it. Nudo must take its own course. I am not involved in its burial process.
LN: Are you still a member of Nudo?
JK: Yes, I am still a member of Nudo.
LN: But how can you claim to be a member of the party while also starting a new association?
JK: Anyone who asks me that question must show me where in the Nudo constitution it says I cannot start an association. I’ve read the constitution, and there’s no clause against it. The only restriction is against dual membership in different political parties. I’ve started Asoli, an association aimed at serving the interests and aspirations of the people in Windhoek. It’s not a political party, and I’ve done nothing wrong by starting it.
LN: Will Asoli be competing against Nudo in the local authority elections later this year?
JK: Yes, Asoli will be contesting. But we are not a Nudo faction. Asoli has members from all political parties, not just Nudo members. How does this hurt Nudo? It’s not about helping or destroying Nudo. Asoli is a separate movement with its own goals.
LN: Isn’t it convenient for you to claim membership in Nudo while running Asoli in parallel?
JK: The precedent has been set. Unless Nudo ratifies a new constitution that contradicts what’s currently in place, I’ll continue as I am.
LN: As a lawyer, are you exploiting loopholes in Nudo’s constitution?
JK: No, I am not exploiting any loopholes. Nudo can fire me if they wish, but I’m not going to resign.
LN: What does Asoli stand for, and what are its core priorities?
JK: Asoli stands for localised governance and community-driven solutions. Our top priority is to improve local governance, ensuring that municipal councils, regional authorities, and other local bodies deliver the services people need and expect.
Corruption and mismanagement are rampant at local government levels, and that needs to change.
We also want to focus on economic empowerment, particularly for youth and small businesses. Housing and urban development are critical issues as well. Windhoek and other cities are growing rapidly, and we need a clear plan for sustainable development. Asoli is committed to ensuring that people have a say in the decisions that affect their daily lives, from local infrastructure projects to basic service delivery.
LN: How is Asoli structured, and who is behind it?
JK: Asoli is still in its early stages, but we’ve already received tremendous support from people across Namibia. We’re a civic association, not a political party for now, and our focus is on local elections in 2025. Our members come from various sectors of society: young professionals, entrepreneurs, activists, and concerned citizens. We want to build an inclusive movement, one that brings together people who are frustrated with the current system and who want to see real change. It’s not about partisanship; it’s about creating a platform where people can work together for the common good.
LN: Will Asoli eventually become a fully-fledged political party?
JK: We’re not ruling out the possibility of becoming a political party. If the people demand it, we’ll evolve in that direction. But right now, our focus is on local issues and grassroots empowerment. Asoli is about putting power back in the hands of ordinary people. If that means we eventually need to form a party to achieve our goals, we’ll do so. But we’re not rushing into it; we want to see how the movement grows and how we can truly make a difference at the local level first.
LN: What lessons have you learnt from your time in mainstream politics that you plan to apply in Asoli?
JK: One of the biggest lessons I’ve learnt is that real change happens at the local level. National politics often feels disconnected from the real issues people face every day. People care about their streets, their schools, their health clinics – things that directly affect their quality of life. If we can get local governance right, it will have a ripple effect across the country. Another lesson is that leadership matters. In my time with Nudo, I saw the importance of having a clear vision and being able to communicate it effectively to the public. Without that, you’re just another party in the system.
LN: What’s your vision for Asoli, and how will you ensure its success?
JK: My vision for Asoli is simple: to create a movement that is responsive, transparent, and accountable to the people. We will focus on policies that directly impact citizens’ lives and build a political culture that prioritises service over self-interest. Asoli will be a movement driven by its members, not by one individual. Success will come from the strength of our ideas and the commitment of our supporters. We’re building a platform for ordinary people to have a voice in how their communities are run. That’s the core of Asoli.
LN: Any final thoughts?
JK: The state of Namibian politics today is frustrating. People are disillusioned, and the gap between elected officials and the public continues to widen. Asoli is here to change that. We’re not in this for power; we’re in it for the people. This is about creating a new way of doing politics, one that’s inclusive, transparent, and focused on the real issues. Asoli is the future of Namibian politics.