After retiring from civic duties, Vetaruhe Kandorozu has been busy farming in efforts to contribute to food security in Namibia.
This former Okakarara constituency councillor intends on being a producer, not only a consumer.
Kandorozu is one of the longest-serving councillors in the country, having been at the forefront of development and transformation of the town for 15 years, before paving way for others in 2020.
He said he misses aiding members of the community now that he is no longer in the councillor position.
“I miss being called and people seeking assistance. I am philanthropic. I am a person who likes to help others to prosper and to get out of tough times after they have faced many odds.”
Kandorozu’s passion is to represent the voiceless, not as a politician but at the administration level.
FAMILY
The 47-year-old father of 11 is married to Magreth Viouje Kandovazu. He said as much as he adores his children and wholeheartedly loves them, they can be annoying at times but at the end of the day, it is nothing but love.
His firstborn, who is 26 years old, is a third-year Unam student pursuing a course in business administration. The rest are between 16 and 3 years old.
“I love them so much and listening to their complaints - Tatee this and that, whining left, right and centre all the time. They keep asking: ‘Tatee, what did you bring for me’? so every time I go home, I make sure I take something nice, either fruit or sweets.”
After a long and exhausting day running errands, the best thing for him is to spend quality time with the family.
“I like listening to the news, and I start to think about how to find solutions to that specific problem. During the weekend, I watch soccer either at the field or on TV, and at night I join the public at the pub or bar to mingle with them. That’s how I distress myself. Making a call to my wife and few friends is enough therapy.”
EARLY LIFE
Kandorozu was born and raised at Okonja, some 200 kilometres southeast of Okakarara in the Omaheke region on the dawn of 9 November 1974.
ACADEMIC LIFE
Kandorozu has a diploma in basic education, a diploma in participatory development methodology, a certificate in local government obtained from the Namibia College of Open Learning, a diploma in local government, and an honours degree in public administration.
FAVOURITE MEAL AND DRINK
“I like coffee. I grew up with my grandmother who stayed for years in Lüderitz with the Nama community and as a result, she influenced me to love and admire coffee or tea any time. We were taught to make tea at the age of 6. I take only two spoons of sugar.”
He is also a fan of water and ginger, and his home mixture is passion fruit with lime and water. When it comes to food, he likes vegetables, fruit, meat, Omaere, and Omatuka with little sugar.
“Fish turns out to be my healthy diet of late. And yes, I can make very nice meat and porridge. With porridge, I can add many ingredients such as condensed milk, corn, even onions, when you want it, and a little bit of sugar. Very nice! For sure, Omaze wozongombe will always make me the best cook.”
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF VETAA
He jogs every morning for about 7km and does some sit-ups. Then daily work starts: cattle rearing, going around the camps fixing fences and helping with construction work, if any. Between all this, he listens to the radio to get an update on what is going around the world, politics and business.
DID YOU KNOW?
Kandorozu opened a Nanso office at the Dr Lemmer High School in Rehoboth in 1994 and in 1995; he participated in the Nanso congress at Okahandja that elected current environment minister Pohamba Shifeta and current justice minister Yvonne Dausab as members.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
“Be ready to provide feedback to the people you are serving at any given time. Be it at Okapana, funerals or weddings. Don’t be selective. Greeting people is the most important quality. The community wants to see in you and saying ‘hi’ means a lot to them. But don’t lie - let the truth take you out of a position, never lie to remain in a position, just let it go.”
- psiririka@nepc.com.na