Independent candidate for the Samora Machel constituency Henry Ngenomesho has promised to advance the cause of street vendors and hawkers to allow them to get into the mainstream of the economy. Ngenomesho launched his election manifesto last week Saturday, a mere two weeks before the regional council and local authority elections.

He will be contesting for the position of constituency councillor against Swapo’s Nestor Kalola, Nudo’s Godfried Kauhanda, Isak Rooi of the Landless People’s Movement (LPM), Ewaldine Tjaimi of PDM and fellow independent candidates Johannes Kaulumbwa and Erastus Kupololo. “For the past 10 years I have observed how our citizens stand up and do something for themselves and I realised that they need a very serious support system as to mentor them and introduce them to the financial possibility to acquire grants based on the vendors type of business,” said Ngenomesho.

He said, if elected, he will also advise the local authority office bearers to map out fair strategies that harmonise the lives of street vendors. 
“The street vendors are the pillar of the Namibian economy. Therefore, they need urgent attention because they have individual responsibilities to attend to such as pay school fees and all the essential needs of their children. If elected as the regional councillor, I will establish the committee of the informal traders to represent others,” he said.

Samora Machel constituency has 45 962 registered voters and it covers Wanaheda, Greenwell Matongo, Goreangab and part of Havana.
Ngenomesho said he would ensure sound financial management systems under the Constituency Development Fund and establish the constituency trust fund that will support the people of Samora Machel. He said the responsible committee to serve the constituency trust fund would adopt a ‘carrot and stick’ approach by releasing funds for well-defined purposes. “As the regional councillor with the mandate from the electorates, I will withhold the funds when there are allegations of mismanagement and corruption,” he said.
– ktjitemisa@nepc.com.na