RUNDU – The newly elected councillor for Rundu Rural constituency in Kavango east, Paulus Mbangu said he has plans to change the affairs of the under-developed constituency.
This will be done by involving the community to play their part.
Mbangu, a former Swapo Party Youth League leader in the region, stood as an independent candidate in the just ended regional council and local authority elections.
He won by 1 846 votes against the Swapo candidate and now former councillor for Rundu Rural, Michael Shikongo who only garnered 654 votes. Shikongo was the councillor for the constituency for the past 16 years. “In the first place, it’s not about what I will bring to the constituency but rather what we will bring to the constituency, because I’m going to form a team to create jobs and reduce poverty and build a better life for all.
“I want every Rundu Rural resident to believe that there is a role for him or her to play in the affairs of the constituency,” Mbangu told New Era.
«Each one of us must play our part and most importantly, our team aspires for unity and cherish it as a fundamental and indivisible gain of our independence. It›s impossible to achieve anything that uplifts the livelihood of our people without unity, therefore, our mantra is unity, progress and development,» he added. Along with his team, Mbangu said they will prioritise developmental projects, which include the provision of water, electricity, and the upgrading of roads as well as proper sanitation to enhance the living conditions of the residents.
Mbangu also reiterated the promise he made during the election campaign to ensure that all inhabitants in Rundu rural have access to potable water during his five-year tenure. He plans to mobilise resources to realise that vision. The incoming councillor also intends to mobilise for better infrastructure and will draw up his master plan for that.
“I will mobilise as well as engage the Roads Authority to upgrade some roads to gravel and I intend to also introduce youth entrepreneurship at the village level by engaging them with experts to open up their minds amongst others,” he said.
He also promises to ensure that the youth do not engage in alcohol and drug abuse as well as tackle teenage pregnancy that ruins the future of many young girls.
Looking at the amount of rainfall and the perennial river in his area, Mbangu said he will engage agricultural experts to introduce the constituency to modern agriculture techniques. “We know that it is clear that this region’s constituencies have been under-developed, there will always be obstacles but we have a strategic plan in place to make sure that we meet the targets at least some.”
Mbangu served the ruling party in various capacities since 1997, including serving as SPYL labour secretary and member of the national executive committee between 2012 and 2017. He has also been serving as the chairperson for Muzokumwe Volunteer Organisation, which advocates for development in Rundu and the two Kavango regions in general. – jmuyamba@nepc.com.na