KOȄS – Newly elected Keetmanshoop rural constituency councillor Willem Labuschagne, who ran on the ticket of the Landless People’s Movement (LPM), said plans on the way forward will not be his exclusively, but rather those that were strategised by the party.
This was his statement when probed after being declared as the successful contestant, following elections last Monday, to fill the vacant Keetmanshoop rural constituency councillor position.
The spot had been left vacant by the recall of former LPM incumbent, Gerrit Witbooi.
“Plans to be carried out for the electorate in the constituency will be in collaboration with the Landless People’s Movement’s agenda, but what I can say is it will focus more on developing and uplifting our people to maintain sustainability,” Labuschagne explained.
He continued that plans will involve stimulating local economic growth and ensuring constituency residents become employed or self-employed so they can earn a decent income to uplift their sense of ownership and pride.
“It was after I read the LPM manifesto and also realised they are the only party that wants to correct the mistakes of the colonial era past in the country that I heeded the call of our leader and chief change campaigner Bernadus Swartbooi by availing myself to stand as LPM’s dully nominated candidate for the recently-concluded elections,” said Labuschagne.
During a previous interview with this publication, Labuschagne said he started a community garden five years ago on a plot outside his house.
“We had two harvests of onions, beetroot, carrots and sweet potato. We gave those working at the project some of the produce, some to school hostels, took some for own consumption and thereafter sold the rest to the community at very low, affordable prices,” Labuschagne added.
The councillor continued that plans are also underway with Koës Agricultural Trading and government at large to soon open a training facility to capacitate residents in the south-eastern village.
“The aim is to train young men in areas of welding, woodwork and auto mechanic skills, and women in secretarial, admin and hairdressing skills to secure future employment opportunities,” he stated.
He continued that another project in the pipeline is to supply residents on the outskirts of Koës with solar-powered water and electricity.
“All materials are available, and the village council wants to give 12 families these services during the infant stage – whereafter it will be rolled out to others in the long run,” he added.
Another project on the horizon is a small livestock initiative to assist people to become more self-sustainable.
“This will be done on a 60/40% profit-sharing base, where beneficiaries will get 60% of the off-spring born to increase their animal numbers, whilst the village council will support more farmers with the remaining 40%,” said Labuschagne.
Meanwhile, //Kharas regional council chairperson Joseph Isaacks, who doubles as LPM councillor for Keetmanshoop urban constituency, said, as anticipated, the LPM came out victorious in the recent election.
“We are happy our supporters corresponded to their commitments by voting in favour of LPM,” he said.
Isaacks continued that it was their important mission to ensure the governance of //Kharas region is retained by LPM.
“The way forward now for our political leadership is to take the region to the next level of development and prosperity,” he said.
Meanwhile, Swapo party //Kharas regional coordinator Mattheus Mumbala said the party has accepted the outcome of the recent elections, adding it will always support democracy in an independent Namibia.
“We now have to go back to the drawing board to establish where we went wrong and how to improve on it,” he vowed.
The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), in a recent media statement, raised the concern that only 43% of registered voters turned up for the recent elections.
“PDM must now go back to the drawing board and reinvent itself as the alternative movement in the country,” the statement reads.
It continued that the political party will from now on aggressively establish strategies to guide it towards the upcoming Presidential/National Assembly and Regional Council/Local Authority elections.
“The Popular Democratic Movement in conclusion wants to express its sincere gratitude to the people of the //Kharas region and in particular those residing in the Keetmanshoop rural constituency who voted for us,” the statement reads. - sklukowski@nepc.com.na