Gaobaeb emerges as UDF president at weekend congress

Sesfontein constituency councillor and Kunene Regional Council chairperson Hendrik Gaobaeb over the weekend secured victory to become the new president of the United Democratic Front (UDF).

He was elected at the party’s elective congress at Swakopmund.

Gaobaeb clinched the presidency with 127 votes, surpassing former president Apius !Auchab, who received 77 votes, and vice president Dudu Murorua, who garnered 54 votes.

Both !Auchab and Murorua have been leading the party since its last elective congress in 2013.

Gaobaeb during his campaign pledged to declare the party’s assets within seven days of taking office, emphasising transparency and accountability.

He also expressed his commitment to expanding the party’s influence, particularly by involving youth and women in key leadership positions.

Gaobaeb outlined his vision for the party, aiming to make the UDF visible in all 14 regions of Namibia within six months after the congress.

Additionally, he emphasised a separation of powers, saying he would not be part of the parliamentary candidate list and would solely serve as UDF president.

In other results, the party’s acting youth league secretary general, Michael Skini, lost the vice president position to Nico Somaeb.

Another significant loss is that of secretary general Hage Gawaseb, who only managed to amass 50 votes against former Arandis local authority councillor Daniel Tsaneb, who received 150 votes.

Tsaneb will be deputised by Karibib mayor Davey van Wyk.

The only woman in the party’s top structure is Seriane Mukuta, who is the party’s national treasurer.

Other key positions were assigned to Eberth Gariseb as deputy treasurer, Mabasen /Narib as information and publicity officer, and Moritz Geingob as national organiser.

/Narib said the party would have a media briefing on Monday to iron out issues such as the treasurer’s report and other policy matters that were not discussed at the conference.