THE ruling Swapo party will start a door-to-door campaign to canvass support for its candidate for the Oshakati East constituency by-elections, Abner Shikongo.
Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa said the party was intensifying its campaign for the by-election, in light of its narrow win in the recent Ondangwa by-election.
Swapo’s Leaonard Negonga edged independent candidate Angelina Immanuel by less than 400 votes to win the Ondangwa council seat last month.
Shaningwa said during the launch of the campaign for the by-election at Oshakati on Saturday that the party will this time around up its campaign game to ensure a landslide victory for its candidate.
“What happened at Ondangwa must not repeat itself here. This time around, dear comrades, I would like to urge and appeal to all Swapo party structures at all levels, from the region to the district, to the branches and sections to campaign vigorously for comrade Shikongo”.
“All Swapo party members, supporters and sympathisers must campaign for him. Let us ensure that everyone votes for Shikongo for unity and team work with all stakeholders in the constituency,” she stated.
Shaningwa further called on all registered party members and supporters of the Oshakati East constituency residing elsewhere around the country to make time to come and cast their votes for Swapo in that constituency.
She added that the Swapo-led government will continue to ensure socio-economic development in various spheres by providing potable water through the rural water supply division; work on rural electrification; ensure road infrastructure development; provide free education for all children; provide quality healthcare; improve social grants to senior citizens, orphans and people with disabilities; and improve public service delivery.
“Fellow comrades, you will all agree with me that Swapo is the only political party that is home to all Namibians, that is entrusted by the majority of Namibians to ensure prosperity for all. It is the only party that made distinctive development possible over the past years,” she said.
Shaningwa noted that Shikongo is a renowned teacher who started his career in 1980, and has been a bona fide member of Swapo since 1970.
“His leadership charisma has earned him success in the sphere of education, and the development of our country. He was involved in the establishment of Nantu, and was assisting Plan fighters inside the country during the days of the national liberation struggle”.
The Oshakati East constituency by-election was necessitated by the death of Lotto Kuushomwa on 27 May.
Shikongo (64) is among those contesting in the upcoming by-election against five other candidates, including an independent.
Kuushomwa had been the councillor for the Oshakati East constituency since 7 December 2004, and served as chairperson of the Oshana Regional Council between 2010 and 2015.
The by-election is scheduled for 24 August at Oshakati.
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