Tough contests expected in Karas

KEETMANSHOOP – A tough battle can be expected in certain constituencies in the Karas Region during the November elections.

Whereas the Luederitz and Oranjemund Constituencies are Swapo strongholds, four others are up for grabs. One of the toughest battles is expected in the Berseba Constituency.The Democratic Turnhalle Alliance (DTA), Swapo, the Congress of Democrats (CoD) and the Republican Party (RP) have all fielded strong candidates who have good standing in the community.Current Swapo Member of Parliament David Boois will have to defeat DTA veteran politician Johannes Hupita, CoD strongman Henry Humphries and the RP’s David Salomon Isaacks if the ruling party is to retain this constituency.Hupita enjoys strong support in the Blouwes and Tses areas; Humphries is expected to draw support from the Gainachas and Bethanie areas; while Boois should easily gain support in Berseba and Vaalgras.Isaacks is the dark horse in this race and represents a party that is still relatively unknown in the constituency.However, the contest everybody is talking about will be the showdown between Hilma Nicanor (Swapo) and Kauna Schroder (CoD) for the Keetmanshoop Urban Constituency.Both women are highly regarded.Nicanor is the Swapo Regional Co-ordinator for Karas and Schroder a local Pastor and youth leader.However, former community activist and now DTA candidate Ernst Jash should not be written off just yet.The Keetmanshoop Rural Constituency, traditionally a DTA stronghold, appears to be up for grabs by any of the three parties – DTA, Swapo and CoD.The chances are that Swapo will retain the Karasburg Constituency if the last local authority elections are anything to go by.- NampaOne of the toughest battles is expected in the Berseba Constituency.The Democratic Turnhalle Alliance (DTA), Swapo, the Congress of Democrats (CoD) and the Republican Party (RP) have all fielded strong candidates who have good standing in the community.Current Swapo Member of Parliament David Boois will have to defeat DTA veteran politician Johannes Hupita, CoD strongman Henry Humphries and the RP’s David Salomon Isaacks if the ruling party is to retain this constituency.Hupita enjoys strong support in the Blouwes and Tses areas; Humphries is expected to draw support from the Gainachas and Bethanie areas; while Boois should easily gain support in Berseba and Vaalgras.Isaacks is the dark horse in this race and represents a party that is still relatively unknown in the constituency.However, the contest everybody is talking about will be the showdown between Hilma Nicanor (Swapo) and Kauna Schroder (CoD) for the Keetmanshoop Urban Constituency.Both women are highly regarded.Nicanor is the Swapo Regional Co-ordinator for Karas and Schroder a local Pastor and youth leader.However, former community activist and now DTA candidate Ernst Jash should not be written off just yet.The Keetmanshoop Rural Constituency, traditionally a DTA stronghold, appears to be up for grabs by any of the three parties – DTA, Swapo and CoD.The chances are that Swapo will retain the Karasburg Constituency if the last local authority elections are anything to go by.- Nampa