Swapo says ‘Swartbooi streets’ were not approved; LPM lauds leader’s contribution to development

The decision of the Landless People’s Movement (LPM) to name three streets at three of its strongholds after party leader Bernadus Swartbooi has sparked controversy.

Streets at Oranjemund, Keetmans­hoop and Mariental have been named after the politician.

Swapo’s //Kharas regional coordinator, Matthew Mumbala, says the street renaming was done dubiously.

‘NO APPROVAL’

“Money was spent without proper approval. Ask whether there was approval from the ministry, there was no approval,” he says.

“The funds of the regional council are being used however they want, and they don’t care,” he says.
Mumbala says only Swapo brings about development and change.

“The two regions [//Kharas and Hardap] are deteriorating because there is nothing … just corruption,” he says.

The Local Authority Act gives local authorities the power to regulate the naming of streets and the numbering of houses and buildings. Urban and rural development minister Erastus Utoni did not respond to questions sent to him yesterday regarding whether procedures were followed in the renaming of the streets after the politician.

‘CAMPAIGNING TOOL?’

Political analyst Ben Mulongeni questioned the timing and location of the street renaming.

“This sounds like a campaigning tool to advertise him for the looming elections,” he says.

“There have been complaints in the past by communities that streets in the country are named after Swapo leaders when there are other political leaders from other political parties.”

Mulongeni, however, says there is nothing wrong with naming a street after a prominent figure.

“We have many streets named after political figures, some are historical, some are newcomers,” he says.

Mulongeni says other personalities, like sportspeople, artists, firefighters and prominent individuals in the science and technology fields should also be recognised.

“Swartbooi is a dynamic leader who served in the ruling party, was a governor of the //Kharas region, briefly a deputy minister, member of parliament and the president of the LPM. He qualifies for that recognition,” he says.

Political analyst Johan Coetzee says the move seems strategic.

“… to send a strong message to the ruling party that LPM will be challenging to contest and win in these areas. It’s well planned and well executed – especially considering the elections are just around the corner,” he says.

Coetzee says it’s common for politicians to have streets named after them.

“The naming of these streets speaks volumes about the level of support he has at those three towns,” he says.

Responding to Mumbala, LPM Keetmanshoop municipality management committee chairperson Easter Isaack yesterday asked why other towns have named several streets after former president Sam Nujoma.

“Under Swapo leadership the airport became non-functional, the Keetmanshoop hospital that was to become a referral hospital was downgraded, and the council was ungovernable.

“But Bernadus brought the Neckartal Dam, the University of Namibia and other vocational training centres, and the Old Mutual Mall at Keetmanshoop, to name a few.”

“In fact, I think Keetmanshoop municipality should be renamed to Bernadus Swartbooi municipality for his contributions,” he said.

Isaack said the council took a resolution earlier this year upon recommendation by the street renaming committee and the town planning department to name streets after deserving individuals.

Recommended individuals were former Keetmanshoop mayor Andreas Biwa, reverends Zacheus and Albert Thomas, and the late liberation struggle supporter Emil Appolus.

“This is an ongoing process. More are to follow,” he said.

‘CLINTON DESERVES IT’

Community member Katrina Sageus from Keetmanshoop yesterday said Swartbooi deserves the honour.

“We know him as Clinton. He deserves recognition at Keetmans­hoop. We were never hungry and destitute while he was here. I am not saying the other councillors did nothing, but his time was a climax of development of new shops opening, and many good things,” she said.

LPM Mariental mayor Cherien Kock said the council took a resolution on street renaming during the 2022/23 financial year to honour leaders, and because many of the town’s streets have no names.

She said the council has identified people such as former education minister Katrina Hanse-Himarwa, prominent farmer Josef Motinga, and the late businessman Piet Cronje.

“We called an extraordinary council meeting on 10 October when we realised Swartbooi would be at Mariental for a rally to take the decision to rather hold his street renaming ceremony while he is at Mariental over the weekend,” Kock said.

“He was honoured for his leadership from a youthful student activist to a governor, a deputy minister and parliamentarian, and now the notable leader of an alternative political party fighting to restore the dignity of Namibians.”

Kock said the LPM has done well to provide residents of the south with basic amenities, such as water and electricity.

“People in the informal settlement didn’t have electricity in the Donkerhoek area and Gogos – now they do. This is because Swartbooi puts pressure on us as councillors to do those things for the community,” she said.

Oranjemund resident Elizabeth Katangolo says she is not aware of anything Swartbooi has done for the town.

“I only know him from the time there was an argument between him and Utoni Nujoma and they fired him, or something like that, from the government,” she says.

Oranjemund management committee chairperson Stephanus Guame yesterday said the LPM is disappointed that The Namibian is quick to ask questions and write negative stories about opposition parties.

“Council decisions are not made based on political scores, but based on merit. Now you are asking questions as if he does not qualify. Bear in mind the notable impact and tangible changes [he made] to society,” he said.