Merit concerns drove rise of independent candidates in Kavango – Mbangu

The regional council and local authority elections witnessed a surge of independent candidates, a trend political analysts and re-elected independent councillor Paulus Mbangu attribute to a lack of merit-based selections within traditional political party structures. Mbangu, the Rundu Rural constituency councillor who recently won re-election as an independent candidate, in a recent interview reflected on whether his historic first term as the constituency’s inaugural independent councillor may have paved the way for others in the two Kavango regions. “People have the right to participate in any political activity under Article 17. We are seeing similar trends in South Africa, where space is increasingly opening for independent candidates, and this signals a growing public appetite for alternatives outside traditional party structures,” he said. Mbangu said the evolving political landscape has contributed to the rise of independent candidates in the Kavango regions, arguing that many political parties have grown increasingly detached from the everyday realities of the communities they are meant to serve. Despite promises made during campaigns, service delivery by most parties remains weak and is not felt on the ground or visible to the masses. According to Mbangu, internal party dynamics often result in candidates being selected on the basis of favouritism rather than merit. “Many times, parties don’t field candidates based on merit. The public can now see for themselves who is capable and who is not,” he said. Mbangu congratulated fellow independents Petrus Kashumali and Michael Naiteta, who won the councillor positions of Mashare constituency in the Kavango East region and Ncuncuni in the Kavango West region, respectively, praising them for taking what he called “a bold step”. Serving as an independent councillor is often viewed as an unpopular path, but the journey is worthwhile, he said, noting that the growing success of independent candidates should serve as a lesson to political parties to prioritise capable leadership. “This has created space for more individuals to stand as independent candidates, as communities are increasingly seeking public servants who will bring development closer to them,” he said. He also highlighted other independent councillors who retained their seats, including Kongola constituency and Rehoboth West Urban constituency councillors Likukela Busihu and Harald Kambrude. According to Mbangu, the shift in voter sentiment is likely to push political parties to field more competent candidates in upcoming elections. “The advantage of being an independent councillor is that you are not selective, you serve everyone, regardless of political affiliation, as long as they are residents of the constituency,” he added. Kashumali, meanwhile, says he and Mbangu opted to run as independent candidates after years of serving Swapo through its structures, including the youth league. He says their decision followed discussions about what they viewed as the poor performance of some sitting councillors. “We were ready to serve the Mashare and Rundu Rural constituencies through the party, and the Swapo leadership knows this. But when that opportunity didn’t materialise, we chose to go independent,” Kashumali says. He adds that Mbangu was the first to embark on the independent councillor path, and that he had worked closely under him with the intention of eventually doing the same. “Here we are, years later, God has been with us,” he says. Senior academic at the University of Namibia’s Rundu Campus, Gurvy Kavei, says political parties must pay closer attention to the personality traits and overall suitability of the candidates they put forward.… “It’s like playing chess or football. Parties should consider fielding candidates only after assessing who their opponents have selected, ensuring they present individuals who can genuinely compete,” he indicates. Kavei adds that Swapo should avoid focusing solely on reclaiming constituencies it has lost, and instead allow democratic processes to take their course. Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah says the success of independent candidates in three constituencies across the two Kavango regions reflects a shift in voter preference toward individuals who are rooted in their communities and perceived as more trustworthy than party-appointed leaders. He notes that Mbangu’s performance during his first term had a significant impact on this trend. “His influence was substantial. People were satisfied with the service he delivered, and that confidence has now extended to other candidates who demonstrate the ability to perform,” Kamwanyah says. – Nampa