By Faustinus Kakupa
WINDHOEK, Dec 11, The Swapo Party’s sweeping victory in the recent Regional and Local Authority Elections has completely removed representatives of the Landless People’s Movement (LPM), the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), and all independent councillors from the 7th National Council, which will be sworn in tomorrow.
LPM, once a dominant force in the Hardap and kharas regions and celebrated as the “darling of the South,” lost all six seats it held in the 2020–2025 term. The party also surrendered its former positions as chairpersons of the management committees in both regions to Swapo after performing poorly in the polls.
In Erongo, IPC which believed it had established a stronghold suffered a similar blow. The party lost control of all constituencies and municipalities it previously held, including the management committee chairpersonship and its two seats in the National Council. Many described their defeat as proof that their political foundation “was planted in sandy dunes.”
Independent councillor Paulus Mbangu, who represented Rundu Rural Constituency in the 6th National Council (2020–2025), was also left out. Swapo councillors did not nominate him for reappointment, a development that has sparked mixed reactions. Some residents question why Mbangu widely regarded as a strong performer during his tenure has been excluded. A demonstration in Rundu protesting his omission and broader concerns over the region’s exclusion from key appointments is reportedly being organised for tomorrow.
Political commentators note that losing regional power significantly weakens any party’s national influence and long-term growth prospects.
Questions sent to LPM and IPC leadership were not answered by the time of publication. – Namibia Daily News
