Windhoek: Michael Naiteta has made history by becoming the first independent candidate to defeat the Swapo Party in a regional council election in the Kavango West Region.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the 53-year-old quantity surveyor and project coordinator secured victory in the Ncuncuni Constituency with 1,179 votes, defeating Swapo Party candidate Leopoldine Nseu, who garnered 723 votes. The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) candidate received 50 votes.
Naiteta's victory breaks Swapo's long-standing dominance in the region, where the ruling party now controls seven of the eight constituencies in Kavango West. Born to farmers at Gcwatjinga village, Naiteta's journey to political victory began in the community where he attended primary school. He later moved on to Shambyu Mission School before completing his secondary education at Maria Mwengere Secondary School.
'I pursued my studies in South Africa, in Bloemfontein and Port Elizabeth, respectively. I'm a qualified quantity surveyor but specialised in construction management,' Naiteta told Nampa. He worked for Stocks and Stocks, which sponsored his studies, and currently serves as a project coordinator at the Rundu Vocational Training Centre (RVTC).
His political awakening came early during the liberation struggle. 'I entered politics at a tender age when politics was rife on the northern side of Namibia. In 1988, many of us joined the Namibia National Students Organisation (Nanso), and in my case, I was at Max Makushe Secondary School. Most of my peers left for exile through our school. I couldn't go because I had to nurse my late brother Andreas (Steve) Mbangu, one of the students' leaders,' he recalled.
At Gcwatjinga, the young Naiteta witnessed the People's Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) combatants operating in the area. Naiteta's decision to contest the regional election stemmed from his frustration with local governance. 'I decided to run for this regional election due to unequal distribution of government resources and due to the perpetual failure of local leadership to advance development,' he stated.
His campaign began four years ago, though he kept his intentions private at first. 'We started campaigning four years ago, but we just didn't make our intentions known,' he said.
The newly elected councillor criticised the treatment of voters by established political parties. 'In many instances, the electorate is taken for granted by most of the political parties. After electing them to their respective offices, our leaders don't seem to care about them. They are completely forgotten in all affairs of governance.'
As an independent candidate, Naiteta emphasised that his mandate comes directly from the people. 'As an independent candidate, I'm mandated by the people to do what they want,' he said.
The challenges facing the Ncuncuni Constituency are many. 'After 35 years of independence, some people in my constituency are struggling to get potable water. These people do not have national documents, how can these masses enjoy the fruit of the country?' Naiteta questioned.
He also highlighted the bureaucratic contradictions affecting residents. 'Remember, the same old woman, if she dies today, the same system that has denied her the documents for years, would find a birth certificate to bury her. This cannot be right.'
The issues vary across villages, from the lack of identity documents to electricity shortages. 'Those who have cars would want the Karukivisa-Mavanze road to be tarred. Freedom means different things to different people. As for an elderly woman who has been voting since 1989, an ID would be enough for her,' he said.
Naiteta stressed the importance of continuous engagement with constituents. 'Communication is important in our daily lives. Let's keep communicating with our electorates. These are people who have the utmost power in our politics.'
He also urged collective responsibility in developing the constituency. 'Ncuncuni Constituency residents, this constituency doesn't belong to a single person or party. Let's all push this boat in the right direction.'
Acknowledging the area's economic challenges, Naiteta said: 'Ncuncuni Constituency is one of the poorest areas in the country, we are all obliged to do our best.'
The victory represents a significant shift in Kavango West's political landscape, where Swapo has dominated since Independence in 1990. Naiteta's success demonstrates a growing appetite for alternative leadership in rural constituencies traditionally considered Swapo strongholds. 'I'm your mouthpiece, and mandated by you. You have unequivocally said 'We want change and change is on the horizon',' Naiteta told his supporters after his victory.