Oshakati: The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) in Oshana is gearing up for another round, with the former official opposition rolling up its sleeves for the final push ahead of next week's regional councils and local authorities elections.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the party's regional coordinator, Theofelus Kamati, stated on Wednesday that they are ramping up their door-to-door campaign ahead of the 26 November polls. PDM has fielded candidates in five of Oshana's 11 constituencies for the regional council elections, in Ondangwa Urban, Ondangwa Rural, Ongwediva, Oshakati West, and Oshakati East.

Kamati explained that the decision to focus on these five constituencies was due to resource constraints, emphasizing that the party does have supporters in other areas. However, it was a strategic decision to concentrate resources in selected areas. In the 2020 regional council elections, PDM contested eight constituencies, including Oshakati East, where Kamati ran against the Swapo Party and the Independent Patriots for Change. All constituencies were won by Swapo.

The party has chosen a door-to-door approach over mass rallies to connect directly with voters. Kamati mentioned that this strategy allows them to explain their campaign message and listen to people's concerns. Youth unemployment remains a major concern, and Kamati vowed to push for public work projects to prioritize young people if elected. He highlighted the issue in Oshakati East, where he plans to advocate for youth recruitment in public projects like the Oshakati-Ompundja road project.

PDM will also contest the local authority elections in Ondangwa, Ongwediva, and Oshakati. Despite not securing any seats in these councils in the previous elections, PDM aims to regain its representation. Kamati also pointed out challenges faced in urban centers, particularly in Oshakati, the regional capital, which is overpopulated and struggling with living space issues that need urgent resolution.