Aspiring Swapo Party Women’s Council (SPWC) secretary, Fransina Kahungu, says politics should be about serving others, as opposed to self-gratification.
“I look at politics as a sphere to uplift others. I believe God has helped me to be able to help others through politics,” were Kahungu’s words during an interview recently.
Kahungu shared her vision for the SPWC in particular and Namibian women in general, the state of Swapo, implementation of policies and why she is the right candidate for the women’s council’s top post.
To the delegates, she said they should guard against emerging divided by voting individuals based on merit and not popularity.
In the SPWC, Kahungu in the past served as its secretary for finance and project management.
“If God can give me this opportunity, it will be good because I will continue uplifting women in economic, political, socials, spiritual and cultural spheres.”
Kahungu was Windhoek’s mayor between 2019 and 2020 and was lauded for taking the office closer to those in the informal settlements. She is currently an ordinary municipal councillor in Windhoek.
Now at the climax of her political journey, the former teacher believes she is ready for the hot seat as SPWC secretary. That portfolio is occupied by party stalwart Eunice Ipinge.
“Having been here for the past 10 years, I have observed and I can visualise how I can improve [the council],” she continued.
The delayed SPWC congress – which will decide the wing’s fate for the next five years – kicks off on Wednesday.
The genesis
Born in Outapi in the Omusati Region 52 years ago, Kahungu says she was exposed to politics at a young age.
“Okapanda village where I grew up was used as a hiding camp for People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) combatants. Many men at our village used to work with PLAN combatants from inside Namibia, which influenced my exposure to politics,” Kahungu reminisces on her political genesis.
Nothing has changed since then.
“Being in politics will enable me to assist others where possible. My passion is to uplift others,” she said candidly.
Women’s issues
Like many patriarchal societies, Namibian women are mostly on the periphery of decision-making, economic opportunities and access to land.
Kahungu said she wants to take the plight of Namibian women to the next level through the SPWC by placing women at the centre.
“Swapo Party Women’s Council is ready to engage various ministries, such as fisheries, education, trade and any other partners to make sure that in any [economic] activity, there must be a share dedicated to women, not only Swapo members, but women in general,” she said.
Another element she wants to focus on is improving SPWC’s visibility through strengthening its departments.
“We need to be more serious on the implementation of various policies which are aimed to uplift women’s activities,” she added.
On topical issues such as the legalisation of abortion, Kahungu was conservative as she did not want to impose her ideas before she is elected.
“Abortion is not an easy thing,” she said, hinting that even if legalised, there must be counselling.
Source: The Namibian Press Agency
