Oshikoto: Oshikoto regional council chairperson, Samuel Panduleni Shivute on Wednesday announced that he will not contest the November Regional Councils and Local Authorities Elections. Shivute assumed office in 2015 as the Omuthiya constituency councillor and was re-elected in 2020, a tenure in which he also served as the chairperson of the regional council.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Shivute in a statement indicated that he served the region and constituency with commitment and determination, with the help and assistance of fellow comrades. “I feel I have come to a point to leave the playing field, and this I mean to say, I will not stand for the upcoming re-election,” he said.

He added that he had been accorded an opportunity as one of the Swapo party cadres entrusted with the leadership responsibility to lead the constituency and the region and has done so with vigour and determination. “I am optimistic that allowing another comrade is the best and an honourable thing to do with the view that the legacy continues and that the Swapo party continues leading,” he said.

Shivute further said that, once out of office, his focus will be on family and engaging in agricultural activities. He then expressed gratitude to the Swapo party and Oshikoto community for entrusting and supporting him during his tenure, which enabled him to serve the community of Omuthiya Constituency successfully.