‘King’ still ready to make political contribution

FIVE years ago, Swapo withdrew King Mandume Muatunga from the Walvis Bay Municipal Council where he had served as the Chairman of the Management Committee. This was done because of suspicions that he had joined the Rally For Democracy and Progress (RDP).

The matter was investigated, and the 42-year-old father of eight says he has done all he could to convince his comrades that the suspicions were unfounded. He assure them of his unshaken allegiance to Swapo – the party which he has served for 25 years. He is waiting for the party’s central committee to recommend the renewal of his political activity within its ranks.

After five years of moving under the radar as an ordinary Swapo member, Muatunga is giving the impression that he is reemerging as an active politician and “ready any time now” as a more mature and wiser person. The Namibian met with him to find out who he is now; where he is at in his life; and what his plans are – especially in light of the coming elections.

The Namibian (TN): Who is King Mandume Muatunga?

King Mandume Muatunga (KMM): King is a son of the soil of Walvis Bay, who happened to venture into research and writing. I am also a person who has contributed to the growth and development of Walvis Bay – my town in which I was involved since before Independence to cut out my political life in the political arena. It’s also from here, where I left the country for exile in the late 80s. When I returned, I became the leader of the Swapo Youth League in Walvis Bay, and during the time of the reintegration of the town. I have also been the Mayor, and served on the Council, being the Chairman of the Management Committee. I served on the board of Erongo RED and the Board of the Export Processing Zone. Currently I am the Chairperson of the Walvis Bay Child and Family Centre (which take care of the handicapped people), where my one son is being cared for. I am married to a woman who is my pillar and have eight children.

TN: Why did you get involved in politics?

KMM: Some people of our generation were actively involved in the struggle of that time. Nathaniel Maxuilili was part of Walvis Bay and encouraged our youth to actively participate in the struggle. That’s when I became aware of and got involved in Swapo politics. Being a teenager at the time, my mission was to make a contribution in whatever way to the benefit of the country. I wanted to become a role model for my people. I thought I would become an outstanding leader. I used to read a lot and got to see and learn about quite a number of leaders who have moulded many youth then.

TN: Has your vision for Namibia changed over the past 25 years when you stepped into politics?

KMM: I have grown in the process and have been able to see Namibia through different eyes at different times. I have learned through this, and I think my leadership has been moulded because I have seen what the best leaders have done in the world and have tried to adopt the best practices, and through that I have tried to learn new approaches, develop new thinking and implement the best practices.

TN: Who is your role model now?

KMM: Sam Nujoma and Hifikepunye Pohamba. There are times when people take decisions, and Sam Nujoma took and stuck to those decisions. Pohamba is a good listener. There is a difference but you learn through the two approaches: taking decisions, and also to listen. There is a time for both. One time one first listens; and another time one has to make decisions. Because you are a leader, sometimes you have to make a decision on your own. I have learned through those two approaches.

TN: How did you take Swapo’s decision to withdraw you from party activity and investigate your alleged membership to RDP – especially after serving Swapo for so many years?

KMM: One thing we need to make very clear is that I was never suspended from the council, nor was I expelled from the party. I was just withdrawn from council pending investigation. I have continued my Swapo membership throughout this withdrawal. People misconstrued this. There have been quite a number of occasions on which I have had an audience with the leadership to clarify my position. It took longer but I grew through the process and everything comes with time. I learnt through that difficulty and those challenges.

TN: Why did Swapo suspect your involvement with RDP?

KMM: Maybe the friendship I have with quite a number of people; or maybe people thought me being a very young leader, I would be persuaded to go to another party. I have maintained my innocence throughout. I just thought to myself that this was a test; a greater test.

TN: Are you angry with the leadership?

KMM: I just thought that it took too long. I thought I complied with the 14 days they gave me to reassure them and the citizens of my loyalty to Swapo and that I was not a member of the RDP. I thought I met those requirements, but apparently I did not, and that’s why it took so long. Possibly, during that time, I could have contributed quite a lot, and I think I still can contribute quite a lot. On 8 February I was called to the Swapo Regional Executive to restate my position as member of Swapo and after that, the decision was referred to the central committee to make a decision. Now I am waiting for their recommendation. The biggest issue was that people were under the impression that I was suspended from Swapo, which was not the case.

TN: What did you do during the five years of not being an active member of Swapo?

KMM: I took some distance from politics. I’ve been watching things from a distance, and kept busy with my own personal things, and I’ve been trying to write. I’m busy with the year book of regional councils and local authorities. We are busy with the second edition that will be launched at the beginning of March. I like doing research for my writing.

TN: Do you want to be available for the election coming?

KMM: I am ready for any leadership position. I just took a back seat for the time being but I am ready for anything. I’ve always been ready. I first will have to re-organise myself and start moving from there.

TN: Do you think the community has lost faith in you?

KMM:There have been quite a number of people who have asked me to become mayor again, but it all depends on circumstances – it would depend from which angle I will return to my career in the party; or in the structures.

I’m currently not in the structures and people are normally elected from the structures. I would have to start from scratch to organise myself. I’m ready. I can make a contribution. I’m still young.

TN: Would you like to be mayor again – what is your next aim?

KMM: Always in life we aim for the highest. We have to move on in life; we should not remain stagnant. We should move on and always aim for higher.

KMM: Maybe they saw me as a shining star. It’s maybe the way I thought – that they saw that maybe one day at least I would be somewhere. There is still time to make a contribution. In politics, age does not mean anything. I’m a politician in and out. I will never retire from politics.

TN: What is the biggest challenge you have to face?

KMM: To regain the trust of the people. I think that if the central committee’s recommendation is in my favour, that would be my first task: to address the Swapo party in Walvis Bay, so I can regain that trust.

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