Likando preparing a ‘decade legacy report’

Kabbe South constituency councillor John Likando has said he has always been ready to leave the political stage, but it is difficult to do so when the people and country still need him to serve.

Hence, he is currently busy preparing what he calls a “decade legacy report” – not only for his successor but also for the entire constituency and generations to come.

Likando, who is a member of parliament (MP) in the National Council, made these remarks recently at his residence at Katima Mulilo, while reflecting on his political journey and the eventual “graduation” from the National Council to the National Assembly.

The MP is fifty-first on Swapo’s gazetted parliamentary list of those expected to enter the National Assembly on 21 March 2025. The party managed to garner 51 seats in the November 2024 elections compared to the 63 parliamentary seats it won in the 2019 elections.

“In terms of the constitutional arrangements, you cannot take two oaths … Leaving the political stage early has always been my ambition and giving others a chance to run for political office, but it is difficult to do so when the people still want your services. It will also be interesting to work with the first female elected president,” he said.

Likando’s elevation to the National Assembly will mean he has to resign before 21 March, thereby creating a vacancy in the constituency and triggering a by-election that has to take place within 90 days in the constituency as dictated by the country’s electoral law.

“My political journey has not been easy. It is full of scars, from tribal de-campaigning to a lot of things. But I survived and honestly, I have not been given any political position on a silver platter from the local authority to the regional council level.”

Likando said he will be leaving office a happy man and will be giving his successor the decade legacy report where, he said, notable achievements outweigh the failures.

“It’s very unfortunate that in our African political setup people don’t see development with their eyes unless they are informed,” he noted.

He mentioned improvements in school and road infrastructure as well as the coverage of telecommunications networks in the constituency that he said stands at above 80 per cent.

He however flagged a lack of electrification and potable treated water for both human and livestock use as a major concern. Whoever takes over, he said, has to look into this as a matter of urgency.

In the National Council, Likando currently chairs the standing committee on home affairs, security, constitutional and legal affairs.

He also chairs a committee on the Southern African Development Community (SADC) parliamentary forum as well as the Namibia-Russia parliamentary friendship group

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