Swapo gears up to retain Okahandja regional seat

SWAPO is said to be going full force for the Okahandja by-election and does not want to leave victory up to chance.

The party planned a string of activities for the run-up to the controversial by-election which saw Ben Katamila, a prominent community activist, challenging Swapo as an independent candidate. Katamila has since been expelled from Swapo. The Namibian has learned that the top bras of the ruling party want to be 100 per cent sure that they have secured the town despite fielding a political novice as their preferred candidate. Steve Biko Booys emerged as the favourite even ahead of Okahandja youth leader Valery Aaron, who was tipped to be the next councillor. Being a second-generation politician could have been one of the factors that worked in his favour. The past weeks saw the small, quiet town flooded almost every weekend as the Swapo campaign hits top gear. First it was party Secretary General Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana, then Party Vice President Hage Geingob last weekend. Founding President Sam Nujoma is going to be in Okahandja this weekend. Nujoma’s presence is expected to be the deal breaker.The Namibian was informed that the Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) is also planning to host its upcoming Central Committee meeting in Okahandja in a fortnight’s time, the last weekend before the elections.The move is being contemplated to beef up the party’s presence in the town, especially among the youth.