Swapo Party’s candidate for the upcoming Kamanjab Constituency by-election, Nicodemus Amutenya, has pledged to bring development to the settlement and push for its upgrade from a village to a town council.
Speaking at a mini rally on Sunday, Amutenya highlighted key priorities including infrastructure development, agriculture, energy, education, and sports.
"I commit today to bring that vision to life here in the Kamanjab Constituency," he said. "Sport is not only entertainment; it builds character, discipline, and unity, and I promise to rehabilitate local sports facilities in Kamanjab."
He also emphasized the importance of agriculture in the region’s economy.
"Agriculture strengthens the rural economy and livelihoods. In the region that is blessed with land and potential, agriculture must be a backbone of development," Amutenya said. "I’ll push for access to farming tools and veterinary support, water infrastructure, small-scale crops, livestock farming training, and support for youth and women in agriculture."
Amutenya called on the government to upgrade health services in Kamanjab and surrounding areas.
"We want the Kamanjab clinic and health centre to be fully equipped with the instruments, materials, and equipment so that they can work day and night," he said. "Our people have been driven from Anker and Erwee with the gravel road, and they were transferred to Outjo, which is painful for us."
Swapo Party Vice President Lucia Witbooi urged residents to rally behind Amutenya to ensure continuity in implementing the party’s manifesto.
"When we contest, we do so knowing that only one candidate will emerge," Witbooi said. "Therefore, unite your canvas to support our candidate and our party to win. Go to the opposition and convince them that the Swapo Party is the way to go."
She also stressed the need for strong voter education.
Meanwhile, former Kamanjab Village Council Deputy Chairperson Abiole Karunga, who previously served under the Popular Democratic Movement, announced he has joined Swapo.
"We have opposed for long, but we have said we don’t want to oppose and just talk. We want to work. We want to contribute to the development," Karunga said. "We want to throw our weight behind the candidate for the upcoming constituency elections, who we trust will be able to bring about the change that is needed for Kamanjab."