Swapo regains full control of Erongo regional council
Erongo’s newly elected regional councillors were sworn in at Swakopmund on Friday, officially marking the start of the 2025–2030 term and confirming Swapo’s return to full control of the regional council.
The ceremony was presided over by Swakopmund magistrate Conchita Olivier, who administered the oath of office to all seven councillors: Victor Maswahu (Swakopmund constituency), Ruben Shikongo (Walvis Bay Rural), Albertina Nkoshi (Walvis Bay Urban), Abiud Kapere (Arandis), Inecia Brand (Daures), Hendrina Gebhardt (Omaruru) and Lazarus Kanelombe (Karibib).
All seven councillors were elected under the Swapo Party banner, replacing the outgoing council comprised of three Swapo, three Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) and one United Democratic Front (UDF) representative.
Following the swearing-in ceremony, councillors proceeded with the statutory election of the management committee. Kanelombe was elected to the committee alongside Shikongo and Nkoshi, before being chosen unopposed as chairperson.
The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), represented by regional electoral officer Aune Ndakeva, oversaw the election of the region’s three National Council representatives. Maswahu, Brand and Kapere were duly elected.
Delivering his first remarks as chairperson, Kanelombe said he accepted the position “with a deep sense of responsibility,” pledging to “lead with fairness, to listen with intent, and to walk tirelessly alongside each councillor here, for the betterment of every community.”
He urged unity and collaboration among councillors, reminding them: “There is no ‘I’ in a team.”
The ceremony was presided over by Swakopmund magistrate Conchita Olivier, who administered the oath of office to all seven councillors: Victor Maswahu (Swakopmund constituency), Ruben Shikongo (Walvis Bay Rural), Albertina Nkoshi (Walvis Bay Urban), Abiud Kapere (Arandis), Inecia Brand (Daures), Hendrina Gebhardt (Omaruru) and Lazarus Kanelombe (Karibib).
All seven councillors were elected under the Swapo Party banner, replacing the outgoing council comprised of three Swapo, three Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) and one United Democratic Front (UDF) representative.
Following the swearing-in ceremony, councillors proceeded with the statutory election of the management committee. Kanelombe was elected to the committee alongside Shikongo and Nkoshi, before being chosen unopposed as chairperson.
The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), represented by regional electoral officer Aune Ndakeva, oversaw the election of the region’s three National Council representatives. Maswahu, Brand and Kapere were duly elected.
Delivering his first remarks as chairperson, Kanelombe said he accepted the position “with a deep sense of responsibility,” pledging to “lead with fairness, to listen with intent, and to walk tirelessly alongside each councillor here, for the betterment of every community.”
He urged unity and collaboration among councillors, reminding them: “There is no ‘I’ in a team.”
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