Association appeals for state funding

KENYA KAMBOWE

RUNDU



The Rundu Concerned Citizens Association (RCCA) is appealing to the government to fund residents' associations represented in local authorities in order to strengthen local democracy.

RCCA chairperson Reginald Ndara argues that just as political parties represented in parliament receive state funding, residents' associations should too. Ndara said they made the call back in 2012 at a meeting with the Law Reform Commission at Rundu but there has been no response.



Lobbying

“RCCA appeals to government to continue funding the political parties represented in parliament in order to maintain and promote multi-party democracy in Namibia,” Ndara said.

“But this funding should not only end up in parliament alone, it needs to be extended to all community-based associations represented in local authority councils throughout the country.” Ndara said the RCCA would lobby members of parliament to table a motion in in this regard. In the 2015 local government elections, the RCCA won one seat on the Rundu town council, which is filled by Ndara.



Suspended

In March this year, Ndara and five other Rundu town councillors were suspended by former urban and rural development minister Peya Mushelenga because of mismanagement.

They were replaced by Sebastian Kantema, who was appointed by the minister on a six-month contract.

It is unclear whether the disgraced councillors will return to work before the November regional and local government elections.

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