Okaku by-election: Who are these people?

Today, the residents of the Okaku constituency in the Oshana Region go to the polls to elect their new councillor, following the death of Hannu Kapenda in December 2022.

Here are the contenders in the running.

Name: Sakaria Jakob

Age: 61

Political party: Independent Patriots of Change (IPC)

Background: Jakob, who grew up in Oshigambo, joined politics in 1978 as an informant to Swapo soldiers during the liberation struggle, among other activities. He left the party in 2020 to join IPC, citing corruption.

Priorities: Build toilets for the elderly, launch a funding programme for the needy, construct water catchment areas and initiate youth expo.

Name: Tomas Natangwe Nambambi

Age: 31

Political party: Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF)

Background: Nambambi joined politics in 2019 and said his interest began when he taught history for seven years at junior secondary phase.

Priorities: Job-creation projects, electrification, water, road maintenance and upgrade, business development and sport.

Name: Jason Nghiinomenwa Haufiku

Age: 33

Political party: Popular Democratic Movement (PDM)

Background: Haufiku is currently the PDM coordinator for the Okaku constituency.

Priorities: Family toilets, bridges for flooded areas, water, tarred roads.

Name: David Taukondjele Fillipus

Age: 56

Political party: Swapo

Background: Fillipus is a unionist and has been the Swapo district coordinator for Okaku since 2015. He was also a Swapo branch coordinator in Keetmanshoop.

Priorities: Construction of 15 new schools, electrification, rural sanitation, youth empowerment through sport.

- Compiled by Tuyeimo Haidula and Enzo Amuele