By-election candidates promise change

Candidates standing for key constituency by-elections that will take place tomorrow have promised voters change, saying they will do whatever they can to improve their constituencies, if elected.

Voting will take place in Khomasdal, Gobabis, Keetmanshoop and Walvis Bay.

Veteran politician Reggie Diergaardt, who is making a return to politics, said he was best-placed to serve the residents of Khomasdal well. He is standing as the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) candidate in the suburb.

“I know the aspirations of the people of Khomasdal. I will try to strive to achieve whatever is in my mandate,” said Diergaardt.

He urged voters to consider candidates that had realistic manifestos.

Estate agent Mara Baumgartner, who is standing as the Landless People's Movement (LPM) candidate in Khomasdal, promised to tackle drug abuse, saying it was running rampant in her community.

“The challenge we face in our community is drug abuse. Those are the things I will look at. I would also like to address the rates and taxes, especially for the elderly. I would also like to see to it that 7de Laan and 8ste Laan get electricity. I want to focus on getting solar energy in those places. We can create jobs in that area,” said Baumgartner.

According to her, there was no reason for the electorate to give their vote to Swapo. “Why should we give Swapo another chance?” she said.

The constituency was led by former National Council chairperson Margaret Mensah-Williams, who had to resign from her position after accepting the nomination to represent Swapo in the National Assembly later this year.

The LPM candidate for Gobabis, Sylvester Binga, promised change for the town's residents.

“They should come out in their numbers. Change is due in Gobabis; growth in the town has stagnated,” he said.

Knowledge Ipinge, who is standing as an independent candidate in the Walvis Urban Constituency by-election, said voters must focus on pressing number three on the electronic voting machines (EVMs).

In his manifesto, Ipinge promised to rearrange the dwellings of the residents to prevent or reduce the risk of transmission of communicable diseases. He also promised to improve access to electricity and introduce of an emergency and evacuation plan for each dwelling site at Twaloloka to certify emergency preparedness and response.

Maxie Minnaar, the LPM candidate for the Keetmanshoop Constituency, promised voters that she would work hand in hand with them.

“We must take hands together. They cannot only be voting cows. We must work together and I will give out progress reports if voted into power in my constituency,” she said. Minnaar said she was privileged to be nominated on the LPM's ticket and urged voters to turn out in large numbers.