I will remain independent – Mbangu
• No interest in joining political parties
A former Swapo member, Mbangu shocked the ruling party at the polls in November 2020 when he won the Rundu Rural constituency councillor seat.
Rundu Rural constituency councillor Paulus Mbangu says he will not join any political parties and is adamant about remaining an independent candidate.
Mbangu, a former Swapo member, shocked the ruling party at the polls in November 2020 when he won the Rundu Rural constituency councillor seat as an independent candidate.
The dynamic politician resigned from the Swapo Party after he reportedly lost confidence in the Kavango East regional leadership for their support of Michael Shikongo as their preferred candidate for that year’s election.
Mbangu won 1 846 of the 2 638 votes cast during that election.
Shikongo has served the constituency for about 15 years.
Declined offers
Since he took office, Mbangu has been praised as an exemplary leader who lives up to his manifesto of ensuring community members have access to basic services such as potable water, electricity and better roads.
His efforts have not gone unnoticed, he said, with political parties - including Swapo - expressing interest in recruiting him ahead of the 2024 presidential and national assembly elections.
Namibian Sun has also been reliably informed that a new political party currently being formed in Kavango East has made several attempts to recruit Mbangu, but he has shown no interest.
Resolute decision
A senior Swapo leader in Kavango East told Namibian Sun in a recent interview that the ruling party is willing to offer Mbangu a ministerial position if he rejoins the party.
When contacted for comment over the weekend, Mbangu emphasised he has no desire to join any political party and prefers to remain an independent candidate.
“I have been consulted by a number of political parties, but I remain resolute that I will remain independent,” Mbangu said.
“All the parties that have consulted me, I told them no.”
When asked whether he will show support for any political party ahead of the 2024 elections, he said he will not join any campaign and will observe the elections like an ordinary voter.
“I am not joining any campaign next year. I will remain independent,” he repeated.
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Mbangu, a former Swapo member, shocked the ruling party at the polls in November 2020 when he won the Rundu Rural constituency councillor seat as an independent candidate.
The dynamic politician resigned from the Swapo Party after he reportedly lost confidence in the Kavango East regional leadership for their support of Michael Shikongo as their preferred candidate for that year’s election.
Mbangu won 1 846 of the 2 638 votes cast during that election.
Shikongo has served the constituency for about 15 years.
Declined offers
Since he took office, Mbangu has been praised as an exemplary leader who lives up to his manifesto of ensuring community members have access to basic services such as potable water, electricity and better roads.
His efforts have not gone unnoticed, he said, with political parties - including Swapo - expressing interest in recruiting him ahead of the 2024 presidential and national assembly elections.
Namibian Sun has also been reliably informed that a new political party currently being formed in Kavango East has made several attempts to recruit Mbangu, but he has shown no interest.
Resolute decision
A senior Swapo leader in Kavango East told Namibian Sun in a recent interview that the ruling party is willing to offer Mbangu a ministerial position if he rejoins the party.
When contacted for comment over the weekend, Mbangu emphasised he has no desire to join any political party and prefers to remain an independent candidate.
“I have been consulted by a number of political parties, but I remain resolute that I will remain independent,” Mbangu said.
“All the parties that have consulted me, I told them no.”
When asked whether he will show support for any political party ahead of the 2024 elections, he said he will not join any campaign and will observe the elections like an ordinary voter.
“I am not joining any campaign next year. I will remain independent,” he repeated.
[email protected]
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