GOBABIS: The newly elected Regional Coordinator for Omaheke, Kejamuina Mungendje has urged Swapo members in the Omaheke region to put the past behind them and unite for a common purpose.

In an interview with Nampa, Mungendje said it was time the region put development and unity at the forefront and do away with infighting.

Mungendje said despite the ‘intentions of some people’ to have him lose the contest for regional coordinator at last weekend’s Swapo regional conference, democracy had in the end prevailed.

Although the election process was in general free fair, there were some party cadres who were hell-bent on making sure he does not get elected to the position, Mungendje said.

“All those delays and recounting of voted that marked the conference was directed at me and was meant for me to lose some of my valuable votes, which I did.

“But that was what transpired at the conference. It is politics. Now it is upon all of us to take each other by the hand and March together as a family,” Mungendje said.

Referring to the former acting regional coordinator, Job Muniaro, against whom he ran for the regional coordinator position, Mungendje said he holds no grudges against him and Muniaro still remain a credible member of the party.

“Muniaro and I come a long way and will not be separated by virtue of a position. He still remains part and parcel of the Swapo party and is a comrade.

“You witnessed yourself how we shook hands at the end of the regional coordinator race; there is really no bad blood between us,” he said.

Mungendje said political division in the region has cost the party dearly in the past and it was time such matter was addressed.

“We have a democratic society in Swapo. We can all support various candidates for positions during elections, but when all is over, we ought to come back together and pull in one direction as a team.

“Divisions will not get us anywhere at all,” he noted.

Mungendje beat Muniaro with 30 votes to Muniaro’s 19 to claim the regional coordinator position, in a race marked by intense lobbying and behind the scenes bickering.

The former Aminuis district mobiliser received support from most the region’s seven districts, with Otjinene, Epukiro, and Kalahari rooting for him. Muniaro’s support came largely from Otjombinde and Steinhausen.

Aminuis appeared the most divided region in terms of votes, as both candidates received fair votes. Both Mungendje and Muniaro are originally from Aminuis, although the latter has since become a member of the Gobabis district.