Tsumkwe: The ruling Swapo Party has lost its long-held control of Tsumkwe in the Otjozondjupa Region to independent candidate Petrus Mutji, following the recent Regional Councils and Local Authorities Elections.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Mutji, a primary school teacher, emerged victorious with 1,438 votes, surpassing National Unity Democratic Organisation's Kakutirua Matuka who garnered 1,224 votes. The incumbent councillor, Johannes Hausiku from Swapo, received 932 votes. Other candidates included Rakutukavi Ngorio from the Popular Democratic Movement with 121 votes, Calvin Kazibe from the Landless People's Movement with 44 votes, and Richard Kxao N!ani from the United Namibians Party with 19 votes. A total of 3,799 votes were cast on Wednesday.

Tsumkwe had been under Swapo's governance for 21 years, after the party took control from the former Democratic Turnhalle Alliance, now known as the Popular Democratic Movement. Political commentator Ben Mulongeni discussed the shift in voting patterns in Namibia during an interview with Nampa. He noted the growing trend of voters selecting independent candidates who are often closely connected to their local communities.

Mulongeni explained that voters are drawn to independent candidates because they represent familiar and trusted figures within their communities. He emphasized that these candidates are seen as individuals who engage with their communities and address local concerns, which is increasingly appealing in the face of perceived inefficiencies of political parties.