Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) Town Councillor for Walvis Bay, Joseph Shikongo, told Informanté in an exclusive interview yesterday that he is willing to subject his political future as local authority councilor to popular vote.

“RDP supporters must organise a public meeting through the party’s regional structures and vote whether they want me to stay on as Town Councillor or whether I need to be replaced”, Shikongo said.
RDP members in Walvis Bay are accusing Shikongo of neglecting his electoral duties, as he is a full-time law student in Windhoek [see related article in

Coastal section of today’s edition]. Members spoken to this week suggested that Shikongo pursue his legal studies and in the meantime step down as councillor to make way for the next candidate in line on the party list, local businesswoman Rita van Reenen.
“I don’t want this issue to bring division in the RDP. If it is necessary let party members organise a meeting and decide this issue on a majority vote,” Shikongo emphasised. He further explained that he doesn’t want this issue to create factions in the party and the party should not let its focus be detracted by trivial issues.
The Regional Secretary for the RDP in Erongo, Augustus Unnoovene, was also present at the meeting with Shikongo yesterday. Although he had already responded to earlier inquiries by Informanté he added yesterday that he is satisfied with Shikongo’s performance as councillor and pointed out that Shikongo was already a law student when he was approached to make himself available for a political career. Unnoovene also praised Shikongo for the way in which he conducted himself since the formation of the party and said Shikongo was one of a handful who was willing to be open about his RDP affiliation right from the start. That is contrary to many who chose to support the party anonymously in fear of their positions in society, their businesses and even their lives.