Okonguati — More than 70 people at Okonguati exchanged their DTA membership cards for Swapo's membership cards, saying the days of DTA leadership in Epupa constituency are over.

They followed in the footsteps of their leader Edward Uapandua Mumbuu, a former DTA Councillor for Opuwo constituency as well as former DTA member of the National Council, who joined Swapo earlier this year.

The new members, who are all indigenous people of Kunene, received their membership cards and the Swapo election manifesto from Dr Sam Nujoma, during a Swapo rally at Okonguati, Epupa constituency, on Saturday afternoon.

"No one would be left in DTA," Mumbuu told the strong crowd of Himba, Tjemba, Zemba and Twa people. He described himself as a man who, at one point, "had the keys of life for DTA in this land".

Okonguati lies 160 km north-east of Opuwo within the Epupa constituency - a DTA stronghold. From here, the DTA has enjoyed political supremacy.

"Who would be left in DTA? It is finished, it is dead," Mumbuu pronounced.

Mumbuu, who in 2004 quit DTA for Nudo, informed Okonguati that it is better to vote for a leadership that has proved itself for the past years, than to vote for a promised leadership that has not been tested.

"Swapo Party has led this country for 20 years until now, we know its leadership," Mumbuu told the crowd.

Nujoma, in his address, said the great Kunene Region possesses an abundance of riches, and beauty that no European country could match.

"All European countries, of Germany and France, put together do not possess the riches and beauty of the great Kunene Region. Look at the beauty of these mountains, underneath where there is probably mineral deposits," said Nujoma.

The strong crowd in Okonguati stood in the hot sun for hours waiting for Nujoma's arrival, an icon of Namibian liberation struggle whom many residents, especially the elders, were eager to shake hands with.

They formed a queue at the entrance to greet and shake his hand.

"President Hifikepunye Pohamba is the president to lead this country for the next five years," said Nujoma.

Deputy Prime Minister, Dr Libertina Amathila, chairperson of national leaders assigned to the Kunene Region, said the notion that Swapo is a party of some people is wrong.

"People say do not vote for Swapo it is a party of the Owambo. That is a lie. Swapo is a party for everybody," Amathila told the residents.

Swapo Branch Coordinator for Okonguati, Musenga Tjiposa, says the number of people who left DTA for Swapo are as many as 200 only that they did not make it to the rally.

Also in attendance were the Deputy Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare, Angelika Muharukua, and Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, Petrus Iilonga.