Tsumkwe Constituency is an electoral constituency in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia. It had 8,823 inhabitants in 2004 [1] and 7,075 registered voters in 2020 [update]. [2] About 2,400 San people live in this constituency. [3] The constituency consists of the settlement of Tsumkwe and the surrounding rural area.
Following a recommendation of the Second Delimitation Commission of Namibia, and in preparation of the 1998 general election, Tsumkwe Constituency was created in 1998 from the eastern part of Grootfontein Constituency. [4]
Tsumkwe is referred to as a capital city of San people. It is a small town with about 500 inhabitants, located about 60 kilometres (37 mi) west of the Botswana border and 300 kilometres (190 mi) east of Grootfontein.
Tsumkwe is traditionally a stronghold of the South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) party. In the 2004 regional election, SWAPO candidate Moses Coma received 1,920 of the 3,227 votes cast and became councillor. [5]
The 2015 regional election was won by SWAPO's Fransina Ghauzz with 1,554 votes, followed by Ioma Gcao (NUDO) with 720 votes and Samuel R. Maharero (DTA) with 340 votes. [6] The SWAPO candidate also won the 2020 regional election. Johannes Hausiku received 1,249 votes, Samson Ngombe (NUDO) came second with 981 votes. [2]
In the 2004 presidential election, Tsumkwe helped vote Hifikepunye Pohamba (SWAPO) to power who received 2,372 of the 4,015 votes cast. However, Kuaima Riruako of NUDO received over 21% of the constituency vote, well above his 4.23% nationally.
Candidates - Parties | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|
Hifikepunye Lucas Pohamba - Swapo party | 2,372 | 59.07 | |
Kuaima Riruako - National Unity Democratic Organization | 846 | 21.07 | |
Katuutire Kaura - Democratic Turnhalle Alliance | 484 | 12.05 | |
Ben Ulenga - Congress of Democrats | 184 | 4.58 | |
Kosie Pretorius - Monitor Action Group | 69 | 1.71 | |
Justus ǁGaroëb - United Democratic Front | 44 | 1.09 | |
Henk Mudge - Republican Party | 16 | .03 | |
Total (turnout 90.47%) | 4015 | 100.0 | |
Source: Electoral Commission of Namibia |