Samora Machel Constituency


Samora Machel Constituency is a constituency in Windhoek in the Khomas Region of central Namibia. The constituency is located across four northern suburbs of Windhoek: Wanaheda, Greenwell Matongo, Goreangab, and part of Havana. It had a population of 50,110 in 2011, up from 29,382 in 2001.
Most of the residents of this constituency are formally unemployed and derive their income from informal employment and small enterprises like shebeens and car washes. The impact of HIV/AIDS is high.

Name change

The area which made up the constituency was named Wanaheda during colonial times and continued to be called it following its independence in 1990. It is an acronym for 'Wambos, Namas, Hereros and Damaras', the four peoples that were living here. In 2003, following governmental and public recommendations, it was renamed in honour of Mozambican President Samora Machel.

Politics

The 2004 regional election was won by John Ya Otto Nankudhu of the SWAPO Party with 8,370 votes. Runners-up were Victoria Gawanas of the United Democratic Front, Fransiska Hipondoka of the Congress of Democrats, Gabriel Rukero of the National Unity Democratic Organisation, and Adolf Kaurimuje of the Democratic Turnhalle Alliance.
The 2015 regional election were also won by SWAPO whose Fanuel San Shivute gained 8,774 votes. Tuyenikelao Kanyiki finished distant second with 1,078 votes.