Maxie Meliza Minnaar (died 10 August 2020) was a Namibian politician. She served as the regional councillor for Keetmanshoop Urban in the ǁKaras Region from January 2020 until her death in August 2020. She was a member of the Landless People's Movement party and the party's first regional councillor.
Maxie Minnaar | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Regional Councillor for Keetmanshoop Urban | |
| In office 17 January 2020 – 10 August 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Hilma Nicanor |
| Succeeded by | Joseph Isaacks |
| Personal details | |
| Died | (aged 47) Windhoek, Namibia |
| Nationality | Namibian |
| Political party | Landless People's Movement |
| Occupation | Regional Councillor |
| Profession | Politician |
Political career
editMinnaar was a member of the ruling SWAPO and worked for the ǁKaras Region before joining the Landless People's Movement.[1] She was the leader of the party's women command and a member of the party's political action committee.[1]
In 2019, incumbent SWAPO regional councillor for Keetmanshoop Urban, Hilma Nicanor, resigned to contest a parliamentary seat in that year's general election. A by-election was promptly called for and Minnaar was fielded as the LPM's candidate.[2] She campaigned on building a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre in the region, if elected.[3] Minnaar won the by-election on 15 January 2020 and consequently became the LPM's first regional councillor.[4] She was sworn in on 17 January.[1]
Death
editMinnaar died on 10 August 2020 at the Lady Pohamba Private Hospital in the capital Windhoek.[5] She was 47 years old and is survived by her parents and son. Various politicians paid tribute to Minnaar, including LPM national leader Bernadus Swartbooi, who called her a "modern-day female revolutionary".[6][7] Since regional elections are set to be held in November, the Electoral Commission of Namibia opted to keep the councillor position vacant until the election.[8]
References
edit- ^ a b c Klukowski, Steve (21 January 2020). "Minnaar makes commitment to serve". New Era Live. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
- ^ "The battle for control of Keetmans Urban". Karas. New Era. 15 January 2020. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
- ^ "LPM's Maxie Minnaar promises rehabilitation centre for Keetmanshoop". Namibian Broadcasting Corporation. 12 December 2019. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
- ^ "Tussenverkiesingsuitslae bevestig". Die Republikein (in Afrikaans). 16 January 2020. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
- ^ Cloete, Luqman (11 August 2020). "LPM regional councillor passes on". The Namibian. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
- ^ "Minnaar a modern-day female revolutionary - Swartbooi". Namibian Broadcasting Corporation. 11 August 2020. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
- ^ Klukowski, Steven (12 August 2020). "Tributes pour in for LPM councillor". New Era. Khomas. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
- ^ Tjitemisa, Kuzeeko (19 August 2020). "No new by-election for Keetmanshoop". New Era. Retrieved 31 August 2020.