Cecilia Xavier
OPUWO – New Opuwo Town Council COE Matjandjara Tjihuura-Katurota assumed duty last week, making her the first female to occupy this executive role here.
On the day, she set the tone of what is to be expected at the council under her stewardship for the next five years.
“We should be very customer-oriented. We are not bosses in our offices; we are servants. So, let us be servants and serve the community with the dignity and respect they deserve. [The] second is time management, which is one of my highest expectations from each employee. Let us utilise the council’s time effectively [with] no compromise. Any [form of] absenteeism will not be tolerated; please take it seriously,” stressed Tjihuura-Katurota.
In her congratulatory speech, Opuwo mayor Rosa Mbinge-Tjeundo noted that the process of appointing the CEO had not taken long, and applauded the council for working together, despite their political affiliations.
“I know from experience in Namibia that many local authorities are faced with challenges of appointing CEOs. It’s taking years and years for CEOs to be appointed. The Opuwo Town Council had started timeously with the preparation for the appointment of the CEO, and it went very smoothly. Within three months, our CEO was appointed,” she added.
She is also confident that Tjihuura-Katurota will deliver the council’s five-year strategic plan.
The mayor then urged the council and subordinates to render their full support to the new CEO in order to achieve the strategic objectives.
Tjihuura-Katurota, a seasoned employee in the local authorities’ sphere, took over from Petrus Shuuya, whose contract was not extended.
She is a seasoned executive of 17 years, 14 of which were in financial management at various local authorities. Her current managerial role focuses on finances and assets.
Her journey started up north at the Ruacana Town Council before moving to the Okahandja municipality. Before heading to Omaruru, she headed the finance and administration department at the Karibib municipality.
A trained soldier, Tjihuura-Katurota has a master’s degree in international business from the Namibia University of Science and Technology, and another in accounting from the University of Namibia.
On his part, Kunene regional council chairperson Hendrik Gaobaeb cautioned the new office incumbent to avoid befriending council members and colleagues, noting that such an act causes instability and failures.
“Let the policies guide you. Straight in their faces, tell these councillors: ‘There are no funds, you will not travel to Windhoek’. You need that relationship to be kept, but if you try to buy them, it will not last long. Don’t do those things, otherwise you will spoil your work. Meanwhile, don’t give your councillors different treatment, including the staff members; give them equal treatment,” he urged.
* Cecilia Xavier works for the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology in Opuwo.