SWAKOPMUND – Outgoing Usakos mayor Irene Simeon- Kurtz says her time in office focused on rebuilding systems, restoring confidence in the town council and improving service delivery for residents. 

Reflecting on her time as the towns first citizen, the business woman said that despite challenges and Usakos being regarded as a small town, the council along with dedicated staff made sure key services are accessible to residents. 

She says the appointment of the current CEO Lesley Goraseb and key senior staff was one of the key successes of the council during their tenure. 

“Due do the efficiently of administration and council, several infrastructure projects are currently underway in Saamstaan, Ongulumbashe and Bo-Dorp. These include sewer and water upgrades, electrical connections funded by Erongo Red, and road development in Erongosig and Hakhaseb,” she explained. She said that the government through the line ministry also invested close to N$100 million in these projects that will benefit more than 500 households at the town. 

She also indicated that the council addressed unemployment and the lack of skills among young people through the signing of several agreements aimed at long-term development in the town. 

Simeon-Kurtz says these include partnerships with Welwitchia University, Lingua College, Telecom Namibia, NHE, Agile Technology and TransNamib. 

The agreements according to her focuses on tertiary education, technology-based learning, housing, SME development and infrastructure expansion. 

“We also launched key planning documents that will guide future growth. Among them are the 2025–2044 Structure plan, the new Town Planning Scheme, the 2025–2030 Strategic plan, the 2024–2029 Valuation Roll and the updated LED Strategy,” she said. 

These documents, she said, reflects the town’s priorities and were drafted through public participation. 

“Usakos is no longer a dusty town with only a past. It is becoming a modern town with a clear direction,” she said. 

However, she raised concern over the town’s debt, which currently stands at about N$29 million in total. She also expressed her concern over the increase in crime, especially gender-based violence that claimed so many lives at the town. 

Simeon-Kurtz also, urged Namibian Police to fully operate from the building provided by the council after the death of the young woman, Lena Williams, 29, who was brutally murdered in April 2024 by her ex-boyfriend, who stabbed her multiple times at her home in the Saamstaan location. 

“Above all, we the outgoing council hope that the incoming council will continue implementing the projects and plans launched this year,” she said. 

-edeklerk@nepc.com.na