Dalene Kooper
LÜDERITZ – Regional councillor for the Engela constituency in the Ohangwena region, Immanuel Haixuxwa, on Monday led a two-day study visit to Lüderitz.
This was part of efforts to draw lessons from the town’s waterfront development model ahead of a planned local expo later this year.
Addressing officials during the visit, Haixuxwa said the engagement aims to familiarise the delegation with key aspects of waterfront development. This includes operational structures, infrastructure set-up and event hosting strategies.
“We are planning to host our expo later this year for the first time. We believe learning from established institutions will greatly assist us in organising a successful and sustainable event,” he said. Haixuxwa added that the visit will enable the delegation to better understand best practices in waterfront development and urban regeneration.
This is while gaining insight into stakeholder coordination, including public-private partnerships.
The councillor noted that observing Lüderitz Waterfront development company’s operational model would provide valuable lessons on how to promote tourism and stimulate local economic development.
“We also aim to identify strategies for sustainable infrastructure development and maintenance,” he said. Haixuxwa stated that the knowledge gained will contribute to informed decision-making, improved planning and enhanced service delivery within his constituency. He said the experience will further strengthen the region’s capacity to implement innovative and sustainable initiatives for the benefit of the local community.
CEO of the Lüderitz Waterfront development company Samuehl Fluksman said he is pleased to share his experiences and best practices as well as knowledge to drive development.
“We will be discussing issues on governance and leadership. Development comes in many ways. This includes sustainable infrastructure development and human development,” he stated.
He added that the Lüderitz Waterfront development company will support the expo that the Engela constituency is planning to host later this year.
“The team is mostly here to learn how to organise the expo, just like our crayfish festival, alongside marketing,” the CEO said.
He shared that he plans to make Lüderitz the number one tourism destination in the //Kharas region. “There is a reason we want to position Lüderitz ten years ahead. With the recent oil discovery and the green hydrogen project, Lüderitz Waterfront as a state entity is very clear in terms of where we want to take the country,” Fluksman said.
The Engela constituency delegation consisted of traditional leaders, business owners, teachers and youth.
The visit forms part of efforts by the Engela constituency to adopt innovative and sustainable development initiatives for the benefit of the local community.