RUNDU – Former National Assembly Swapo chief whip Hamunyera Hambyuka has hit the ground running in his new role as Kavango East governor.
Welcoming him to the hotseat, chairperson of the Kavango East Regional Council Damian Maghambayi appealed to the inhabitants to unite and embrace the new era.
When the appointment was announced, some inhabitants of the region went to social media, and shared their grievances over Hambyuka’s roots.
“Let us work together with our new governor, offering constructive criticism and support that will help build a brighter future for all. I urge you all to set aside any divisions, and focus on the unity of purpose that will drive the progress of our region.’’ Maghambayi said.
Former governor Bonifatius Wakudumo handed over the office, and thanked the government and the Namibian people for entrusting him with the responsibility for the past five years.
“I formally hand over the office of the governor to you honourable governor. It was an honour to serve in this capacity, and work towards the betterment and enhancement of living standards of our community and citizens,” he said.
Wakudumo highlighted that during his tenure, the region made significant strides in improving access to education with a focus on increasing enrolment rates as well as improving infrastructure, which resulted in the construction of several new schools. “However, challenges remain in ensuring quality education, particularly in rural areas in which learners are taught in makeshift structures,” he said.
“We have upgraded existing health facilities and recruited skilled healthcare professionals, and the voluntary male circumcision and other awareness campaigns have been successfully launched, including several key campaigns. Our goal was to ensure the wellbeing of our community and prevent the spread of diseases,” he said.
“I wish you all the success in your new capacity as you work towards the betterment of our community and Namibia in general,” he said.
Accepting the responsibility, the new governor said he was ready to deliver.
“I lived and worked in this part of the region before and after independence. Moreover, when I was a Member of Parliament, I was assigned by the Swapo secretary general as leader of the national leaders. I’m very familiar, and I worked very closely with Wakudumo. So, my coming here is to continue with development programmes for the benefit of inhabitants and Namibia at large,” he noted.
Hambyuka said his welcoming event marks the beginning of many constructive engagements to improve service delivery.
“This is a daunting and challenging task and fulfilling at the same time. We have the mandate and duty to ensure that we work together to enhance and harness the collective potential of the citizens of this region, and this undertaking requires the determination of all of us, not the governor alone and not the councillors alone, but collectively under the banner of ‘Team Kavango East’ in order to change the economic situation and fortune of the region,” he said.
The governor pledged to be a servant of the people, to serve them with dignity and honour, and to continue building on his predecessor’s achievements.
-jmuyamba@nepc.com.na