Selma Gumbo

The annual election of office-bearers for the Opuwo Town Council was held this week, which saw no changes in portfolios for all leadership positions.

It was presided over by district magistrate Yvette Levier Frederics. Rosa Kamutuua Mbinge-Tjeundo retained her position as mayor, deputised by Kasipo Kakondo, while Licius Karee Mupya remains chairperson of the management committee.

The other councillor in the management committee is Tjijahura Forester, from the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), while  Wilhelmina Nashihwa from Swapo complements the team.

The remaining two councillors, Ruth Nderura and Victorino Saimon from Swapo, are ordinary members. In her acceptance speech, the mayor expressed gratitude to the other councillors who have the confidence in her to continue to lead them. She promised to work hand in hand with all the councillors as well as the office of the CEO to develop Opuwo to its maximum.

She also congratulated her fellow councillors, citing the manner in which they have been working together in harmony, although they are from different political parties.

Mbinge-Tjeundo promised to continue working with her fellow councillors, and to encourage the office of the CEO to implement council resolutions in a timely manner to realise the objectives of the development of the town.

She cited five key areas which need implementation as a matter of urgency.

These include the extension of town boundaries to enable the proper administration of the new planned airport; the provision of a large area for industrial purposes, offices, housing as well as a school of higher learning; the provision of recreation parks and a sports field, which is underway already, as well as museums and traditional villages to improve tourism; a dumping site as well as oxidation pond which can be turned into a water treatment facility; and addressing the water crisis.

“We will address environmental concerns, and together with other spheres of government and the private sector, find solutions on pressing issues. We will do so in the spirit of ‘Omundu Omundu mena rovandu’ (a person is a person because of others). Both councillors and management should work together for quality service delivery to our electorate”, said the mayor.

* Selma Gumbo works for the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology in the Kunene region.