Matheus David
Elected at a young age to serve on the Mariental Municipal Council, Hermanus Isaaks says leadership is not a title to celebrate, but a responsibility to carry with care.
He is also the municipality’s management committee chairperson.
Given authority through the ballot by the residents of Mariental, Isaaks says the weight of that trust keeps him grounded and accountable.
“I do not take this lightly,” he said, stressing that leadership is not about visibility but about showing up when people need answers and action.
One of the most pressing issues facing Mariental is the lack of access to land, particularly for young people.
Isaaks, an LPM member, said that although N$75 million was allocated during the previous council term for the formalisation of informal settlements, challenges persist.
That process, he said, is continuing under the current council, following directives and time frames set by the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development.
The municipality is in the process of relocating residents from informal settlements to newly identified extensions, where land will be fully formalised and serviced. According to Isaaks, this includes the provision of basic services to ensure dignity and long-term stability for residents. He said the relocation process is prioritising people without formal land access, especially young people, to allow them a fair chance at owning land and building permanent homes.
Unemployment, particularly among the youth, remains a thorn in Mariental’s flesh. Isaaks described it as both a local and national crisis. In response, the council is pushing for a skills development programme aimed at benefiting approximately 230 young people in Mariental.
The initiative, still in the pipeline, is expected to equip participants with practical skills while also providing them with an allowance during training.
He noted that skills development must go beyond training alone. “You cannot give a skill without teaching someone how to sustain it,” he said, adding that mentorship and long-term empowerment are central to the programme’s vision.
While youth empowerment is a key focus, he emphasised that service delivery remains the Council’s core responsibility. From infrastructure maintenance to the renewal of streetlights, he said the goal is to create a safe, functional environment for all residents. Ensuring that municipal staff deliver services efficiently is, he added, part of serving the entire community.
Isaaks hopes Mariental’s future will rely on unity and collective effort. He calls on residents, young and old, to work together, reminding them that progress is strongest when energy meets experience.
–matheusshitongenidavid@gmail.com
