KEETMANSHOOP – Politicians and residents have agreed that Krönlein suburb in Keetmanshoop be incorporated into the Keetmanshoop Urban constituency.
This was among their oral submissions during a meeting with the fifth Boundaries Delimitation and Demarcation Commission (BDDC) in the town on Monday.
The commission is visiting all regions in the country with the aim of delimiting and demarcating the boundaries of Namibia, subject to established legislation.
For Krönlein resident and community activist Percy Charlies, it is strange that while they do benefit from projects within the Keetmanshoop Rural constituency, under whose demarcation and jurisdiction they resort; they are forced to pay rates and taxes to the Keetmanshoop municipality, which forms part of Keetmanshoop Urban constituency currently.
This is a miscarriage of service delivery, he opined.
“We must now pay up to N$80 000 for a serviced erf to the municipality, whilst Keetmanshoop Rural residents pay N$12 000 in places like Aroab and Koës. Did we now become cash cows?” he wanted to know.
Also contributing to the discourse was Nama Traditional Leaders’ Association secretary general Deodat Dirkse, who said incorporating Krönlein into Keetmanshoop Urban constituency should not be the main hurdle.
“I fully support the proposal, but we are also proposing that Keetmanshoop Urban be divided into Keetmanshoop East and West areas in terms of the respected suburbs,” advised Dirkse.
Meanwhile, Adelheid Jacobs argued that population numbers should not be the only determining factor the commission looks at. “Issues pertaining to social development should first be considered,” she said.
She continued that the proposal to add Naute Dam to Berseba constituency will not be in the best interest of residents living there.
“Most of those approximately 400 people are seasonal workers living in Keetmanshoop, hence the area should be included under Keetmanshoop Urban constituency,” Jacobs argued.
At the meeting, it was unanimously agreed that consultations and meetings should first take place before final decisions can be taken on adding or removing towns and suburbs from constituencies, or determining new boundaries.
In her welcoming remarks, governor Aletta Frederick said the gathering marks a significant milestone in the region’s democratic journey, where all stakeholders come together to engage in a process that will shape the future of their electoral boundaries.
“The exercise of delimiting and demarcating boundaries is not merely a technical procedure; it is a fundamental aspect of our democracy since the boundaries delineated through this process will determine the representation of our citizens at various levels of governance, including regional, constituency and local authority areas, “ Frederick said.
She urged residents to actively participate in this process by making proposals and recommendations that reflect their needs, aspirations and concerns.
In remarks delivered on his behalf, commission chairperson, acting judge Petrus Unengu said the powers and functions of the body are to recommend the determination of the boundaries and names of regions, constituencies and local authorities in accordance with the supreme law of the land.
“The delineation of the regions and local authorities shall be geographical only, without any reference to the race, colour or ethnic origin of the inhabitants of such areas,” Unengu said.