WINDHOEK – Namibia now having four female governors out of the 14 political regional heads is a sign of progress towards gender balance in government structures, says Kavango East Governor Dr Samuel Mbambo.
Speaking to New Era yesterday after President Pohamba announced Sirkka Ausiku’s appointment as governor for Kavango West on Saturday, Mbambo said he was optimistic that Ausiku was more than capable to deliver. He also expressed his joy that Ausiku’s appointment “could not have come at a better time”.
“We are really moving towards equal gender representation because we now have four female governors. This appointment is good for the region because she [Ausiku] has been a permanent secretary in a ministry that deals with regional matters, so she is clearly well equipped,” said an excited Mbambo.
Ausiku joins other female governors such as Sophia Shaningwa of Omusati, Laura Mcleod-Katjirua for Khomas and Katrina Hanse-Himwarwa for Hardap. He described Ausiku as someone who is good at listening and at the same time good at giving advice.
Mbambo also lauded Pohamba for once again proving unpredictable when making appointments, adding that it is the mark of a good leader. “She is a very highly respected person in the region and therefore she will fit perfectly in any of the two Kavango regions,” he said. Mbambo and Ausiku are two of the founding members of the Namibian National Teachers Union in Kavango.
“She knows how to network and I am happy that I will have her as my neighbour,” he said.
Ausiku is currently the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Regional and Local Government, Housing and Rural Development. President Pohamba announced her appointment as governor of Kavango West on Saturday at the Swapo Party Central Committee meeting held in Windhoek.
Although it has not been made official, sources said Pohamba will soon announce that Ausiku’s special advisor will be the former Namibian Ambassador of Namibia to Cuba, Heikki Hausiku. Hausiku is the first mayor of Kavango West’s administration hub, Nkurenkuru.
By Mathias Haufiku
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