MARIENTAL – Desiree Theunissen has been appointed as the chief executive officer of the Gibeon Village Council. Theunissen is no stranger in running public offices.

After completing her degree in media studies at the University of Namibia, she enrolled for a short internship with the Mariental Municipality before joining larger town councils, such as Otjiwarongo and Walvis Bay, before returning to her home village of Gibeon. 

Theunissen says her first priority is to try to bring back the glory of Gibeon that was so prevalent during the times of the former Swapo vice-president and first deputy prime minister, the late Hendrik Witbooi.

“One of my priorities is to bring Gibeon back on the map permanently by taking development to the B1 Road so that it could be visible and develop like any other town in the country. Since leaving university, I gained a lot of experience in terms of local government. I stand ready to build my hometown/village now,” Theunissen said.  

Thuenissen is also the chief coordinator for the governor of the Hardap Region, Katrina Hanse-Himarwa, and the backyard gardening initiative. “We are making good progress in this regard,” she said. 

By Hoandi Gaeb