KATIMA MULILO — Re-elected Katima Mulilo Urban constituency councillor Keneddy Simasiku has outlined his key plans and priorities for the year.

He pledges sustainable development anchored in basic service delivery, youth empowerment and strong stakeholder collaboration.

In an interview with New Era over the weekend, Simasiku said the government’s vision remains sustainable development based on the provision of basic services such as water, sewer and electricity, but importantly achieved hand in hand with public infrastructure. “This will be realised through dependability, accountability and selfless service to the residents who, through the Swapo Party, gave me this mandate,” he said.

Simasiku’s new term will build on work already started, stressing that the focus is to deliver on campaign promises, rather than making new ones.

“We are starting exactly where we left off in 2025,” he said.

According to Simasiku, a major electrification project covering Chotto extensions 7 and 8, as well as Lwayaha, is already progressing, with the tender advertised and set to close on 16 January 2026.

“We campaigned on bringing electricity to these areas, and the tender is already out. That shows our commitment,” he said.

He further confirmed that projects to provide water, sewer services and access roads in Dairy, Nova and Makaravan West are underway, with a contractor already appointed.

“This term is about walking the talk,” Simasiku emphasised.

Youth empowerment

Youth development will remain a central pillar of Simasiku’s agenda, with his office set to act as a link between young people and national empowerment initiatives.

“Youth empowerment initiatives are already drawn up at the national level, and my office will be used as a conduit for youth to access information and be motivated to participate,” he said.

He said regular interactive sessions will be held with the Swapo Party Youth League, the constituency youth forum and other youth organisations to share information and explore opportunities available through government programmes.

Stakeholder engagement

Reflecting on the previous term, Simasiku highlighted the effectiveness of the Constituency Development Committee (CDC), which he credited with nurturing leadership at the local level.

“We had a very vibrant CDC that produced four local authority councillors for the Katima Mulilo Town Council. That shows we can produce leaders, and I am super proud of that achievement,” he noted.

Equally, Simasiku, who will also represent the region in the National Council, said the newly constituted CDC will continue to meet regularly to discuss development priorities, alongside broader community engagement meetings in various suburbs.

“We started engaging stakeholders on 9 January, and this process will involve all key stakeholders in Katima Urban constituency, including the town council,” he said.

Cooperation

Simasiku appealed to residents, particularly those in informal settlements, to support development processes once funding is secured.

“We will continue to mobilise and lobby for development funding,” he said. When this funding is secured, he pledged that the residents should allow the process to proceed unhindered, even where relocation from one plot to another may be necessary.

He stressed that relocations are intended to enable long-overdue service delivery.

“The intention is to bring the services people have needed for a long time,” he said. “Once infrastructure is in place, let us protect it, not vandalise it,” he added.

Priorities

At the National Council level, Simasiku said he will actively contribute to parliament on issues aligned with the Swapo Party manifesto, particularly agricultural development, natural resource beneficiation and sustainable employment creation. “Decisions in Parliament are collective, but I intend to make my voice heard,” he said. “I will not shy away from self-critique where the government may have fallen short, and I will always propose practical solutions to the challenges facing our people at the grassroots level,” he said.

He also reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining close working relations with the local authority.

“I will make myself available to the town council for regular interactions so that we can share ideas and advise each other on key issues affecting our electorate,” he said. Simasiku is one of the eight regional councillors who were sworn in by the Zambezi Regional Council after winning the November elections. Out of the eight councillors sworn in, seven are from the ruling Swapo Party, with one independent candidate, who retained his position.

Swapo’s Kabbe North councillor Bernard Sisamu, who previously served in that position, was elected as the new chairperson of the Zambezi Regional Council. Simasiku, together with Linyanti constituency councillor Progress Sipapela and Kabbe South councillor Raymond Sezuni, were elected as councillors to represent Zambezi at the National Council. 

Other members to serve on the management committee include Judea Lyaboloma councillor Vincent Sinalumbu and Sibbinda constituency councillor Matengu Nkando, all from Swapo.

Additionally, Katima Rural councillor Denis Mukena, also a member of Swapo, and independent candidate Bennety Busihu, who won the elections in the Kongola constituency, will serve as ordinary members.

– anakale@nepc.com.na