By Charles Tjatindi
SWAKOPMUND
The Swakopmund Town Council has elected Germina Shitaleni as its new mayor. Shitaleni was elected at a recent special council meeting here. She takes over the reins from Rosina //Hoebes, and is deputised by Paul Rooi.
The town council also elected John Ngolombe as chairman of its management committee while outgoing mayor Rosina //Hoebes is vice chairperson.
Priscilla Kavita and Trofimus Shikongo retained their positions as members of the management committee. Other members elected onto the management committee include Elifas //Khoaseb, Sophia Motinga, Peter Steinkoff and Abilas !Gaseb.
In her acceptance speech, Shitaleni noted that the relationships between the political leadership and administrators at the municipality need to be strengthened to achieve the council’s vision of maintaining safe and affordable services to residents. Shitaleni believes council vision cannot be achieved in the absence of a harmonious relationship between these two sectors.
Shitaleni added that the Swakopmund Town Council has over the years received a clean bill of health from the office of the Auditor General, which is testimony to the stringent measures that are exercised by the town council.
“Together, we should all strive to create and maintain an organisational environment that promotes learning, respect, trust, support, personal growth and productivity in order to develop and retain effective and committed employees,” she said.
The newly elected mayor urged her staff to uphold transparency and good ethics in the execution of their duties.
“Transparency should be the buzz word in the execution of your duties at all times. Our staff members are the people that are expected to implement decisions taken by council and thus I would like to encourage you to re-dedicate yourselves to service without fear and favour,” said Shitaleni.
The Swakopmund Town Council comprises 10 councillors of which six are Swapo members, two UDF and one each from the Congress of Democrats and the Swakopmund Residents Association. The elections were presided over by Magistrate Johanna Sophia Prinsloo and witnessed by Erongo Regional Governor, Samuel Nuuyoma, and council staff members.