Adolf Kaure
Swapo Party’s Moses Garoeb constituency councillor Stefanus Ndengu has been elected as the new chairperson of the Khomas Regional Council (KRC) during a swearing-in ceremony presided over by Windhoek district magistrate Ndapewa Celma Amadhila.
During his inaugural speech, Ndengu vowed to address the growing unemployment rate in the region, mainly caused by urbanisation.
“Despite the progress we made, we are also keenly aware that many challenges remain. Our region continues to experience rapid urbanisation – every year, more people migrate to Khomas region (especially to Windhoek) in search of opportunities,” he said.
“This constant inflow puts immense pressure on service delivery, especially in our informal settlements. In addition, unemployment and poverty – particularly among our young people – remain unacceptable.”
According to the Namibia Statistics Agency 2023 Population and Housing Census and Labour Force Report, the broad unemployment rate in the Khomas region stands at 44.4%.
“Too many of our youth are still without jobs, and many families struggle to make ends meet. These realities remind us that our work is far from complete. They underscore the urgency for us, as the new council, to tackle these challenges head-on with renewed focus and energy,” said Ndengu. The councillor will serve alongside fellow Swapo comrades Wayne Sissing (Khomasdal constituency), Richard !Gaoseb (Katutura East ) and Willem Gariseb (Windhoek Rural ) in the council’s Management Committee for the next five years.
Christopher Likuwa (Tobias Hainyeko constituency), Charlton Moonde (John Pandeni), and Emma Muteka (Windhoek West ), also all from Swapo, will serve as the KRC’s representatives in the National Council.
The incoming KRC chairperson also outlined his commitment, together with his fellow regional councillors, to drive development in the region with a primary focus on effective service delivery and the welfare of the residents.
Five-year strategic plan
To fulfil their mandate, the Khomas Regional Council recently developed and launched its five-year strategic plan (2025/2026 to 2029/2030). The plan was crafted through stakeholder engagement and reflects the aspirations of its residents by outlining development priorities through four pillars.
These pillars are: sustainable economic growth, human development and community resilience, operational excellence in service delivery and environmental sustainability.
“Through these pillars, we will pursue our mandate tirelessly over the next five years by providing effective and people-oriented service delivery in order to improve the living standards of our people,” said Ndengu. Other councillors that make up the KRC are Popular Democratic Movement’s Rodman Katjaimo (Katutura Central) and Independent Patriots for Change’s Jochen Traut (Windhoek East).
Ndengu further highlighted the council’s key ingredient to success, being their unity of purpose and urged all councillors to work together regardless of political affiliation.
“Our diversity should be our strength. We are Namibians first and foremost, and we are servants of the people of Khomas above all.
Let us put aside our differences and join hands for the common good of our region. Indeed, it is only through teamwork that we will be able to record achievements and deliver the services our people deserve,” the chairperson said.
The Khomas Regional Council is guided by the core values of accountability, transparency, integrity, professionalism, responsiveness, teamwork and innovation.