By John Ekongo
WINDHOEK
The City of Windhoek recently introduced its Junior Town Council members to the public.
Windhoek Mayor Mathew Shikongo said the council is committed to making the city a vibrant and economical one in their efforts to enhance the quality of life of its people.
Shikongo said that it is against such background that the municipality puts great emphasis on youth developmental issues.
“Whenever I am in the presence of the young people of Namibia, I feel the vibrancy, energy and potential of the youth amongst us,” said Shikongo.
The mayor believes that the youth of this country are the heirs of tomorrow’s Namibia, and said that history will cast a bad eye on them if they do not shape and prepare the youth for their roles as future leaders.
“We are cognizant of the fact that if the people, especially the youth, are to be at the centre of development, the process must be participatory; and one in which they have a voice. It is for this reason that the City of Windhoek continues to involve the youth as part of a holistic approach on public participation and representative democracy,” said Shikongo.
Members of the Junior Town Council are drawn from all schools in the city and are in office for a period of one year. The junior councillors are expected to work closely together with the City of Windhoek in community related projects, designed to uplift and encourage the youth.
Outgoing Junior Council Mayor, Hassan Engelbrecht, expressed gratitude for having been accorded the chance to serve as a junior town mayor, saying that he had indeed learned lessons that will be valuable in life.
On the other hand incoming junior mayor, Elsabe van Vuuren from Windhoek High School, assured those in attendance that they will continue the excellent working programmes established by the previous junior town council.
So far the new junior council has already identified an outreach programme for the settlement of Havana on the outskirts of Windhoek.
The group wishes to embark on a cleaning campaign at the settlement.