Former Arandis mayor, Swapo’s Risto Kapenda has been re-elected as the town’s mayor, replacing Independent Patriots for Change (IPC)’s Erastus Kandenge who served two terms.

Kapenda was replaced by Kandenge in 2020 after he served as the town’s mayor since 2014.

In his acceptance speech, Kapenda said that although the councillors are from different political parties with different ideologies, they all have one responsibility in common, which is to uplift the town of Arandis.

“We have been entrusted in these positions in order to develop our town and its people. Let us, therefore, work together as a team in order to improve Arandis from languishing poverty,” he noted.

Kapenda is being deputised by Kandenge.

Former deputy mayor, United Democratic Front (UDF)’s Cecilie Hoebes has been elected as chairperson of the management committee.

Meanwhile, Swakopmund and Henties Bay mayors Dina Namubes and Lewies Vermaak both retained their positions in elections held on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively.

In her acceptance speech, IPC’s Namubes placed emphasis on the council’s responsibility to see that the education needs of Swakopmund residents are strengthened and that housing needs, water and electricity as well as sanitary services are met.

She further added that the restoration of human dignity remains a key priority for her office, noting that among others, the council will look to create young leadership initiatives in the coming year that can foster and shape the next generation of leaders.

“With the high prevalence of alcohol and drug abuse, we wish to embark on activities that will create awareness with the aim to decrease drug and alcohol abuse among women and young people. It is saddening also to witness the high number of children who still roam around the streets of Swakopmund and our aim is to create initiatives to draw street children to safe havens,” Namubes said.

Meanwhile, high on Vermaak’s priority is the provision of decent housing and employment for all residents of Henties Bay.

The council is currently in the process of formalising the !Goas informal settlement and has so far made the provision of 94 plots to some of the residents of the informal settlement.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency