OHANGWENA governor Kadiva Hamutumwa has urged regional councillors to separate politics from their official duties and focus on service delivery.
She said this during an orientation workshop for constituency councillors at Eenhana yesterday.
“We must leave politics out of work. We are here to deliver for the people. Politics has its place,” Hamutumwa said.
“But when the office of the governor, regional council or ministry is asking for something, it must be implemented as quickly as possible, because it is work and not politics,” she said.
Hamutumwa last year said the Ohangwena region has 12 constituencies suffering water scarcity, a lack of sanitation and sustainable livelihoods, exacerbated by limited resources and governance issues.
Key problems involve slow development due to bureaucracy and a growing population’s needs, she said.
Hamutumwa yesterday said leadership, service delivery and urgency will impact the region in the next 15 years.
She further called on councillors to focus on bread-and-butter issues urgently.
“Political life ends after five years, and if you haven’t taken stock of what it is you’ve done . . .
“The question is: How did you serve and what did you deliver? That is very important,” she said.
Hamutumwa said the Ohangwena region does not operate in isolation from the rest of the country.
It relies on the central government for budgets, decisions, and implementation.
She said councillors should assert their influence where decisions are made to serve the region’s residents.
Political analyst Sakaria Johannes, however, describes the governor’s remarks as theoretical and tough to achieve.
He says councillors from different political parties have different ideologies and, therefore, different ways to achieve progress.
“I don’t think practically that is achievable, though it is a good thing for councillors to put the national agenda first, rather than the political agenda. But politics is a game that must be won,” he says.
Former Lüderitz councillor Annemari Hartzenberg says administrative politics is the “elephant in the room” in councils.
“Politics in councils is a big challenge as some staff belonging to affiliated political parties often sabotage service delivery.”
She advocates for councils to adopt an annual or quarterly performance management system.
Meanwhile, former deputy Windhoek mayor Joseph Uapingene says councillors often look out for their own interests.
He advises them to remember the oath they took when sworn in to serve all citizens, regardless of party affiliation, to provide the services needed.
“You are bound to look after the interests of your party. But once sworn in, you are no longer serving your party but the nation, and that should guide you,” Uapingene says.
In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch.
It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.
The Namibian uses AI tools to assist with improved quality, accuracy and efficiency,
while
maintaining editorial oversight and journalistic integrity.
Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for
only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!