Mayors disappointed as Sankwasa snubs annual AGM
President of the Namibia National Mayors Forum, Dr Samuel !Oe-Amseb, has criticised the non-attendance of key urban and rural development officials, including minister Sankwasa James Sankwasa, at last week’s annual general meeting in Windhoek.
!Oe-Amseb said the failure of senior ministry officials to attend was discouraging, particularly given the crucial partnership between local authorities and the ministry.
“We invited the ministry, the minister, the deputy minister, the executive director, even the deputy executive director, but they could not come. We are just next to their door, and they are not coming to us,” he said. “This is a disappointment," he added.
“Nevertheless, our annual agenda has to go ahead without them,” he noted firmly.
During his keynote address, !Oe-Amseb reminded delegates that local authorities are not subordinate to central government but form a constitutionally recognised tier of governance under Chapter 12 of Namibia’s Constitution.
He explained that this legal status gives municipalities and town councils both the mandate and responsibility to govern, regulate and uphold standards that safeguard residents’ welfare and ensure accountability.
Guardians of standards and safety
!Oe-Amseb highlighted that local authorities serve as regulators within their jurisdictions, with powers to ensure that construction, business operations and service delivery meet safety and quality standards.
“For a building to go up, you must authorise that the plans are according to [standards] ... so that whoever lives there is safe,” he said.
He also gave practical examples of how councils regulate local businesses, such as butcheries and bakeries, to ensure compliance with safety and structural standards before issuing certificates of fitness.
Unity in local governance
Reflecting on the forum’s progress, !Oe-Amseb praised the growing cooperation among Namibia’s municipalities and town councils, noting that the forum had succeeded in uniting key associations under a single umbrella body.
“We cannot fight in separation. We need to unify so that we speak with one voice,” he said, referring to the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Namibia National Mayors Forum, the Association of Local Authorities in Namibia (ALAN), and the Namibia Association of Local Authority Officials (NALAO).
He said such collaboration ensures that local authorities can better advocate for policy alignment, resource allocation and recognition within the national governance framework.
Inclusive vision
Looking to the future, !Oe-Amseb urged mayors to focus on building “smarter, greener and more inclusive” urban spaces while strengthening public trust through transparency and ethical leadership.
“Local authorities are the conduit of government programmes. When people are happy, they can appreciate their government,” he said.
!Oe-Amseb said the failure of senior ministry officials to attend was discouraging, particularly given the crucial partnership between local authorities and the ministry.
“We invited the ministry, the minister, the deputy minister, the executive director, even the deputy executive director, but they could not come. We are just next to their door, and they are not coming to us,” he said. “This is a disappointment," he added.
“Nevertheless, our annual agenda has to go ahead without them,” he noted firmly.
During his keynote address, !Oe-Amseb reminded delegates that local authorities are not subordinate to central government but form a constitutionally recognised tier of governance under Chapter 12 of Namibia’s Constitution.
He explained that this legal status gives municipalities and town councils both the mandate and responsibility to govern, regulate and uphold standards that safeguard residents’ welfare and ensure accountability.
Guardians of standards and safety
!Oe-Amseb highlighted that local authorities serve as regulators within their jurisdictions, with powers to ensure that construction, business operations and service delivery meet safety and quality standards.
“For a building to go up, you must authorise that the plans are according to [standards] ... so that whoever lives there is safe,” he said.
He also gave practical examples of how councils regulate local businesses, such as butcheries and bakeries, to ensure compliance with safety and structural standards before issuing certificates of fitness.
Unity in local governance
Reflecting on the forum’s progress, !Oe-Amseb praised the growing cooperation among Namibia’s municipalities and town councils, noting that the forum had succeeded in uniting key associations under a single umbrella body.
“We cannot fight in separation. We need to unify so that we speak with one voice,” he said, referring to the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Namibia National Mayors Forum, the Association of Local Authorities in Namibia (ALAN), and the Namibia Association of Local Authority Officials (NALAO).
He said such collaboration ensures that local authorities can better advocate for policy alignment, resource allocation and recognition within the national governance framework.
Inclusive vision
Looking to the future, !Oe-Amseb urged mayors to focus on building “smarter, greener and more inclusive” urban spaces while strengthening public trust through transparency and ethical leadership.
“Local authorities are the conduit of government programmes. When people are happy, they can appreciate their government,” he said.
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