Rehoboth maps out development priorities

Rehoboth mayor Jacky ≠Khariseb held a consultative engagement last Thursday with former mayor Amanda Groenewaldt and Lions Club Namibia members to draw on past leadership experience and discuss the town’s development priorities.

The meeting focused on capital projects initiated during the 2020–2025 council term, including projects currently being implemented.

"Civil society, community organisations and the local authorities should not view one another as competitors, but as complementary partners with different roles and responsibilities towards a common objective,” ≠Khariseb said at the meeting.

A major concern was the prepaid water meter system, introduced partly to improve revenue collection and address outstanding municipal debt. Participants questioned the fees residents must pay before purchasing water, currently N$350 for ordinary consumers and N$115 for pensioners.

They called for practical and sustainable debt-collection approaches that encourage payment while taking residents’ financial circumstances into account.

Concerns were also raised about newly installed prepaid electricity meters, with participants stressing the need for technical assessments, clear communication with residents and corrective measures where necessary.

Lions Club Namibia and the Rehoboth Community Development Committee were identified as potential partners in mobilising resources and community participation to establish parks on identified public open spaces.

Quality of life and the town

Ideas were also discussed for pavements along Church Street, from Woermann Brock to the four-way stop near the shopping centre, to improve pedestrian safety, accessibility and the town’s appearance.

Potential development opportunities around the hot water springs near the old age home and hospital were discussed.

The future of Reho-Spa was also discussed, with the council considering reopening the pool area in September while renovation work under phases 4 and 5 continues.

Land and development challenges also featured prominently, particularly delays in obtaining ministerial approvals for plots and erven and developers who have acquired land but have not started development.

Participants said these delays were discouraging given Rehoboth’s continued need for housing, economic activity and investment.