Ondangwa claims daily cleaning amidst Sankwasa’s ‘very dirty’ remark
Just a month after Urban and Rural Development Minister Sankwasa James Sankwasa described Ondangwa as one of the dirtiest towns in the country, the local authority has hit back, saying the town is cleaned daily.
The chairperson of the Ondangwa Town Council’s management committee, Julia Kapia, made the remarks on Friday during the town’s annual clean-up campaign.
She said that despite the ongoing efforts of municipalities, towns and cities continue to be labelled as dirty.
“Everywhere and every news you read, towns and cities are said to be dirty and unattractive, but towns and cities are cleaning every day and making all efforts to keep our towns and cities clean,” she said.
“It is therefore a joint responsibility of each and every resident or visitor in a town to ensure that we keep and maintain the cleanliness of our towns and cities.”
Kapia added that local authority leaders have a duty to promote cleanliness and good hygiene habits among residents.
“It is our responsibility as leaders in local authorities to educate our people on the benefits of living in a clean environment and teach them not to litter or urinate at every corner you find. Let us join hands as members of the media in educating our people,” she said.
Maintain cleanliness
During the week-long campaign, schools and other stakeholders are encouraged to maintain cleanliness in their surroundings.
However, during his visit to the town last month, Sankwasa did not mince his words when he criticised Ondangwa’s appearance.
“Ondangwa is very dirty and unattractive. It is not attractive at all to tourists and even just to us citizens. The town is not impressive. I want you to clean up this town,” Sankwasa said.
“Every time I pass through Ondangwa when visiting, I’m always met with dirt and plastic scattered all over the town. Employ people to clean up and have a clean town.”
Sankwasa has made similar comments in the past, including when he described Windhoek as the dirtiest city in Africa.
He also claimed that the capital has more potholes than any other local authority.
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The chairperson of the Ondangwa Town Council’s management committee, Julia Kapia, made the remarks on Friday during the town’s annual clean-up campaign.
She said that despite the ongoing efforts of municipalities, towns and cities continue to be labelled as dirty.
“Everywhere and every news you read, towns and cities are said to be dirty and unattractive, but towns and cities are cleaning every day and making all efforts to keep our towns and cities clean,” she said.
“It is therefore a joint responsibility of each and every resident or visitor in a town to ensure that we keep and maintain the cleanliness of our towns and cities.”
Kapia added that local authority leaders have a duty to promote cleanliness and good hygiene habits among residents.
“It is our responsibility as leaders in local authorities to educate our people on the benefits of living in a clean environment and teach them not to litter or urinate at every corner you find. Let us join hands as members of the media in educating our people,” she said.
Maintain cleanliness
During the week-long campaign, schools and other stakeholders are encouraged to maintain cleanliness in their surroundings.
However, during his visit to the town last month, Sankwasa did not mince his words when he criticised Ondangwa’s appearance.
“Ondangwa is very dirty and unattractive. It is not attractive at all to tourists and even just to us citizens. The town is not impressive. I want you to clean up this town,” Sankwasa said.
“Every time I pass through Ondangwa when visiting, I’m always met with dirt and plastic scattered all over the town. Employ people to clean up and have a clean town.”
Sankwasa has made similar comments in the past, including when he described Windhoek as the dirtiest city in Africa.
He also claimed that the capital has more potholes than any other local authority.
[email protected]
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