New mayor cracks the whip
The new Okahandja town council has pledged to restore the 'Garden Town' to its former glory.
NAMPA
WINDHOEK
The newly elected leadership of the Okahandja municipality will conduct audits to ascertain that councillors do not make the public office a haven for a quick road to illicit wealth, its new mayor, Natasha Brinkman, has said.
Brinkman, in an interview with Nampa on Monday, said the days of corrupt councillors were over and that residents of Okahandja had suffered for too long at the hands of the previous councillors who had no interest in serving the masses.
Therefore, during her tenure, she would make sure the public's interest is put above that of the councillors who occupy public office and have access to public resources.
“We will be guided by the democratic principles of transparency, accountability, and diligence in the conduct of this important responsibility.
“As the new mayor, I also recognise the gravity of political responsibility the electorate has given us. We support urban and informal settlement reform for families in low-income brackets who are deprived of land simply because they cannot afford it,” said Brinkman.
She said she planned to consult the business community and the public, assisted by the council, to identify strategic issues that would frame strategic objectives in order to enable the entire community to have input and share ownership of the strategic plan.
That would put the community in a position to hold the council accountable, with a focus directed towards industrialisation and commercialisation through the delivery of fast, efficient, and equitable services to the residents of Okahandja.
“I have lived in Okahandja for the past 26 years and have seen the degradation of the once referred garden town of Namibia.
The town's rundown infrastructure, from parks and roads to public buildings, is a sore sight; the filth in our suburbs and informal settlements makes anyone wonder how humans can live in such deplorable conditions.
“This and many more are what inspired me to run for office. I do not promise overnight miracles but together with the council, we will work hand in hand to demonstrate that restoring the dignity of our people is not a mere slogan of my party,” said Brinkman.
The town's previous council was accused of corruption and maladministration, to the extent where then minister of urban and rural development Peya Mushelenga suspended the entire council until their term was over.
WINDHOEK
The newly elected leadership of the Okahandja municipality will conduct audits to ascertain that councillors do not make the public office a haven for a quick road to illicit wealth, its new mayor, Natasha Brinkman, has said.
Brinkman, in an interview with Nampa on Monday, said the days of corrupt councillors were over and that residents of Okahandja had suffered for too long at the hands of the previous councillors who had no interest in serving the masses.
Therefore, during her tenure, she would make sure the public's interest is put above that of the councillors who occupy public office and have access to public resources.
“We will be guided by the democratic principles of transparency, accountability, and diligence in the conduct of this important responsibility.
“As the new mayor, I also recognise the gravity of political responsibility the electorate has given us. We support urban and informal settlement reform for families in low-income brackets who are deprived of land simply because they cannot afford it,” said Brinkman.
She said she planned to consult the business community and the public, assisted by the council, to identify strategic issues that would frame strategic objectives in order to enable the entire community to have input and share ownership of the strategic plan.
That would put the community in a position to hold the council accountable, with a focus directed towards industrialisation and commercialisation through the delivery of fast, efficient, and equitable services to the residents of Okahandja.
“I have lived in Okahandja for the past 26 years and have seen the degradation of the once referred garden town of Namibia.
The town's rundown infrastructure, from parks and roads to public buildings, is a sore sight; the filth in our suburbs and informal settlements makes anyone wonder how humans can live in such deplorable conditions.
“This and many more are what inspired me to run for office. I do not promise overnight miracles but together with the council, we will work hand in hand to demonstrate that restoring the dignity of our people is not a mere slogan of my party,” said Brinkman.
The town's previous council was accused of corruption and maladministration, to the extent where then minister of urban and rural development Peya Mushelenga suspended the entire council until their term was over.
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