Africa-Press – Namibia. As Namibia gears up for the upcoming regional and local authorities’ elections, New Era (NE) continues to profile some of the aspiring candidates contesting in November. This week, we put Kennedy Simasiku (KS), the incumbent and aspiring Swapo candidate for Katima Mulilo Urban constituency, on the spot. He reflects on his past achievements, lessons learned and vision for the next term.
NE: You currently serve as the councillor for Katima Mulilo Urban. What two major achievements are you most proud of from your last term, and how did they benefit residents?
KS: During my 2021 campaign, I committed to lobbying for the implementation of long-stalled development projects. Four years later, I am proud to say that several of these have materialised. These include the construction and completion of the regional MVA office, Chotto Primary School and the UNAM School of Natural Resources campus.We also saw the installation of oxygen facilities at Katima State Hospital, the appointment of a Chief HR Practitioner at the ministry of health—the first since independence—and the construction of Greenwell Matongo Police Station and home affairs office. Additionally, we now have regional NamWater staff and completed fencing and classrooms at Alfea Sampofu Combined School.
Many of these projects had been pending for 14 to 30 years. I aggressively lobbied for their funding and implementation. They have not only improved service delivery and accessibility but also created temporary and permanent employment opportunities for our residents.
NE: Looking back, what would you identify as your biggest shortcoming or failure, and how will you address it in your next term?
KS: If there’s one area we could have done better, it’s community engagement through the media. We’ve achieved quite a lot, but due to limited media presence, many residents remain unaware of these accomplishments. Going forward, we plan to strengthen communication and visibility to ensure our people are fully informed and involved.
NE: Infrastructure remains a pressing challenge in Katima Mulilo. How do you plan to accelerate development in this sector?
KS: Infrastructure development is primarily the responsibility of the town council, but my office continues to play a key lobbying and support role. I am pleased to report that funds have already been secured for the upgrading of Sam Nujoma Road, Hage Geingob Drive, and three other roads. Delays were due to procurement issues, but work should begin soon.
Additionally, the town’s sewer system overhaul has been fully funded, and we’ll ensure implementation moves swiftly.
NE: The dissolution of the previous council was a major event. How will you restore public trust and ensure transparency in governance?
KS: Section 28(1)(f) of the Regional Councils Act empowers regional councils to assist local authorities. I will, therefore, be available to advise and support the new council to ensure it delivers on its mandate. Trust is earned through action and accountability—by providing tangible services like water and housing. My focus will be on delivering results and promoting good governance.
NE: Informal settlements such as Dairy, Makaravani West and Nova continue to face challenges. How will you ensure they are not left behind?
KS: We are already halfway through the formalisation process for these areas. My greatest concern has been water provision, as residents often fetch water as late as 02h00 or 03h00 a.m. due to low pressure.
In August 2025, we wrote to the minister of urban and rural development seeking funding for essential services in these communities. Thankfully, the ministry approved even more than we requested. The minister will soon announce these allocations for Dairy, Nova and Makaravani West, which will transform service delivery in these settlements.
NE: Some opposition councillors have raised concerns about one-party dominance. How will you ensure inclusive decision-making if re-elected?
KS: Democracy can be painful when misunderstood. The goal of contesting elections is to achieve majority governance so that the ruling party’s developmental agenda can be effectively implemented. As a proud Swapo member, I believe a united council under one leadership would ensure stability and progress. The previous council was marred by infighting and walkouts. A cohesive team would allow us to focus on service delivery, unity and accountability.
NE: What measurable targets will you set for your next term, and how will you ensure accountability to the public?
KS: Housing remains a priority. NHE, private developers, and the Green Valley project are making significant strides, but we need to expand low-income housing through the Build Together and Shack Dwellers Federation schemes.We’re also working toward the Namcol regional centre, which was delayed due to land issues, but is now progressing, and the meat processing plant near the abattoir, which has faced tender delays.
To ensure accountability, we’ll hold regular community engagement meetings, strengthen CDC forums and introduce a constituency podcast where we report progress and gather feedback directly from the youth and residents.
NE: Youth unemployment is a national concern. How will you promote economic opportunities for young people in Katima Mulilo Urban?
KS: Although urban constituencies fall largely under local authority structures, I have started the process of securing funding for an SME Park and hope the town council will provide land soon.We must also resolve the Katima Waterfront saga—a potential economic hub delayed by title deed issues.
Land delivery and investment attraction are key to job creation. Furthermore, reviving green scheme projects has the potential to employ hundreds of young people and boost local food production.
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