Africa-Press – Namibia. At a time when resources are stretched and development projects take time to complete, the Samora Machel constituency stands out as a special case.
Over the past four years, constituency councillor Nestor Kalola has initiated progress without waiting for big government budgets.
At the heart of his achievements are strategic land acquisitions for essential public services, including two schools, a hospital and a police station.
“We don’t have time to wait for perfect conditions and a sufficient budget. Development must continue, even in small steps, with or without a dedicated budget, because our people’s needs are urgent,” he stated.
As Namibia prepares for the upcoming regional and local authorities councils elections, New Era sat down with Kalola, who recounted the work accomplished since assuming office in 2021.
Strategy
From education and health to security and economic empowerment, he is walking into the election season “a happy man”.
“I will walk out a happy man since I know that at least I did my best, and I delivered to expectations,” he said.
Kalola said one of his immediate priorities upon taking office was to address the critical shortage of classroom space in the constituency.
“From 2021 when I took office, I experienced the need for more classroom space as I realised that some learners did not get placement,” he noted.
“Together with my constituency development committee (CDC) members, we constructed three classrooms at the Olof Palme Primary School, three at the Faith Primary School, and two at the Martti Ahtisaari Primary School within that year.”
Kalola further facilitated the establishment of a new school in collaboration with the City of Windhoek and the directorate of education. Land was allocated in 2023, a principal was appointed, and 43 teachers were recruited. Although the new school still shares space with the Olof Palme Primary for now, its own stand-alone infrastructure is underway.
“The land is already fenced off with funds from the Khomas Regional Council (KRC). Tents are already set up on-site for learners and teachers to move in,” he continued.
Despite this progress, 180 learners were again left without placements in 2025. Kalola responded by working with education officials to appoint a principal for a second new school, which will soon relocate to Goreangab.
Two plots had been secured – one for the primary school and the other for the secondary school – but further negotiations are ongoing to ensure each school has its own land.
He also highlighted the procurement of 14 computers for the Greenwell Matongo Community Library to support digital literacy.
Health
On health, the councillor reported that a prefabricated clinic was erected at Goreangab on land earmarked for a future health centre.
“We managed to put up a prefabricated clinic on that land with little funds from the KRC. The structure is already there. The purpose of that one is a health centre, not just a clinic.”
Security
Security has been another cornerstone of Kalola’s leadership. “We are the first constituency to come up with the CCTV camera project in 2022. The cameras were installed in our streets, and monitored by the City Police,” he said.
“Since the installation of the cameras, cases of crime have dropped, especially in previously-known hotspots.”
He said land for constructing a police station in the Goreangab Dam area had already been secured and fenced off, also with funding from the KRC.
“The council has allocated a budget for the establishment of a prefabricated sub-station on this site, while the responsible ministry is in the process of organising its budget to construct a permanent police station as the land is officially earmarked for a full police station, not a sub-station,” he emphasised.
Network
One of the most sobering moments of Kalola’s term came in April 2021. “A pregnant woman was raped in one of the informal settlements,” he recalled.
This tragic incident happened in an area with no cellphone network, and it pushed him to act swiftly. Working with Powercom, he secured two mobile towers, one at Goreangab Dam and another on the road to Havana.
Economy
Economic empowerment also featured strongly in his tenure. Improvements at the Eveline Street Open Market included permanent storage structures funded by the American embassy, reducing the burden on vendors who previously had to carry stock home daily.
Kalola likewise worked to improve trading conditions for informal vendors. The open market on Eveline Street, for instance, has been transformed from a roof-only structure to one with proper stalls and storage facilities.
“Before, vendors carried everything home on their heads every day. Now, they lock up and go home safely,” he beamed.
“Partnerships are key. You don’t always need massive government budgets if you can mobilise goodwill and negotiate smartly.”
The constituency supported local entrepreneurs through annual grants. Two separate allocations – N$230 000 for large-scale enterprises’ development and N$270000 under the EGA (Economic Growth Assistance) programme – were provided annually to support business initiatives.
Support
Kalola has not limited his development efforts to bricks and mortar. He’s also invested in human capital and grassroots’ economic empowerment.
Each year, the constituency allocates N$50 000 towards vulnerable school- learners, based on assessments by Life Skills teachers, and another N$50 000 for blanket distribution to the elderly and those in need. Support was furthermore extended to tertiary students through dedicated registration subsidies, who benefit from annual bursary contributions totalling N$40 000. “We used to assist learners at tertiary level with N$25 000, and Namibia College of Open Learning learners with N$15 000 per year. It might seem small, but for a learner trying to register for classes, it can mean the difference between dropping out or continuing,” he stressed.
Small businesses, too, received critical support. Through two separate funding initiatives, the Economic Growth Accelerator (EGA) and the Khomas Council’s Enterprise Support Fund, Kalola’s office facilitated access to N$500 000 annually.
“We prioritise projects which create jobs. This is how we stimulate real growth,” he said proudly.
One of the most visible outcomes is the Olof Palme Community Garden, a funded initiative which provides food and employment to locals.
Leadership
Asked whether his seat had proved more challenging or manageable than expected, Kalola responded thoughtfully. “The seat is not hot; it’s not cold. It’s in- between. Sometimes you have plans, but there is no budget. You are there to serve the people. You have to plan for them.”
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