“Councils have become ‘havens of personal enrichment’” – Deputy Minister
The Deputy Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Evelyn !Nawases-Taeyele, has called on newly elected regional and local authority councillors and senior officials to place accountability, integrity, and service delivery at the centre of their leadership, warning that corruption and poor management can no longer be tolerated. The Deputy Minister was delivering a speech on behalf of the Minister, Sankwasa James Sankwasa.
!Nawases-Taeyele was speaking on Monday at the official opening of the 2026 induction workshop for newly elected regional and local authority councillors, chief regional executive officers, management cadres, and administrative staff, held in Swakopmund under the theme “Accountability as the bedrock for effective governance to achieve effective service delivery in regional and local authority councils.”
Addressing participants from regional councils of Erongo, Omusati, and Kunene, municipality of Swakopmund, Henties Bay and Omaruru, town councils of Arandis, Karibib, and Usakos, and Kamanjab village council, !Nawases-Taeyele said the expectations of Namibians were clear and reasonable. “Namibians are not asking for the impossible from us. They want what is considered fair, what is decent for a quality, dignified life, and what every citizen in a democratic nation deserves,” she said.
She emphasised that service delivery failures at the regional and local level were eroding public trust, adding that good governance was not optional. “Good governance is not a favour – it is a duty. And service delivery is not an aspiration – it is a contract which we have entered into with the people of Namibia,” she said.
Delivering the Minister’s speech, !Nawases-Taeyele pointed to corruption, financial mismanagement, and land mismanagement as persistent challenges within some councils, saying audit reports painted a “gloomy picture”. !Nawases-Taeyele warned that councils had become “havens of personal enrichment” and vowed firm action against those responsible. “Whoever has caused financial damage to a government institution should be prepared to compensate the state for any such loss,” she said.
!Nawases-Taeyele further directed regional and local authorities to focus on priority areas such as affordable housing, sanitation, clean water, road infrastructure, and urban cleanliness. She reiterated government’s target to deliver at least 10,000 houses per year and called for urgency in formalising informal settlements.
“There will no longer be business as usual. To be honourable, one must do honourable things by demonstrating acceptable behaviour and delivering services as promised,” !Nawases-Taeyele remarked. She also urged councils to use procurement as a tool for job creation and local economic development, stressing that Namibian-owned businesses, youth, and women should benefit. “The time for Namibia First has come,” she told delegates.
The Swakopmund Mayor, Suamma Kautondokwa, welcomed participants to the coastal town and described the induction as a critical starting point for councillors’ terms of office, adding that the Minister’s presence underscored the importance of local government as “the sphere of government closest to the people.” Kautondokwa thanked the Ministry for selecting Swakopmund as the host town, noting the positive economic impact of the event. “By bringing this induction to Swakopmund, you are supporting local businesses, service providers, and livelihoods, which ultimately contribute to the betterment of the community,” she said.
Kautondokwa encouraged councillors to actively participate in the programme, saying it would equip them with essential knowledge of legislation, governance structures and operational processes. “The knowledge gained here will directly influence the quality of decisions you take and the effectiveness with which you serve,” she said.
Kautondokwa also welcomed the inclusion of both councillors and administrative staff in the induction, describing it as key to building strong working relationships. “A healthy professional relationship between councillors and administration is essential for good governance and effective service delivery,” Kautondokwa said.
The week-long induction workshop aims to enhance the capacity of regional and local leaders and officials to manage their institutions effectively and deliver quality services to communities across Namibia.
By Sharlien Tjambari
