The newly inaugurated Junior Town Council of Swakopmund has been challenged to move beyond titles and meetings and turn ideas and concerns of young people into meaningful action in the community.
Delivering her first speech as Junior Mayor, Peinge Anghowo said her vision for the new council is to become a platform where young people’s voices are not only heard, but acted upon. “I want us to be a council where the youth can look at us and say they have listened to us and they did something about it,” Anghowo said.She said her experience on the Junior Town Council had taught her that being a councillor was not simply about holding a title or wearing a badge, but about accepting the responsibility to represent young people, listen to their concerns and work collectively to make a difference. “A councillor is not only a title or a badge, it is a responsibility,” she said.
Anghowo said the council’s achievements should not only be measured by the projects it completes, but also by the people it reaches and the lessons and experiences gained along the way. She called on the new councillors to speak up, listen to their peers and community, and make use of every opportunity presented to them during their term. “Leadership is not only about being right, but it’s about being willing to understand,” she said. Her remarks echoed those of Swakopmund Mayor Suama Kautondokwa, who emphasised the importance of giving young people meaningful opportunities to participate in community affairs. Kautondokwa said the municipality’s continued support for the Junior Town Council reflects an understanding that young people are not merely leaders of tomorrow, but are already an important part of the community. “They should therefore be given meaningful opportunities to participate in the matters that affect their lives, their schools, their community as well as their future,” she said.
Kautondokwa said the Junior Town Council provides young people with practical exposure to leadership, good governance, community participation and public service. She urged the new councillors to listen to their peers, respect differing opinions and focus on finding solutions when confronted with challenges. “True leadership is not measured by position but the positive impact you make in the lives of others,” Kautondokwa said. She further said the success of the Junior Town Council should ultimately be measured by what its members learn during their term, the initiatives they undertake, the young people they influence and the communities they serve. JTC Coordinator Delinda Hannes meanwhile highlighted the role of the council in preparing young people for leadership and said the latest selection process demonstrated growing ownership among learners.
According to Hannes, learners not only participated in the interviews for the new Junior Town Council, but also took responsibility for conducting and assessing the interviews themselves. She said she deliberately remained an observer during the process to allow the learners to independently determine what qualities they were seeking in their leaders. Hannes praised the outgoing councillors for demonstrating confidence, maturity, leadership potential and an ability to articulate themselves during the process. She said the Junior Town Council creates opportunities for young people to “learn, lead and grow” while encouraging them to identify challenges affecting their peers and develop possible solutions. However, she stressed that meaningful youth participation requires supportive systems, including schools, families, policies, programmes and community institutions. “Our policies and programmes must equip young people with the necessary tools, the knowledge, the confidence, leadership abilities and opportunities to participate meaningfully in society,” Hannes said.
She challenged the new councillors to remember the promises they made during their interviews and said they would be held accountable for those commitments. “You’ve got big shoes to fill,” Hannes told the incoming councillors, urging them to listen to their peers, work together and understand the impact their actions can have on other young people and the wider community. The new Junior Town Council leadership comprises Junior Mayor Peinge Anghowo, Deputy Mayor Shoombe Shanyengana, CEO Sasha Katoti, Secretary Kristophina Onesmus, PRO Elina Nangombe and Treasurer Menson Iita. Victoria Biuker and Ernest Doeseb will serve as ordinary councillors.
Other members of the council are Sebastian Cloete, Kayee Kruger, Jordan Tjali, Deweld Sass, Daniella Unites, Aziel Cloete, Kanye Gom-Khaiseb, Mutakame Murangi, Miley Mpahleni and Christina Harris. It is intended to give young people practical experience in leadership and civic participation while creating a channel through which their concerns and ideas can contribute to the broader community.
For Anghowo, the challenge is now to turn that vision into action.“As I accept this position with gratitude, I also accept it with a commitment to serve. Let us make this term one that our community can be proud of,” she said.
By Sharlien Tjambari
