Windhoek, Aroab Strengthen Cooperation on Local Government Development
The Aroab Village Council in the //Kharas Region has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening cooperation with the City of Windhoek following a courtesy visit to Windhoek Mayor Cllr. Sakarias Uunona.
The delegation, led by Aroab Village Council Chairperson Cllr. Johannes Bezuidenhout, met with Mayor Sakarias Uunona to discuss the implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two local authorities in 2025.
The engagement focused on ways of turning the agreement into practical programmes that can strengthen the capacity of the Aroab Village Council and improve service delivery to residents.
Bezuidenhout highlighted the need for capacity development in several key areas, including waste management, infrastructure development, electricity and technical skills exchange.
He said greater cooperation and knowledge-sharing with the City of Windhoek could assist the Village Council in strengthening its technical and institutional capacity.
The discussions also highlighted the importance of cooperation between larger and smaller local authorities, particularly in sharing expertise and experience in areas affecting municipal service delivery and community development.
Mayor Sakarias Uunona welcomed the delegation and emphasised the importance of strengthening collaboration between local authorities.
He noted that the City of Windhoek has an interest in supporting the development of smaller local authorities, particularly because limited development opportunities outside the capital can contribute to increased urbanisation towards Windhoek.
According to Mayor Uunona, increased migration to Windhoek places additional pressure on the City’s infrastructure and service-delivery systems as people move to the capital in search of employment, services and economic opportunities.
He stressed that supporting development in smaller local authorities can contribute to creating opportunities closer to communities and promoting more balanced development across the country.
For Aroab, the engagement provides an opportunity to advance the commitments contained in the 2025 MoU through practical cooperation in areas identified as priorities by the Village Council.
Waste management, infrastructure, electricity and technical skills are critical components of effective local government, making capacity-building in these areas important for the Council’s ability to deliver services to the community.
The meeting also demonstrates the potential value of partnerships between local authorities in addressing shared development challenges through the exchange of knowledge, skills and institutional experience.
Both sides are expected to continue engaging on the implementation of the MoU and identifying practical areas where the City of Windhoek can support the Aroab Village Council.
The engagement comes at a time when local authorities across Namibia continue to face challenges related to capacity, infrastructure and service delivery, highlighting the importance of cooperation and knowledge-sharing in strengthening local governance.
