King Mandume Muatunga devoted his entire speech at the first Council meeting of the year last Tuesday to the current harsh economic realities and resultant challenges facing his city.

Earlier the same day, Bobboh Kathindi, chairperson of the Hake Association of Namibia, told The Namibian that the industry had decided not to talk to the press.

Kathindi responded to a list of questions forwarded to him ten days earlier on the current state of affairs, saying the industry represented by the association preferred not to comment.

The Mayor firstly referred to the plight of workers who have already been retrenched and "were stranded without hope" and "unable to support themselves or even to pay for municipal and other services".

He said the community should sympathise with those suffering and seek ways to assist them.

Referring to media reports that "painted a negative spectrum of labour relations" in Walvis Bay, Mandume said it was no secret "that we have within our community unscrupulous business persons who are abusing their powers as employers to oppress and harass our people".

The Mayor said some even went as far as disregarding legislation, the very laws that were enacted to protect citizens from oppression, victimisation and exploitation.

"We need to take a stand against such injustices and bring to book those making themselves guilty of violating our laws."

He said: "My wish this year is to see this situation improve for the better."

Although the labour situation at some factories has become the concern of the Ministry of Labour, the Deputy Minister yesterday cancelled scheduled meetings with labour unions, senior shop stewards and the two companies concerned for a second time until further notice.

Cadilu Fishing last year announced the retrenchment of workers, and Blue Ocean Products the closure of its factory.

Looking ahead, the Mayor said the current state of affairs was teaching them a harsh lesson in planning and diversification.

"Our economy in Walvis Bay has always relied on fishing as the heart of income generation. We need to start tapping into the tourism sector, the service industry and other income-generating endeavours for the benefit of our city."

He said the way ahead was to support small and medium-scale entrepreneurs by mobilising the youth.

They should take up small and medium projects to create employment for themselves.

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