Calls for ‘qualified councillors’ mount

Political parties and analysts are calling for mandatory qualifications for councillors to ensure they are able to effectively manage governance and development.

The calls come after minister of urban and rural development James Sankwasa suggested that political parties should start ensuring that their councillors are fully capacitated and qualified.

Sankwasa was speaking at an induction workshop for regional and local councillors at Rundu last week.

“We need to seriously look at the issues of governance and capacity. Right now, there is more emphasis on politics than governance, and politics requires everybody – not governance,” he said.

The minister said his own party Swapo should do the same.

“Start looking at who qualifies to be a councillor, just like when looking at who qualifies to be regional officer and director. There is no discrimination in that.”

Sankwasa said political parties are currently reluctant to come up with minimum requirements in appointing a councillor or members of parliament due to the fear of losing them to other parties.

Rundu Rural constituency councillor Paulus Mbangu concurred with the minister, saying councillors should have qualifications to be able to effectively dissect the technicalities of council documents.

“If the councillors have no qualifications, they would struggle to understand council documents,” he said.

Association for Localised Interest president Josef Kauandenge said the fact that some councillors only have Grade 12 would be a hindrance in executing their jobs.

“If the councillors are not educated, they would be left at the mercy of officials who would dictate to them, lie to them and force them to approve council items, because they cannot read for themselves,” he said.

Republican Party spokesperson Turimove Katjipo said every role requires relevant skills and knowledge, adding that when positions are filled without the necessary expertise, development is delayed or compromised.

“For towns to progress, there must be an intentional investment in skills, capacity building, and accountability,” she said.

Katjipo said sustainable development is the result of informed leadership and competent implementation.

Former Swapo Okahandja constituency councillor Bethuel Tjiaveondja said every office needs someone with an understanding of the Constitution, bills, regulations, acts and policies.

“There’s nothing wrong with setting up a requirement for any work, but that should equally not be interpreted as an excuse, because councillors have support staff in the name of technocrats as principal advisers,” he said.

Political analyst Sakaria Johannes says many councillors lack knowledge and understanding.

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