Okakarara seeks a partnership with Swakop

OKAKARARA says it needs the experience of Swakopmund to develop a sustainable business environment.

The town needs advice on human resource training, economic development and planning, says Okakarara Mayor Tjatjitirani Kandukira. This type of co-operation, it feels, could be implemented through a twinning agreement between the two towns’ councils.Kandukira says his Council is making long-term plans to improve its service delivery to the town’s 25 000 residents, of whom more than half are said to be unemployed.The council hopes to create an enabling environment for business growth and development, which will hopefully increase investment, improve job prospects and increase revenue for the Okakarara Council, with obvious spin-offs for the entire community.Kandukira said the town depended largely on farming and although this sector would enjoy attention, it was also important to attract other businesses essential to the town’s survival.He said most townspeople were shopping and doing business at Otjiwarongo and Grootfontein, which are about 100 km from Okakarara.It is therefore the council’s intention to build a business park to boost local trade.He said the area also has good tourism potential and tourist attractions in the area will be promoted.Swakopmund at the moment has only one twinning agreement – with the Egyptian town of Sharm el Sheik.It also has a co-operation agreement with the Municipality of Walvis Bay.During the last Swakopmund Council Meeting, Paul Rooi of the Management Committee recommended that the Council should consider a twinning agreement with Okakarara, depending on what Okakarara expected from Swakopmund in such a relationship.This type of co-operation, it feels, could be implemented through a twinning agreement between the two towns’ councils.Kandukira says his Council is making long-term plans to improve its service delivery to the town’s 25 000 residents, of whom more than half are said to be unemployed.The council hopes to create an enabling environment for business growth and development, which will hopefully increase investment, improve job prospects and increase revenue for the Okakarara Council, with obvious spin-offs for the entire community.Kandukira said the town depended largely on farming and although this sector would enjoy attention, it was also important to attract other businesses essential to the town’s survival.He said most townspeople were shopping and doing business at Otjiwarongo and Grootfontein, which are about 100 km from Okakarara.It is therefore the council’s intention to build a business park to boost local trade.He said the area also has good tourism potential and tourist attractions in the area will be promoted.Swakopmund at the moment has only one twinning agreement – with the Egyptian town of Sharm el Sheik.It also has a co-operation agreement with the Municipality of Walvis Bay.During the last Swakopmund Council Meeting, Paul Rooi of the Management Committee recommended that the Council should consider a twinning agreement with Okakarara, depending on what Okakarara expected from Swakopmund in such a relationship.