Swedes reach out to the South

TWO members of the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions International Development Agency (SALAD IDA) were on a two-day visit in Karas Region to explore co-operation possibilities.

Briefing local councillors from the Karas Region at Keetmanshoop, SALAD IDA Project Manager Paul Dixelus said co-operation would concentrate on exchanging skills and knowledge in respect of municipal development. He said Namibia was among the five African countries prioritised to benefit from the potential partnership.Dixelus said the delegation would also look into a possible tripartite relationship between the Karas Region, South Africa’s Northern Cape Province and a region in Sweden.He said the idea came up two years ago and feasibility studies have been done since then.He said nine local authorities in South Africa and one in Namibia -Omaruru – have already entered into partnerships with Swedish local authorities.Dixelus is accompanied by SALA IDA Programme Manager for Municipal Partnerships, Bjoern Kullander.In his welcoming remarks, Keetmanshoop Mayor Simon Petrus Tiboth thanked the Swedish Government for offering assistance to Namibian towns.He said Namibia was among the five African countries prioritised to benefit from the potential partnership.Dixelus said the delegation would also look into a possible tripartite relationship between the Karas Region, South Africa’s Northern Cape Province and a region in Sweden.He said the idea came up two years ago and feasibility studies have been done since then.He said nine local authorities in South Africa and one in Namibia -Omaruru – have already entered into partnerships with Swedish local authorities.Dixelus is accompanied by SALA IDA Programme Manager for Municipal Partnerships, Bjoern Kullander.In his welcoming remarks, Keetmanshoop Mayor Simon Petrus Tiboth thanked the Swedish Government for offering assistance to Namibian towns.