Walvis Bay Council unchanged for new term

THERE were no surprises during Thursday’s extraordinary Town Council meeting at Walvis Bay when the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and members of the Management Committee for the 2007/2008 term were elected.

Derek Klazen retained his position as the harbour town’s Mayor, with Adelheid Kandjala as his deputy. Former Mayor King Mandume Muatunga was again elected as the Chairperson of the Management Committee.The election at Walvis Bay took place the day after the Mayoral election in Swakopmund, where Rosina //Hoabes was re-elected as Mayor.Klazen, who retains his position for the second consecutive term, said the members of the Council had worked well together to meet last year’s objectives, setting the pace for key projects to be taken on during the new term.Some of these key projects include the redevelopment of Phase 4 of the hostel project in Kuisebmond, as well as the construction of the Kuisebmond Museum which, according to Klazen, will be an important centre to showcase Walvis Bay’s cultural heritage.The tarring of roads in all the suburbs and the servicing of erven to meet the housing shortage in the town will be tackled with more fervour.Work will also continue in the infrastructural “facelift” of Walvis Bay in order to take maximum advantage of space for social and economical growth.The development of the prospective Walvis Bay Waterfront, which is being done in conjunction with Namport, is also a top priority, as this would increase the town’s capacity for tourism development, he said.Klazen referred to the recent visits of several foreign political and business leaders, in which he said Walvis Bay’s “successes were showcased in all its sectors”.He said it is not just the fishing sector that is enjoying international attention, but there are many other industries that could see foreign investment.”We have to continue to show the world that Walvis Bay is the right place for investment because of its locality and accessibility to and from world markets,” he added.”This is crucial for job creation and local development.”He concluded that Walvis Bay is still susceptible to economic and social forces, and still has to face many challenges with regards to poverty, unemployment, disease and security.”We, together with other stakeholders, have to continue to work together in order to address these issues.”Former Mayor King Mandume Muatunga was again elected as the Chairperson of the Management Committee.The election at Walvis Bay took place the day after the Mayoral election in Swakopmund, where Rosina //Hoabes was re-elected as Mayor.Klazen, who retains his position for the second consecutive term, said the members of the Council had worked well together to meet last year’s objectives, setting the pace for key projects to be taken on during the new term.Some of these key projects include the redevelopment of Phase 4 of the hostel project in Kuisebmond, as well as the construction of the Kuisebmond Museum which, according to Klazen, will be an important centre to showcase Walvis Bay’s cultural heritage.The tarring of roads in all the suburbs and the servicing of erven to meet the housing shortage in the town will be tackled with more fervour.Work will also continue in the infrastructural “facelift” of Walvis Bay in order to take maximum advantage of space for social and economical growth.The development of the prospective Walvis Bay Waterfront, which is being done in conjunction with Namport, is also a top priority, as this would increase the town’s capacity for tourism development, he said.Klazen referred to the recent visits of several foreign political and business leaders, in which he said Walvis Bay’s “successes were showcased in all its sectors”.He said it is not just the fishing sector that is enjoying international attention, but there are many other industries that could see foreign investment.”We have to continue to show the world that Walvis Bay is the right place for investment because of its locality and accessibility to and from world markets,” he added.”This is crucial for job creation and local development.”He concluded that Walvis Bay is still susceptible to economic and social forces, and still has to face many challenges with regards to poverty, unemployment, disease and security.”We, together with other stakeholders, have to continue to work together in order to address these issues.”