Walvis Bay junior mayor attends junior councillors’ conference

Walvis Bay junior mayor Fisabo Mapalo and other junior councillors were invited to attend the two-day National Junior Councillors’ Conference (NJCC) in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, over the weekend.

The conference was held under the theme, ‘Intergenerational Solidarity: Promoting Local Government for All Ages’.

Speaking to The Namibian yesterday, Mapalo said the main aim of the conference was for junior councillors to exchange ideas and collaborate on matters related to youth participation in decision-making processes and local governance.

She said the idea of the conference was to benefit the youth by promoting local government for all ages.

“We can foster a sense of belonging, create a platform for shared knowledge and experience and empower the youth to play an active role in shaping the future of our communities,” said Mapalo.

She further said their role at the conference was to share experiences and remember their heritage after being addressed by Zimbabwe’s first lady Auxillia Mnangagwa.

“We have learned how the youth can be active and have a positive impact in the community and how our senior councils can give a realistic budget for councillors, make the NJCC known, and put it as part of the national budget,” said Mapalo.

The conference also gave them the insight to work together with other junior councils across Namibia to create a society where every voice is heard, every generation is valued and every individual has a place at the table.

Mapalo, who was born at Katima Mulilo and raised at Walvis Bay, is currently in Grade 11 at Duinesig High School.

She is a journalist for her school’s editorial team and a learners’ representative council member for external affairs.

“I was elected to be a junior councillor in October 2022 and got elected as junior mayor in October 2023,” said Mapalo.