By: Uakutura Kambaekua
The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) and National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo)
have again teamed up to run the Okakarara Town Council after clinching all top positions during
last week’s internal elections.
The Okakarara town councillors elected Nudo’s Asnath Kavetuna Jazukuka as the mayor
deputised by Brickz Kaaronda of PDM.
The town’s former mayor Olga Tjiurutue was elected as the chairperson of the management
committee. Other members of the management committee are Golden Katjatako and Samueline
Ngairo.
The two Swapo party members serving on the Okakarara council are Collin Ngujapeua and
Francisca Hamukwaya, who remain ordinary council members.
The councillors were sworn in by magistrate Abel Simataa Sankwasa.
In an interview with The Villager, newly elected mayor Jazukuka said the election process was
fair while reiterating their stance on a collective approach towards the development of the town.
”All that is left is for us to build on and ensure speedy implementation of infrastructure
development projects and strive towards the unification of this diverse political society through
creating awareness of vision 2030. The focus will be, among those, on waste management,
housing and creation of employment opportunities for youth, in particularly,” she said.
“We should thus sensitise people to become job providers rather than job seekers. I will invite
potential investors to make Okakarara their investment hub and simultaneously appreciate those
that have thus far invested heavily in the town,” she added.
The mayor further urged for collective leadership that will not compromise the town’s
development.
“It is imperative for us to relinquish our political stance and serve our electorates collectively.
Our community must be a priority above personal and political interest,” Jazukuka advised.
During her tenure, the new mayor has committed to upgrade the town’s wearing-out roads,
improve informal settlements and develop sports facilities.
”We plan on upgrading of roads, fencing of old age homes, the construction of an abattoir,
surveying of land for the construction of shopping malls, opening a kindergarten in the informal
settlement, and upgrading of the sports facilities,’ she said.

The mayor noted that the Nudo-PDM coalition has been effective from the beginning with no
disagreements that could have tainted the town’s image and thus deny the residents of the much-
needed development.
“The coalition has been effective from the onset, we are pulling in the same direction in the
interest of the residents. When we have diverging views, we all debate and go in the same
direction, because this is not about us but the people we are serving,” she noted.