Debate over Swakopmund boundary proposal
New boundaries to address evolving demographics
Discussions about a proposal to divide the Swakopmund constituency into Swakopmund north and south came to a halt when authorities said the public were not consulted.
During a fifth Boundaries Delimitation and Demarcation Commission (BDDC) public meeting held in Swakopmund this week, a heated debate erupted over proposed changes to the region's constituency boundaries.
The BDDC is mandated to establish and fulfil certain roles, which include defining Namibia's borders, proposing the demarcation and naming of regions, constituencies and local authorities in compliance with both the constitution and an Act of parliament, and submitting reports to the president.
At the gathering, regional authorities, represented by the governor, shed light on the existing administrative set-up, noting there are seven local authorities within the region.
The focal point of discussion emerged with the proposed demarcation of Walvis Bay into rural and urban sectors, with a call for clearer outlining of territorial boundaries.
Lack of public consultations
The discussions also spotlighted a proposal to divide the Swakopmund constituency, presently the third largest in the nation, into two constituencies, Swakopmund north and south.
Authorities argued that such division would facilitate the orderly development of recently established settlements within the constituency.
However, disagreement surfaced when Swakopmund constituency councillor Louisa Kativa said consultative public meetings had not been conducted, thus excluding public input from the deliberations.
This led to a stand-off, with Kativa insisting there was no participation of Swakopmund constituency members in the decision-making process.
“Through my office, we did not contribute to the collective document. We received a letter indicating that there will be a demarcation meeting and that public consultative meetings should be held," Kativa said.
She claimed the regional council failed to provide reasonable dates for the consultative meetings to take place.
Back to the drawing board
In response, Justice Unenga, chairperson of the commission, reprimanded Kativa, arguing that she had failed in her leadership role by neglecting to organise the necessary consultative meetings.
“I must emphasise that without the due process of consultation, any proposal lacks the necessary foundation for recognition. It is mandatory upon leaders to uphold the principles of transparency and engagement; failing which undermines the integrity of our democratic institutions,” he said.
Unenga emphasised that without adequate public engagement, no proposals from the Swakopmund constituency office could be considered valid.
Despite the disagreement, several members of the Swakopmund constituency voiced their support for the proposed division and demarcation, highlighting the urgency of accommodating the evolving demographics and dynamics within the region.
In a bid to settle the different perspectives, the commissioners instructed the Swakopmund constituency to revisit the drawing board and provide feedback within ten days.
[email protected] `
The BDDC is mandated to establish and fulfil certain roles, which include defining Namibia's borders, proposing the demarcation and naming of regions, constituencies and local authorities in compliance with both the constitution and an Act of parliament, and submitting reports to the president.
At the gathering, regional authorities, represented by the governor, shed light on the existing administrative set-up, noting there are seven local authorities within the region.
The focal point of discussion emerged with the proposed demarcation of Walvis Bay into rural and urban sectors, with a call for clearer outlining of territorial boundaries.
Lack of public consultations
The discussions also spotlighted a proposal to divide the Swakopmund constituency, presently the third largest in the nation, into two constituencies, Swakopmund north and south.
Authorities argued that such division would facilitate the orderly development of recently established settlements within the constituency.
However, disagreement surfaced when Swakopmund constituency councillor Louisa Kativa said consultative public meetings had not been conducted, thus excluding public input from the deliberations.
This led to a stand-off, with Kativa insisting there was no participation of Swakopmund constituency members in the decision-making process.
“Through my office, we did not contribute to the collective document. We received a letter indicating that there will be a demarcation meeting and that public consultative meetings should be held," Kativa said.
She claimed the regional council failed to provide reasonable dates for the consultative meetings to take place.
Back to the drawing board
In response, Justice Unenga, chairperson of the commission, reprimanded Kativa, arguing that she had failed in her leadership role by neglecting to organise the necessary consultative meetings.
“I must emphasise that without the due process of consultation, any proposal lacks the necessary foundation for recognition. It is mandatory upon leaders to uphold the principles of transparency and engagement; failing which undermines the integrity of our democratic institutions,” he said.
Unenga emphasised that without adequate public engagement, no proposals from the Swakopmund constituency office could be considered valid.
Despite the disagreement, several members of the Swakopmund constituency voiced their support for the proposed division and demarcation, highlighting the urgency of accommodating the evolving demographics and dynamics within the region.
In a bid to settle the different perspectives, the commissioners instructed the Swakopmund constituency to revisit the drawing board and provide feedback within ten days.
[email protected] `
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