Ongwediva Town Council and the Outjo Municipality formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing a framework for partnership and cooperation between the two Local Authorities.
The signing ceremony took place on 10 November at the Ongwediva Town Council Chambers and was presided over by Ongwediva Mayor Taloshili Taarah Shalyefu, and Outjo Mayor Siglinde //Amamus.
The strategic agreement reaffirms both institutions’ commitment to fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and mutual support to enhance service delivery, stimulate economic growth, and build institutional capacity within their respective jurisdictions.
The MoU seeks to formalize relations between the two municipalities and sets out key areas of cooperation, which include collaboration in promoting sustainable economic growth through the exchange of investment incentive frameworks, facilitation of business linkages, and joint participation in trade fairs, exhibitions, SME and youth empowerment, tourism and other platforms that enhance economic visibility and attract potential investors to both towns.
The agreement also focuses on sharing strategies and experiences in urban planning, housing development, and land servicing to strengthen the delivery of affordable and sustainable human settlements in line with national urban development policies.
It also commits the two local authorities to engage in joint technical exchanges and peer learning in key areas such as infrastructure planning and development, municipal procurement and compliance processes, revenue enhancement, and effective debt recovery models.
The agreement also seeks to foster inter-municipal collaboration through leadership engagements, exchange visits, and mentorship initiatives aimed at strengthening governance, decision-making, and institutional management capacity.
It also seeks to promote administrative excellence through joint training programmes, capacity development initiatives, and marketing or public awareness activities that contribute to institutional growth and improved service delivery.
Speaking at the event, Mayor Shalyefu underscored the importance of inter-municipal collaboration in addressing common developmental challenges such as urbanisation, unemployment, and infrastructure deficits.
“This partnership embodies our shared vision for progress, one built on solidarity, innovation, and collective responsibility towards our communities,” he stated.
Mayor //Amamus echoed these sentiments, noting that the partnership reflects the spirit of national unity and cooperative governance.
“Outjo and Ongwediva share a deep commitment to inclusive development. Through this collaboration, we aim to translate shared learning into tangible benefits for our residents,” she remarked.
Under the MoU, both parties will establish annual work programmes and periodic review mechanisms to assess progress and explore additional areas of collaboration.
Each local authority will designate focal points to coordinate activities and facilitate communication.
The signing was followed by a guided site tour of Ongwediva’s Sam Nujoma Multi Purpose Centre, and key infrastructure projects, illustrating Ongwediva’s ongoing commitment to sustainable urban development.
In the photo: Putting ink to paper, the Mayor of Outjo Siglinde //Amamus and Ongwediva Mayor Taarah Shalyefu signing the agreement’s documents.
