Windhoek and Gobabis Deepen Municipal Partnership

Windhoek and Gobabis Deepen Municipal PPartnership. Gobabis Municipality and the City of Windhoek have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation following a courtesy visit by Gobabis Mayor Cllr Elvin Gariseb to Windhoek Mayor Cllr Sakarias Uunona.

Gariseb, accompanied by Deputy Mayor Cllr Indongo and Chairperson Martha Tjombe, met with Uunona as part of efforts to promote collaboration, knowledge-sharing and learning between the two local authorities.

The engagement builds on a Cooperation and Friendship Agreement first signed in 2017 and renewed in October 2023. The partnership has provided a platform for the municipalities to exchange knowledge and experiences in areas including environmental health, financial management, human resources, tourism and municipal development.

Uunona emphasised the importance of continuous engagement between local authorities, saying that sharing experiences and resources is essential to addressing common challenges and unlocking opportunities for stronger local government.

The discussions also highlighted developments and challenges facing Gobabis Municipality. Gariseb said the municipality had made progress in addressing informal settlements, with approximately 3,000 people relocated from informal settlements into formalised housing.

Gariseb further identified areas where cooperation with the City of Windhoek could be strengthened. These include legal and policy support, recreational facilities, housing and international municipal partnerships.

The engagement between the two municipalities reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening municipal capacity and learning from each other.

The local authorities said collaboration remains important in working towards improved services and stronger communities, while the relationship between Gobabis and Windhoek continues to provide a platform for exchanging experiences and addressing areas of mutual interest.

The cooperation agreement between the municipalities has enabled engagement across several aspects of local government since its initial signing in 2017, with the renewal in 2023 continuing the relationship.