Leading through a pandemic

Enzo Amuele
Jimmy Visser



The trials and tribulations of the Covid-19 virus became an unpleasant norm this year, but it didn’t stop the term of the second Gobabis Junior Town Council.

Although a lot of learners showed interest in joining the Junior Council, only four short-listed candidates from the three high schools within the Gobabis municipal area made the cut.

Furthermore, the Junior Council had the opportunity to attend an acquaintance and election workshop where they had to elect five executive members for the 2020 Junior Council.

Jimmy Visser from Wennie du Plessis was elected as the junior mayor while Paulus Hamutenya from Epako High School as the deputy junior mayor, followed by Paulina Malakia as the town clerk, Julia Katire as the treasurer and Felicitah as the secretary.

The new Junior Council was inaugurated on 3 March 2020 by Mayor Kalili in an event that was attended by senior councillors, school principals and the parents of the junior councillors.

Although the government declared a state of emergency and different lockdown stages throughout the year, that didn’t stop the Junior Council from carrying out their year plan.

They were fortunate enough to be joined with Namibian Partnership Solution, a non-profit organisation that helped and guided them through most of the projects and events during the lockdown stages earlier this year.

The council also managed to carry out several independent projects and events such as a debate on Covid-19 and gender-based violence, a spelling bee competition and several outreach and engagement projects in the informal settlements of Gobabis.

“It was indeed an emotionally draining year for the whole world, but through God’s grace and everyone’s support we were able to make our term in office a memorable experience,” said Kenny Rukira, one of the junior councillors.

Moving forward, the Junior Council plans to carry out few more projects, such as the launch of its charity project this month.