New junior mayor embraces diversity

Adolf Kaure

The new members of the Swakopmund junior town council were inaugurated on Thursday at the Swakopmund municipal chambers.

Speaking at the inauguration, the new junior mayor of Swakopmund, Kaedi Schrader, said in her acceptance speech that she will make sure that diversity is embraced during her tenure.

“During this past year, I have learnt a lot as a junior councillor. My initial uncertainty of people from different cultures and backgrounds was transformed to a celebration of diversity and the benefits that lie in a group of diverse people.

“I learnt that different is not wrong. Differences are acceptable and differences are where our value lies in this council as well as in our society,” she said.

Shrader, from Private School Swakopmund, has taken over from her school mate Nikita Milne as junior mayor.

In total, 15 new junior councillors were elected to serve their term during 2020/2021.

The junior mayor urged the junior council of 2020/2021 to be in the forefront in ensuring that circumstances are enhanced in order for progress to take place, despite the various challenges which have presented themselves due to the global coronavirus pandemic.

“Let us embrace our new ordinary while still inspiring and uplifting the youth of Swakopmund,” said Schrader.

Also speaking at the occasion, the mayor of Swakopmund, Nehemiah Salomon, urged the new Swakopmund junior councillors to participate in council matters.

“You can do this by attending council meetings, by visiting our offices if you have any queries on issues you wish to understand and, of course, you can offer assistance where you could be of great use,” he said.

The mayor also reminded the juniors to make sure that are guided by the constitution of Namibia in all their activities.

“I am of the understanding that you all have been presented with the junior town council constitution, which is guided by the main constitution of our country.

“Let us acquaint ourselves with these important documents and ensure that we are respectable leaders who always practice good governance and being law abiding citizens of our country,” said Salomon.

Salomon further advised the new junior councillors to be good leaders who set a good example for the youth.

“I implore you to transfer the knowledge that you have learnt here onto your fellow youth members in order to ensure that our Namibian youth are impacted in a positive way,” he said.

The executive committee of the Swakopmund junior town council for 2020/2021 are:

Kaedi Schrader - junior mayor (Private School Swakopmund)

Jessy Abraham – deputy junior mayor (Namib High School)

Ernesto De Jesus – Public relations officer (Namib High School)

Uendjii Kangueehi – treasurer (Pro-Ed Academy)

Ashton Harding – secretary (Private School Swakopmund)

adolf@erongo.com.na