Otjiwarongo Constituency Councillor Marlayn Mbakera has been re-elected as Chairperson of the Otjozondjupa Regional Council.

Mbakera, who served as Chairperson of the Otjozondjupa Management Committee for the past two and a half years, was the sole candidate for the position during the election process.

On the list of the Otjozondjupa Council's goals, Mbakera says it is to upgrade settlements to the status of a local authority, maximize land and housing delivery, and seek solutions for farmers in the corridors.

"We have also prioritized creating employment through projects and ensuring the improvement of infrastructure services such as roads, sewers, and landfill sites. We are a winning team, and I'm highly optimistic that we can achieve and overcome all adversity."

Johannes Hausiku and Isreal Hukura, of the Tsumkwe and Omatako Constituency Councils, respectively, also retained their positions.

Otjozondjupa Governor James Uerikua urged the council to focus on decentralizing services.

"We are sitting in a situation where ministers are decentralized and represented by directors in the region, yet a director cannot buy a single pen because they are still being governed by the central government level. It is my wish that we have to pass a resolution through council to the cabinet secretariat to ensure what we can do to ensure that those that are decentralized are meaningfully decentralized."