The decade-old vacancy of the CEO position at the Kalkrand Village Council has hindered development, causing delays in governance and infrastructure projects. 

This includes significant backlogs in projects like the council office, electricity supply and sewer system upgrades, with some areas still not connected to the main line.

Since taking on the role of CEO more than a year ago, Johaness Herero has led the development of a draft strategic plan to transform Kalkrand, which he describes as a "sleeping giant," over the next 5 to 10 years.

However, he acknowledges that a lack of funding has been a major obstacle in implementing these plans.

In addition to working to achieve town status, Herero emphasises that Kalkrand's strategic location on the B1 corridor offers great growth potential.

He says the village needs better marketing to attract investors and unlock its untapped development opportunities.

A key investor in the area is Woermanbrock, whose presence not only creates jobs but also strengthens investor confidence in Kalkrand, particularly in the agricultural sector.

Herero revealed that Kalkrand has 8,000 hectares of underutilised land, and the council plans to engage relevant stakeholders to explore opportunities for its use or to attract potential investors.

He emphasised that investors seeking land for business purposes must provide a valid reason and presentations that align with the interests of the community and the local economy.

He noted that the village's wealth lies in building the economy around agriculture, with a focus on agro-processing and logistics.

Kalkrand has also made 250 hectares of land available for the development of a vocational training centre.