Leaders, entrepreneurs, and community stakeholders gathered for the Mayoral Stakeholders Fundraising Dinner and Business Awards at Usakos, held under the theme "Partnership, Collaboration, and Actualising the Namibian Dream".
The event raised N$692,000 to support youth employment initiatives in the town.
Usakos Mayor Irene Simeon-Kurtz encouraged locals to look beyond celebrating achievements and to actively shape the country's future with courage, unity, and conviction.
She emphasised the importance of recognising excellence, rewarding innovation, and empowering women and youth as pillars of sustainable development.
"When government, business, and the community converge on a purpose, progress is affordable. The theme for this gala, shaping women's empowerment to be the future leaders of structure and leadership, carries both symbolic weight and national urgency as our nation celebrates the historic elections of Her Excellency, the first female President of the Republic of Namibia. We are reminded that this is not merely a milestone. It is a mandate called 'Accelerate Women, Inclusive Leadership and Empowerment at Every Level of Society'. This theme is therefore not a reflection of what has been achieved but of what must now be an advancing vision."
Member of Parliament, Alpheus !Naruseb highlighted the vital role of partnerships in national progress, stressing that Namibia's success depends on the collective efforts of all citizens.
He pointed to initiatives like the collaborative effort between the local authorities of the OKULAC Partnership, which is a collaborative effort that unites the Omaruru, Karibib, and Usakos local authorities to drive regional development.
"But when it comes to self-development and self-development translating into social development, we must be able to outdo one another; we must be able to reach out to one another, because at the end of the day the process of our respected communities, Usakos, Omaruru and Karibib and the surrounding towns and villages, depends on how we can grow beyond the stereotypes and beliefs that development in our communities."