Newly elected councillors of the United Democratic Front have been urged to prioritise service delivery and ethical leadership as they assume office.

This comes as party president Hendrik Gaobaeb addressed councillors during an induction convention aimed at strengthening governance and accountability.

The induction convention marked what party leaders described as a moment of responsibility and renewed commitment to serving communities. 

Hendrik Gaobaeb, the President of the United Democratic Front, said that regional and local authority councillors' leadership is not a title. It is a duty. It is not about occupying the office but about carrying the hopes of the people who place their confidence in you. You have not been elected to be spectators in the chambers. You have been elected to be the voice of those voiceless people. The defenders of fairness and the champions of service delivery are you."

The convention will provide councillors with the essential knowledge of governance, ethical principles, and financial oversight capabilities required to perform their duties effectively.

He also highlighted the socio-economic challenges confronting numerous communities, such as unemployment, housing shortages, and increasing economic pressures.

"Beyond technical knowledge, your communities are facing real challenges of unemployment, housing shortages, service delivery concerns, youth frustration and economic pressures."

The UDF president urged councillors to remember the parents struggling to pay rent and the young graduates seeking opportunities and to act to improve their lives.