The Mayor of Swakopmund, Suamma Kautondokwa, has challenged young people to use their influence to deliver practical solutions to challenges facing their communities.

Kautondokwa made this call during the inauguration of the town's new Junior Town Council.

Kautondokwa says that the new Junior Town Council is being positioned as more than a platform for young people to discuss their concerns.

She says the municipality wants young people to gain practical leadership experience and become active contributors to the town's development.

"For the Municipality of Swakopmund, investing in young people is not simply a responsibility. It is an investment in the future social, economic, and civic development of our town. We have a duty to create an environment where young people can develop the knowledge, skills, values and confidence they need to become responsible and active citizens."

For newly elected Junior Mayor Pienge Anghowo, the challenge now is turning that opportunity into measurable action.

She says the council must ensure that young people see the results of the participation.

"My vision is to have a JTC that does not only meet, discuss, and plan but actually turns ideas into actions. I want us to be a council where the youth can look at us and say they listen to us and they did something about it. We have the opportunity to create projects that are meaningful, sustainable, and truly help solve the issues the youth continue to face today."

Anghowo says the council will need to embrace different opinions, work collectively, and develop projects that respond to issues affecting young people.