The Otavi Town Council has trained residents in participatory capacity, to afford them an opportunity to take part in decision-making processes as it relates to development. 

The five-day workshop brought together young people,traditional leaders, and the town's senior citizens in Otavi to take part in local issues.

"We believe that development efforts that are not community-centred yield hardly any lasting results amongst the communities involved. If there is no community participation, it deprives the community of ownership and long-term accountability towards change in their community. Because participation comes with ownership, we want everyone to be a proud Otavian so that we can own our challenges and the solutions to our challenges," said Otavi Mayor Isaac !Hoaeb.

He said these types of engagements will also prevent duplication of projects, efforts, and resources.

Otjozondjupa Governor James Ureikua said such workshops also promote transparency, and accountability, and are consensus-oriented. "Transparency is about every community member knowing what you are doing in your office as a mayor. Accountability is about every decision you make being centred around the community and you being able to account for it. Consensus-oriented is about before you execute a program, consulting the community, and letting you all agree on that program. Then everybody has a say. All these are components of good governance."

Participants were excited to be part of the workshop.