A new regional councillor is expected to be sworn in soon after the by-election of the Moses ||Garoeb Constituency in the |Khomas Region.

Residents of the 20-year-old constituency are expected to cast their votes on January 6.

Whoever is elected from those contesting will be faced with a daunting task.

This is because most Moses-Garoeb Constituency residents' living standards have been so low that they have been begging for a decent life for so long.

There are municipal services in some quarters, but these are not sufficient for the growing population, most of whom live in undemarcated or unserviced plots.

Their story has been told on numerous occasions: a lack of streets, residents living literally under high-voltage electric cabling, not to mention a lack of ablution facilities in most parts.

Community taps are also spread far apart, making it risky for women to collect water when night falls.

Amalia Festus constructed her shack in what the City of Windhoek would classify as an unsuitable area, but it withstood the test of time for over 10 years.

With the vote for a new regional councilor just a few weeks away, there are some pressing matters that Festus would want the winner of the race to look at.

"We really want the councilor that is coming to at least provide us with toilets; we do not have toilets in Moses ||Garoeb, so we really need the counsilor to provide them and also taxi ranks."

Many of her neighbors, such as Maria Ambambi, share similar sentiments.

A lack of development in the constituency is partly fueling criminal activities in the area.

"Most of the things are being done in the dark; you cannot even walk outside, and someone will throw a stone at you; it is unsafe."

The Moses ||Garoeb Constituency was created in 2003 at the recommendation of the Third Delimitation Commission, and Hileni Nakale has been a resident even before that. 

Her message to those running for regional councillor is essentially the same.

"I would like the elected council to provide toilets, a taxi rank, and roads."

All three women echo the same sentiment: the picture of Moses ||Garoeb does not belong on the mural of Windhoek and needs an overhaul.

But the City of Windhoek currently remains without a political head or a permanent administrative head.

The nbc sought comment from City of Windhoek councillor Francina Kahungu on the potential collaboration between the Regional Council and the Windhoek local authority to expedite development in this area.

"It is time for us, the Local Authority and the Regional Council to bring ideas to the table on how we develop these areas; it does not help us to just come and sit around the table if we do not have the capacity."

Kahungu has urged the incoming councilor to actively seek funds for the development of the constituency.