Otjiwarongo Mayor Leonard Simushi has pledged to transform the town, embracing the responsibility of improving service delivery, creating opportunities, and driving development.

Simushi plans to boost the local economy through agro-processing, support for small and medium enterprises, and the development of informal traders.

He added that the town has agricultural raw material products that are currently being exported without value addition.

"The idea we have for that is small-scale meat processing, like we have got dried meat and sausages and leather. If we can have an industry that can do that, then we can bring employment, and another point is grain milling and animal feed plants; that one is also important since our economy is based on that."

Youth development is also a priority, with technical skills training, digital hubs, and entrepreneurship programmes aimed at reducing unemployment and retaining local talent.

Housing and urban development initiatives include affordable, incremental housing schemes and mixed-use development nodes that promote orderly growth and vibrant neighbourhoods.

The initiatives reflect commitment to sustainable, practical development that benefits residents, supports local businesses, and positions Otjiwarongo for long-term growth.

The Mayor called on the community to care for one another and uphold the spirit of the season.

"I encourage you all to celebrate responsibly; let us look out for one another. Adhering to road safety rules prevents crime and protects our most vulnerable assets."

Special care should be given to the vulnerable people, such as the elderly and people with disabilities.