The new mayor of Keetmanshoop, Emrico Blaauw, has vowed to curb unemployment and hunger.

Blaauw made the pledge at the swearing-in ceremony following his election on Friday.

Present at the ceremony were Swapo Party councillors Emrico Blaauw, Beata Set, and Sandra !Owases, Landless People's Movement's (LPM) Easter Isaak, Annelize Knaus, and Kallie Goliath, as well as Peter Skeyer of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC).

Blaauw and Goliath contested the mayoral position, with Blaauw winning four votes against Goliath's three. Blaauw is deputised by Set.

"We have a singular goal: to curb unemployment, combat hunger, and restore the town to the prosperity it once deserved. The central government is committed to advancing Namibia, and it is up to us on the ground to come together and strive towards the National Development Plan 6 (NDP6). We must focus on the existing goals that we can achieve to the best of our abilities," said Blaauw.

The Chairperson of the Management Committee, Easter Isaak, urged councillors to unite and serve in the best interest of the masses.

"The challenges facing our community stem primarily from unemployment. We are experiencing a rise in child-headed households and a growing ageing population within Keetmanshoop. What drives us forward is our vision for the change we hope to see in the coming years."

LPM Councillor Goliath urged his fellow councillors to adopt a people-centred approach. "Let us focus on serving the people and ensure that our work as councillors is genuinely centred around their needs. We cannot continue with business as usual, especially with only five months remaining until December. Time is against us. If we persist with infighting and petty issues, we risk missing the entire objective," he said.

The mayoral seat became vacant after former mayor Melody Swartbooi was removed from her position and council seat by LPM.