Gobabis Municipality gets new CEO

GOBABIS, 03 JUL  – The Gobabis Municipality on Tuesday officially welcomed a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ignatius Thudinyane, who will steer the local authority’s programmes for the next five years.
Thudinyane, who officially started work at the Gobabis Municipality on Monday, brings with him a wealth of experience in accounting and public management.
He last served as Manager for Revenue and Credit Control at the Municipality of Walvis Bay, a position he held for the past 12 years.
In his maiden address as Gobabis Municipality CEO on Tuesday, Thudinyane pledged to work with all stakeholders of the municipality, especially the ratepayers, whom he said are of critical importance to the local authority.
He said his doors will remain open to the community for queries, input and concerns for the duration of his tenure, in order to ensure that everyone is on the same level as far as the activities of the local authorities are concerned.
Thudinyane emphasised the need to prioritise service delivery, noting that the local authority should not be profit driven as its main mandate is to serve the community.
The CEO said while he is aware of challenges facing the municipality, such as high levels of poverty amongst the residents, most challenges are man-made.
He noted that infighting, racism and tribalism are among the man-made challenges that the community need to steer clear from if the delivery of service is to benefit all.
“We must be exemplary leaders. People want a leader of integrity who communicates, listens and leads from the front,” he said.
Gobabis Constituency Councillor, Phillipus Katamelo, who also spoke at the same event, echoed Thudinyane’s statements and urged those in charge of service delivery not to hold the nation hostage by denying them vital services.
He said political debates and speeches will not solve challenges that the nation struggles with, only a commitment to effective service delivery will appease those relying on them.
“Our aims can never be achieved by rhetoric. We need to work towards them,” he noted.
The Gobabis Municipality has been without a CEO since the departure of Ephraim Dawids a year ago.
A senior manager in the municipality, Frieda Shimakeleni had been acting in the position since Dawids’ departure.

NAMPA