LOCAL AUTHORITIES
LOCAL AUTHORITIES IN NAMIBIA ARE CLASSIFIED INTO THREE CATEGORIES ACCORDING TO THEIR DEGREE OF AUTONOMY: • MUNICIPALITIES (PART 1 & PART 2) • TOWNS • VILLAGES The only three “Part 1” municipalities in the country are Windhoek, Walvis Bay and Swakopmund. Local Authorities are the third tier of Government, responsible for service delivery in urban areas. The governing body of a Local Authority is a council which consists of office bearers elected in accordance with party lists at a general municipal election. The minimum number of female candidates on a party list is governed by law. The term of office for a Local Authority councillor is five years. In a municipal or town council the Mayor serves as the head of such council. A Mayor’s term of office expires annually, exactly one year after the date of election. A Local Authority council is obliged by law to meet at least 10 times per calendar year and in intervals of no more than 10 weeks.
THE CAPITAL - WINDHOEK The charm of the City of Windhoek lies in its harmonious blend of African and European cultures and the friendliness of its people. It is a peaceful and relaxed city in a country with a proud record of political stability, and it is known as one the cleanest cities on the African Continent. Windhoek is the seat of central government and the country’s economic and financial hub. The head offices of state-owned enterprises and most multi-national companies, which are active in Namibia and in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) at large, are based in Windhoek; the Bank of Namibia, the Namibian Stock Exchange and the head offices of commercial banks and insurance companies are all located in the city centre. All foreign diplomatic missions are resident in Windhoek. The total area of Windhoek is 645 square kilometres. The capital has about 380,000 inhabitants, accounting for almost 17% of the country’s total population of 2.2 million.
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