Pastor trades pulpit for politics
ONGWEDIVA – One of the newly elected Ong we d i v a local authority councillors, Taara Shalefyu, has vowed to play his part in accelerating service delivery at the town.
The ecstatic Shalyefu doubles as a clergyman and school principal at the same time. He currently serves as an assistant at the Anglican Church in Ongwediva.
Prior to becoming an assistant, Shalyefu was the pastor in charge of the Anglican Church for six years. Shalyefu said his role at the church does not influence his day-to-day work, as he is no longer full time.
“There is someone at the church now; I only go to assist when the need arises,” said Shalyefu.
Shalyefu said stepping into the council is a great opportunity for him to exercise what he preaches in the church. Explaining how he will juggle between being a clergyman and a politician at the same time, Shalyefu said he will be in impartial mediator.
“When people are fighting, you must come in as a mediator and stabilise the situation because you know how to cool people down,” said Shalyefu.
Shalyefu scored 104 of the total 122 votes cast during the Swapo primaries held before the elections.
During the just-ended local authority elections, Swapo garnered four seats on the Ongwediva Town Council, while IPC scooped three votes. Spokesperson for Ongwediva Jackson Muma said the councillors will be sworn in today.
Despite delivering on the mandate of the Swapo party manifesto, Shalyefu said he will continue to advocate for the wellbeing of the people in the informal settlements.
“My focus is on service delivery, especially in the informal settlements. We should ensure that our people have access to quality services,” said Shalyefu.
In addition, he said, he will also focus on key issues outlined in the Swapo manifesto, such as infrastructural development, youth empowerment and unemployment amongst the youth.
“We really need to find solutions to the issue of unemployment, as it is a serious outcry amongst our youth,” said Shalyefu.