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The Municipality of Walvis Bay has launched Ovakalimo (https://ovakalimo.org/), an innovative E-tool developed to strengthen citizen participation and improve service delivery within Walvis Bay.
The name Ovakalimo is derived from the Oshiwambo language, meaning “inhabitants.” It is a symbolic dedication to the people of Walvis Bay, the residents who make up the heartbeat of our harbour town. The tool embodies the Municipality’s commitment to inclusive governance and its vision of fostering active civic engagement.
Ovakalimo enables residents to report issues directly to the Municipality by submitting a report through the online platform. The tool serves as a practical step toward participatory governance, giving residents the opportunity to be actively involved in identifying and addressing challenges within their communities. It also supports the Municipality’s efforts to promote transparency, accountability, and efficient communication between residents and local government. As we continue to refine the platform, more features will be introduced to further streamline workflow, strengthen reporting processes and enhance feedback to residents
The introduction of Ovakalimo forms part of the Erongo Good Governance Project: Participatory Urban Governance for Resilient, Safe and Inclusive Multi-Functional Public Spaces in Namibia, which aims to share European Union best practices to achieve exemplary municipal services and encourage innovative, inclusive decision-making.
The Erongo Good Governance Project is co-funded by the European Union under the European Commission’s Development & Cooperation – EuropeAid framework and is implemented jointly by the Municipality of Walvis Bay and the Municipality of Czerwonak, Poland, with the Development Policy Foundation serving as the facilitator.
Through initiatives such as Ovakalimo, the Municipality of Walvis Bay continues to advance its commitment to inclusive governance, sustainable urban development, and improved service delivery for all resident