Local government associations play an increasingly important role in the governance of countries across the Commonwealth. As the voice of local government, they are key interlocutors between local government and other spheres of government. They also provide direct services to their members; the most important probably being when they bring their members together to share experiences and to exchange on the challenges they face and how they are working to address them. This peer-to-peer engagement helps unify the sector and is invaluable in building the capacity of local government practitioners.

First national convention

This was evident when CLGF had the chance to join the Association of Local Authorities of Namibia (ALAN)’s first national Convention which took place in Swakopmund from 23 to 25 April 2025. The meeting brought together local leaders and officials from across the country on the theme of Effective Governance for Effective Service Delivery. The Hon Deputy Minister for Urban and Rural Development, Eveline !Nawases-Taeyele, delivered a speech on behalf of her Minister about the importance of effective delivery at the local level, cooperation between different levels of government, and the need to reduce corruption to strengthen trust with the community.

Equality for councillors

The President of ALAN, Samuel !Oe-Amseb, who is also a Board Member of CLGLoF, called for fair treatment of councillors and equal recognition under the law with national and regional leaders. He recognised the dedication of local councillors across the country and stressed the need for local, regional and central government to work together to improve service delivery and development for all. 
 

There was a series of engaging sessions on governance and leadership; the draft national urban land development policy; local government empowerment and enabling legislation; affordable housing schemes and making them work for low income local residents; ensuring quality and affordable  waste management and service delivery at a time of rapid urbanisation; and participatory community development.

Leadership and local economic development

CLGF’s Secretary-General, Lucy Slack, gave a presentation in the session on governance and leadership, focusing specifically on local economic development and the work which CLGF has been supporting alongside ALAN and the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development to develop an enabling LED policy in Namibia. Alongside the formal sessions there were plenty of opportunities for networking and exchange, and the ALAN choir was in fine voice throughout.

Southern Africa regional associations

Sister local government associations from across the Southern African region (Botswana, Eswatini, Malawi, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe) also travelled to support the inaugural ALAN Convention, providing valuable opportunities for CLGF and SARO to meet with the wider regional membership.

Value of sharing best practice

The Convention reinforced the value of convening local government leaders to reassert their shared commitments to good governance and local service delivery; especially at a time of global uncertainty, as local governments are grappling with the threat of climate change, rapid urbanisation and youth unemployment.