Windhoek partners San Antonio city

• FLORIAN DECKERSWINDHOEK mayor Muesee Kazapua on Wednesday signed an agreement with the mayor of the American city of San Antonio, Ivy Taylor, on exchanging knowledge and ideas on water management, energy policies and housing.

The partnership is a result of a long negotiation process, which started with the first proposal to establish formal relations in January 2011.

The signing was the highlight of the five-day stay of an American delegation comprising politicians and private investors. During this period, options for cooperation and economic opportunities were discussed with the Namibian authorities.

More than 15 American delegates and several Namibian officials attended the ceremony moderated by Chris Eita, external relations manager at the City of Windhoek, and head of international relations of San Antonio, Shahrzad “Sherry” Dowlatshahi.

Dowlatshahi said the aim of the agreement was “peace and prosperity by creating bands between people around the world” in what she called a “historic and special moment that ties us together.”

In their speeches, the mayors both stressed the mutually beneficial effects of the cities’ partnership.

Kazapua spoke of a “milestone”, and was pleased to announce that “Windhoek had become the first African sister city of San Antonio.”

Taylor emphasised the need for strong relations to ensure being “globally competitive”, and mentioned water management, energy policies and housing as the main areas of the cities’ cooperation.

The San Antonio Water System (SAWS), represented by its vice president, Donovan Burton, and the City of Windhoek by acting chief executive officer Fillemon Hambuda, also signed a memorandum of understanding. SAWS is a city-owned company supplying over 460 000 residents in San Antonio and its greater metropolitan area with fresh water drawn from the Edwards aquifer.