Young Observer caught up with the youngest and newly elected local authority councillor, William Minnie, of the Mariental Constituency.
You have just become one of the youngest councillors in the country. What was the decisive moment that pushed you from being an engaged young person to actually contesting for office?
My journey into leadership began long before I ever imagined myself in public office. I was raised in Mariental since birth by my late father, my grandparents and my two aunts, who created a home filled with discipline, compassion, and a deep sense of responsibility to others. My late father served as the chief executive officer of the Stampriet Village Council, which is a community close to Mariental.
Watching him serve with integrity and humility shaped my understanding of what leadership should be. He taught me that leadership is not about status but about commitment to people and the belief that every community deserves dignity. The decisive moment for me came when I realised that being an engaged young person would never be enough to confront the challenges my community faces. I saw that the issues of unemployment, service delivery, land access and inequality required young leaders to move from commentary to action. That realisation pushed me to step forward and contest for office because silence and inaction would have betrayed the values I was raised with.
Many young people hesitate because they feel politics is for older people. What did you have to unlearn or overcome to see yourself belonging in that space?
I had to unlearn the idea that leadership comes with age rather than purpose. Growing up around my late father taught me that true leadership is measured by character and service, not by how old someone is.
I also had to overcome the fear of being underestimated and the belief that young people must wait until later to contribute meaningfully. My upbringing taught me that when you have the ability to serve, you have the responsibility to step forward. I realised that if young people continue accepting the narrative that politics is reserved for older generations, we will never break the cycle of exclusion that affects us most.
I had to replace doubt with conviction and embrace the understanding that my voice and the voices of my generation belong at the decision-making table.
- What community issues shaped your campaign, and which one will you tackle first now that you are in office?
The issues that shaped my campaign were the realities I grew up seeing in Mariental, which include inconsistent service delivery, youth unemployment, the struggle for dignified housing, and a feeling among residents that their concerns are often ignored. These issues were not abstract to me. They shaped my childhood and informed my understanding of community needs.
The first issue I intend to tackle is service delivery because it forms the foundation of community dignity and development. Without a reliable water supply, functional sanitation, proper infrastructure and responsive governance, residents cannot build stable lives. This will be my immediate focus because a community cannot progress when its basic needs remain unmet.
Leadership at this level often brings pressure quickly. What has surprised you the most about stepping into council work?
What surprised me most is how quickly people place their trust in you once you take office. That trust is a weight I do not take lightly because I was raised to understand that leadership is a duty, not a privilege. Another surprise has been the complexity of local governance. I grew up watching my father navigate the demands of community leadership in Stampriet, but experiencing it myself has shown me just how far-reaching each decision is. What happens in council affects families, businesses, education, housing and livelihoods immediately. The pressure is real, but so is the honour of being able to serve directly where impact is felt most.
Representation is powerful, but it can also be heavy. How do you balance the expectations of being a young leader with simply being a councillor who has work to do?
I balance these expectations by grounding myself in the values instilled in me from childhood, which include humility, discipline, and duty. I remind myself that being a young leader is not about symbolism. It is about delivering results. My late father taught me that leadership must always remain anchored in service and integrity. I approach my responsibilities with that mindset. I recognise that many young people see hope in my journey, but I also know that representation without action is meaningless. My focus remains on doing the actual work of a councillor and serving the people who placed their trust in me.
When you picture the Namibia your generation wants to inherit, what does it look like, and how do you plan to contribute to building it?
The Namibia my generation envisions is a country where equality is not theoretical but lived. It is a Namibia where young people are not trapped in unemployment, where land and housing are accessible, and where institutions serve the people with transparency and fairness. It is a Namibia free from the normalisation of corruption and neglect. My contribution will be guided by people-centred development, community-driven policies, and a refusal to accept mediocrity in governance. The values taught to me by my family guide me to work for a future where dignity, justice and opportunity are not privileges but rights.
What values guide your decision-making, especially when the easy option and the right option are not the same?
My decision-making is guided by justice, integrity, accountability and compassion. These are values I inherited from the people who raised me and especially from my late father, whose leadership demonstrated that doing the right thing often requires courage. When the easy option contradicts the ethical one, I remind myself that public office is a trust given by the people. Choosing what is right, even when it is difficult, defines the difference between occupying a position and leading with purpose.
Young people sometimes feel disconnected from local government. What would you want them to know about why this level of governance matters?
Local government matters because it shapes the conditions of daily life. Water, sanitation, roads, housing, youth development and local economic opportunities are all influenced at this level. I want young people to understand that if they are frustrated with the state of their communities, their first point of influence and participation should be local government. It is the closest sphere to the people and the one where their voices carry the most immediate power. Their participation can transform their communities directly.
Every leader has mentors or models they learn from. Who shaped your thinking about public service?
My greatest mentor was my late father. Watching him lead the Stampriet Village Council taught me that leadership is a service to people and not a pathway to privilege. He taught me to respect communities, to listen, and to lead with honesty and empathy. My grandparents and my two aunts also shaped my values by raising me in an environment where responsibility and compassion were non-negotiable. Their influence formed the moral foundation that guides my public service today.
If you could give one piece of advice to another twenty-two-year-old considering public office, what would it be?
My advice would be to trust your ability to lead and to believe that your voice matters. Do not wait for perfect timing or for someone to validate your potential. You belong in leadership spaces as much as anyone else. Serve with honesty, equip yourself with knowledge, and stay connected to your community. Let your principles guide you, and let your courage speak louder than your fear. The future of this country needs young leaders who are bold enough to act.
