Katima Mulilo — It was all glitz and glamour when the Katima Mulilo Town Council recently held its second annual Mayor's Civic Awards ceremony.

The awards honour residents who have made a huge contribution to the development of the town. Outgoing Katima Mulilo mayor, John Likando, who was part of the event hailed the awards ceremony, calling for both private and public sector support.

"We are gathered here to recognise those who play and contribute to the development of our country, more especially our town Katima Mulilo. The event depends on support from the private and public sectors to succeed," said Likando.

Likando reiterated his call for social responsibility and the need for the business community to value residents of the town as consumers. "The people you see here are consumers. Businesses can only succeed when they exist. We would like to see companies investing in people. Plough back in areas such as HIV/AIDS, sports and orphans. I will not shy away from mentioning that local people are complaining about the attitudes of our business people. We should make this a binding law that every investor who comes to Katima should show us their corporate responsibility," stressed Likando.

This year's awards saw some winners walking away with prize monies ranging from N$1 000 to N$2 000, floating trophies and certificates for runners-up. Winners included Benny Mwanamwali (Arts and Culture category), Akayombokwa Munyaza (Sports category), Mwiza Ntelamo (Green category), Caprivi River Lodge (Environmental category), Caprivi Business Consultants (Community category), Bona Consultants (Business of the Year award) and Caprivi Youth Builders (Entrepreneur of the Year award).

The main sponsors of the event included the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVA), Bomac Motors and Bona Consultants.