Allexer Namundjembo
Former Lüderitz mayor Philipus Balhao says he is considering contesting the upcoming regional and local authority elections after resigning from the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) and from his position as mayor this week.
Balhao confirmed his intentions to the Windhoek Observer on Wednesday, a day after his resignation.
“We have not made a conclusive decision yet, but I am working on a strategy. We are considering creating a ratepayers’ association with devoted citizens from an apolitical perspective. Right now, it is still just an idea, and we are putting more heads together. We haven’t made any firm commitment yet,” he said.
In his resignation letter, Balhao noted that the decision was not taken lightly.
“I am writing to formally resign from my position as a member of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) and from my role as mayor of Lüderitz, effective immediately,” the letter read.
He thanked the party for the opportunity to serve and said he remains committed to the welfare and development of the community.
Balhao did not provide reasons for stepping down.
During his time as mayor, Balhao became known for pushing service delivery, infrastructure development, and transparency in local governance.
Re-elected in November 2024 with Josephine Heita of Swapo as his deputy, he called for Lüderitz to be declared a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) to attract investment and cut red tape.
He often spoke out against corruption and financial mismanagement in the town council, pointing to amended financial records, questionable land allocations, and the lack of clean audit reports.
Housing was a central issue for him, as he pushed for solutions to address Lüderitz’s 6 000 unit housing backlog while tackling high land development costs.
Balhao also supported the expansion of the Lüderitz port, arguing that it would create jobs and drive growth.
His stance drew criticism from traditional leaders and heritage activists concerned about genocide graves at Shark Island.
Recently, Balhao drew public attention for speaking openly about his struggles with heroin addiction, homelessness, ADHD, and bipolar disorder.
He said he survived multiple suicide attempts before rebuilding his life, experiences he says shaped his mission to lead with hope, redemption, and change.
Immanuel Nashinge, IPC’s leader in parliament and party spokesperson, said the party acknowledges Balhao’s decision to resign.
“We express our sincere appreciation to Balhao for his service and dedication during his time with IPC. His contributions to the community under the IPC banner are acknowledged, and we wish him well in his future political endeavours,” he said.
Nashinge reaffirmed IPC’s commitment to its founding principles. “The party will continue to protect, defend, and uphold the democratic principles of grassroots participatory democracy. We remain anchored in the core values of integrity, transparency, accountability, unity, and service to the people,” he said.
