Allexer Namundjembo
Opposition lost power in Windhoek because the coalition collapsed almost immediately after taking office in 2020, says community activist Shaun Gariseb.
He believes the result opened the door for Swapo’s return to the city’s political leadership in 2025.
“Opposition failed in the very first year when the coalition was spoilt and councillors got captured by technocrats with S&T. From there, it was just political fights, and nothing moved,” Gariseb said.
Swapo has now reclaimed the Windhoek municipal council with eight seats against the opposition’s seven, ending five years of coalition rule.
Gariseb, while critical of the opposition’s performance, said Swapo now has a chance to prove whether it can deliver.
“With the ruling party having a majority, I now hope service delivery will improve,” he said.
He said Windhoek ratepayers have prepared a deputation request that will be submitted to the chairperson of the management committee, Austin Kwenani.
“Some of the outstanding issues continue to have cost implications for residents. We expect an audience in February.”
He said residents will monitor Swapo closely.
“Let the council prove to us that they are with the ratepayers or that they protect the technocrats,” he said.
Swapo has now assumed full control of the city’s leadership.
During Friday’s swearing-in of the 15 councillors, the party used its majority to elect Sakarias Uunona as mayor and Albertina Amutenya as deputy mayor. The eight Swapo councillors are: Uunona, Amutenya, Matheus Shoongo, Fransina Kahungu, Demetreo Beukes, Toini Ambambi, Austin Kwenani, and Queen Kamati.
The IPC, AR, LPM, PDM and UDF each hold one of the remaining seven seats.
Affirmative Repositioning’s Khomas regional chairperson, Sem David, said he fears Swapo’s return will worsen conditions.
“I am of the view that the worst is coming, as we see now that Swapo has taken all the high seats of leadership,” he said. “They will inherit the mess they created when they were busy sabotaging the opposition.”
David argued that Swapo will not know how to address long-standing issues.
“The mess they created over the past years is going to widen because they won’t know where to start,” he said.
He also criticises the electorate.
“Voters are in a dilemma and have no clue what is going on. They just voted with no understanding.”
