Allexer Namundjembo
The Landless People’s Movement (LPM) has confirmed that former Lüderitz mayor Philipus Balhao has officially joined the party as an ordinary member, but his candidacy in the upcoming local and regional elections has not yet been decided.
Speculation has been growing in Lüderitz that Balhao could be fielded as one of the party’s candidates.
LPM has stressed that such decisions lie strictly within its constitutional structures.
LPM deputy spokesperson William Minnie told Windhoek Observer yesterday that while Balhao’s membership is confirmed, the question of his candidacy is for the leadership to determine.
“Membership is one thing, but being endorsed as a candidate is a strategic responsibility of the founding executive,” he said.
Minnie said the party wants leaders who can carry forward the vision of justice, accountability, and service to the people.
“It is not a matter of speculation or popularity. The party leadership must carefully weigh who is best suited to advance the mandate of meaningful change within our local governance structures,” he said.
He explained that the electoral management unit is overseeing procedural aspects of the electoral process in Lüderitz, but the final authority rests with the party’s leadership.
“The founding executive will continue to exercise its full authority in endorsing candidates. The party remains committed to decisions that serve the best interests of the people and our long-term democratic project,” he added.
Balhao’s decision to join LPM comes after a series of shifts in his political path. He resigned from the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) last month, where he served as mayor of Lüderitz on IPC’s ticket.
After leaving IPC, he attempted to register the Lüderitz Ratepayers Association, a civic initiative aimed at promoting transparency and accountability, but the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) rejected the application on procedural grounds. He later vowed to contest under the association’s banner in 2030.
Balhao recently shared his recovery from heroin addiction, homelessness, and challenges linked to bipolar disorder and ADHD.
His political interest grew in 2019 after being inspired by IPC leader Panduleni Itula’s presidential campaign.
Balhao became a member of the IPC and participated in the 2020 local authority elections. He was elected as a councillor and later became mayor of Lüderitz.
During his time as mayor, he pushed for service delivery, housing, infrastructure, and transparency in the council.
He also promoted the idea of declaring Lüderitz a Special Economic Zone and often spoke out against corruption and inefficiency.
