Larandja elected as Windhoek’s new mayor after political stalemate

The Windhoek City Council has finally elected a new mayor after two attempts failed because of political bickering.

Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) councillor Ndeshihafela Larandja was yesterday elected as the capital’s new mayor.

Larandja received nine out of 12 votes against Austin Kwenani of Swapo, who received three votes.

She is deputised by Clemencia Hanases from the Popular Democratic Movement.

The Windhoek City Council yesterday also elected its new management committee, chaired by the Affirmative Repositioning’s Ilse Keister.

Other members include Joseph Uapingene (Nudo), Fransina Kahunga (Swapo), Jürgen Hecht (IPC) and Bernardus Araeb (IPC).

Magistrate Immanuel Udjombala, who presided over the election, said the committee will serve until November. He said this is because it should have been elected in December already.

Hecht yesterday said the opposition united to unseat Swapo.

“This was a joint move by the opposition. We had the IPC, Affirmative Repositioning, Nudo and PDM to work together to come to this decision,” he said.

Sources yesterday said Affirmative Repositioning (AR) rekindled its union with the IPC, Nudo and the PDM.

This follows a three-year stand-off between them, which started when AR pushed to remove the IPC from the city’s management committee.

IPC councillors were booted from the City of Windhoek management committee in 2022, saying accusations of incompetence and misconduct levelled against them were unsubstantiated.

Landless People’s Movement (LPM) city councillors did not attend the council meeting yesterday due to LPM councillor Sade Gawanas being hospitalised, while Ivan Skrwyer missed the meeting because of obligations regarding the LPM’s ongoing election challenge.

“Sade was hospitalised earlier today. Therefore, I couldn’t make it to the election, and she did notify the council. I was informed he [Skrywer] was with the lawyers in regard to our case with ECN,” LPM spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa said.

“He is our ECN-assigned representative. He also informed the council he could not make it,” Simataa said.

In December, councillors walked out of a meeting chaired by magistrate Udjombala.

The walkout followed Udjombala’s refusal to grant the councillors a recess.

When the meeting recommenced the next day, Windhoek chief executive Moses Matyayi said the council did not meet a quorum, with only four councillors present.

PROMISES

Accepting her election, Larandja promised to listen to residents.

“I will make sure every neighbourhood thrives, every child has a chance to dream big, and every citizen feels the pride of calling this city home,” she said.

Larandja promised initiatives that will address the lack of sanitation and water the city is faced with.

“These issues affect not only the health of our residents, but also the image and potential of the City of Windhoek as a global tourism destination.

“Addressing these foundational issues is not only the moral responsibility, but a critical step in realising the vision for the thriving city.

“As your mayor, I pledge to make this a top priority,” she said.

Larandja urged councillors to pause and reflect on the critical success factors that will enhance collective efforts in achieving goals outlined in the municipality’s strategic plan for 2022 to 2027.

“Let us build on the solid foundations and achievements of this term with a renewed sense of determination.

“It is incumbent upon us to implement council resolutions with vigour and dedication, thereby establishing a lasting legacy that will enable the next generation of office-bearers in 2026 to build upon our work,” she said.