Walvis bay: Several independent candidates have entered the race for regional constituency councillor positions in the Erongo Region ahead of the November regional and local elections, competing against nominees from established political parties.
According to Namibia Press Agency, leading the charge are Richard Hoaeb, a former Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) councillor now vying for the Walvis Bay Rural Constituency seat as an independent candidate; Sidney Halupe, a Swakopmund-based activist contesting the Swakopmund Constituency; and Dennis Tjiueza, a former United Democratic Front (UDF) councillor, running for the Omaruru Constituency.
The leadership of the three constituencies has been under the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) and Swapo councillors for the past five years. Hoaeb, who previously served as a councillor and chairperson of the management committee in the Walvis Bay Municipality, cited frustration with political interference and bureaucratic processes as reasons for his independent candidacy.
Hoaeb emphasized the importance of prioritizing people over politics, noting that many residents feel neglected due to political gridlocks. His campaign focuses on improving infrastructure in areas that still face backlogs, such as Farm 37, Rooibank, and Utuseb.
Meanwhile, in Swakopmund, 32-year-old Halupe is gaining support among younger voters. A community activist and entrepreneur, Halupe is focusing on housing, education access, and transparency in public spending. He champions the establishment of a local training or higher-education facility to alleviate the burden on students traveling to distant cities for studies.
Tjiueza, who served as a local authority councillor from 2015 to 2020, believes in prioritizing community interests over political directives. With over 15 years of experience at the regional council, he advocates for collaboration between regional and local authorities to achieve sustainable development.
The growing influence of independent candidates in the Erongo Region is not new. Knowledge Ipinge won the Walvis Bay Urban by-election as an independent candidate in 2020 and served as a regional councillor. The Regional Councils and Local Authority elections are scheduled for 26 November, with the Electoral Commission of Namibia set to release the full list of candidates for all seven Erongo constituencies soon.