Africa-Press – Namibia. Outgoing Walvis Bay mayor, Trevino Forbes (TF), is reflecting on his term as the town’s first citizen. In an interview with New Era journalist Eveline de Klerk (EDK), he opens up about his experience and shares insights as he prepares for a new political journey. Forbes that, despite the pressure and political noise, he is leaving office with a clearer path for the town and a better understanding of issues long ignored.
EDK: You’re about to leave the mayoral office after five eventful years. Looking back, what led you into politics in the first place, and what motivated you to take on such a public role at this stage of your life?
TF: There were quite a few reasons, but the most critical was shaped by Covid-19, which affected our community and brought personal tragedies. I lost close relatives during that time who passed away in hospitals that had no medication. It made me rethink whether I wanted the current government to continue leading my people. The answer was no. Many people in my community (coloured community) don’t get involved in politics because there’s no space for us. That’s why I decided to step in and see what change I could make.
EDK: Starting politics for the first time and immediately leading such a large municipality, how did you handle stepping into this high-pressure role?
TF: It was a hard learning curve. I had never joined a political party before. Most of the councillors I served with were new, and we dealt with many issues we inherited from the previous council. It was not easy, but we made it work.
We changed policies, including housing. I remember being on a forklift at Spar, offloading a truck, when I got a call that land was being sold incorrectly at the municipal building. I rushed over in my uniform and stopped the sale.
Our goal was to ensure small businesses and local people could benefit from land, instead of constantly renting warehouses. We reduced land prices from N$800 to N$500 per square metre. That’s one of our biggest achievements as a council.
EDK: Leadership at the administrative level is also a challenge for the council, as it was without a CEO for quite some time. How did this affect operations?
TF: Yes, that was quite a daunting task, but we were looking for a CEO who would fit Walvis Bay and its dynamics. We needed a strong CEO to fill the gap, we only recently got Victoria Kapenda. People like David Ushona and Frans Gonteb helped a lot, but we lacked a substantive CEO for years. Now that she is here, we can see notable changes; roads are being repaired. However, five years wasn’t enough to achieve everything, but we laid the foundation for the incoming council.
EDK: Engaging with the public is a critical part of leadership. How did you approach connecting with residents, particularly the youth, children and elderly, during your tenure as mayor?
TF: I adopted an open-door policy. People from all walks of life could come to the office. I have a great love for our young people, children and the elderly, and I have tried to assist them to the best of my abilities. What stood out most during my time was that we raised over N$1 million through climate change initiatives, which directly benefitted our young people.
EDK: You were often criticised for travelling and using council funds. What is your take on this?
TF: Most trips I undertook were sponsored by organisations, such as the Bloomberg Philanthropies Youth Climate Action Fund, which awarded N$2.8 million in 2024 for the Walvis Bay Youth Climate Fund. However, it was also necessary for me to participate in regional forums with mayors from Zambia and other countries on climate resilience, bringing these issues to local authority levels. I believe I have completed my tenure successfully and served young people in Walvis Bay.
EDK: Corruption allegations often dog public officials. How did you handle scrutiny and allegations during your tenure, and what steps did you take to ensure transparency?
TF: Councillors brought me to court on corruption allegations, and I was audited, but nothing was found. I also requested a small audit of the mayor’s credit card and office finances again, nothing was found wrong. So, I am happy to say that I did account for every penny I spent.
EDK: What advice would you give to the incoming mayor about handling the pressures of the office while staying committed to serving the public?
TF: Commit yourself to public service. These jobs aren’t about salary or popularity. Nurses, doctors, teachers and councillors are roles of service. Do it honestly and with commitment.
EDK: You’re now contesting for a regional council seat. Why shift focus from the mayoral office to regional politics, and what do you hope to achieve in this new role?
TF: Last year, I ran for national elections. Our party president suggested that I take up a more national role, but my work wasn’t done locally. It would have been easy to jump ship, but as a captain, you remain. My job is to complete what I started and address what the community still lacks. If we have the right people in the office, we can bring real change locally and beyond.
EDK: Did the council match your expectations, or were there challenges that caught you off guard? How did you navigate obstacles along the way?
TF: No, we faced many challenges, such as procurement delays, interference from the national government and internal resistance. It affected us mentally and emotionally. I initially planned an inclusive coalition, but some councillors worked against us. Still, we got things done. Council meetings could be disruptive, but resolutions were always passed. Execution was the bigger challenge in administration, but once the CEO took office, we saw a positive change in the municipality’s affairs.
EDK: Political interference and limited government support are often cited as barriers. How real were these challenges, and what changes would you like to see in how councils operate?
TF: It’s a three-way street. Councillors sometimes cross the line, administrators face community pressure, and the national government interferes. We lacked a substant ive CEO, so intervention was sometimes needed. I think the law should give councillors more leeway. What’s the point of council author i ty if we must report to central government on many issues?
EDK: How satisfied are you with government funding for the municipality, and what message would you leave for those coming into office next?
TF: I’m not satisfied. Funding is provided, but it is insufficient. Council is committed to service delivery, and giving land, but the national government must support incoming councils regardless of political affiliation.
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