Africa-Press – Namibia. Several independent candidates have joined the race for regional constituency councillor positions in the Erongo region ahead of the November regional and local elections, contesting alongside nominees from established political parties.
Leading the surge are Richard !Hoaeb, a former Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) councillor now seeking the Walvis Bay Rural constituency seat as an independent candidate; Sidney Halupe, a Swakopmund-based activist contesting the Swakopmund constituency, as well as Dennis Tjiueza, a former United Democratic Front (UDF) councillor contesting the Omaruru constituency.
The three constituencies have been under the leadership of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) and Swapo councillors, respectively, for the past five years.
In a recent interview with Nampa, !Hoaeb, who previously served five years as councillor and chairperson of the management committee in the Walvis Bay Municipality, said his decision to go independent stems from frustration with political interference and slow bureaucratic processes.
“I chose to stand as an independent candidate because leadership must put people before politics. Many residents feel unheard and underserved due to political gridlocks.
I have seen how party interests can overshadow genuine community needs,” he expressed.
!Hoaeb, who has a corporate background and extensive governance experience, said his independence allows him to work freely with regional authorities, ministries, traditional leaders and the private sector without the weight of party directives.
His priorities include improving access to water, sanitation, and rural road networks, particularly in the Farm 37, Rooibank and Utuseb areas that still face infrastructure backlogs. “Access to water, sanitation and transport is not a luxury; it is a right. Our people deserve reliable services, and I intend to deliver that through a local infrastructure task team that ensures accountability and faster progress,” he stressed.
!Hoaeb also pledged to revive youth opportunities, support small-scale farmers, and enhance transparency in rural governance through public land registers and community consultation forums. “Trust is earned through action, and I am committed to delivering results, not promises,” he added.
Meanwhile in Swakopmund, 32-year-old Halupe is fast gaining traction among younger voters who say they are weary of the same faces and same speeches.
A community activist and entrepreneur with backing from the Swakopmund Residents’ Association, Halupe has long been involved in youth empowerment programmes and local initiatives.
“We have believed for so long that someone will save us, but no one is coming. That is why I decided to stand up as an independent candidate, to be a voice for the voiceless and to fight for fairness,” he expressed.
His campaign focuses on housing and land reform, education access, and accountability in public spending.
He also pledged to advocate for the establishment of a training or higher-education facility in Swakopmund to reduce the cost burden on students who must travel to Windhoek or Walvis Bay for tertiary studies.
“It is about dignity and opportunity. Young people are not lazy, they just need access.
We can change this by creating mentorship spaces, entrepreneurship hubs and vocational training aligned with local industries,” he expressed.
He said leadership should not be a career but a calling to serve, vowing to strengthen collaboration between the constituency office, schools and civic groups to ensure community needs are addressed collectively.
“Leadership should not be a career; it should be a calling to serve and I am not here to talk, I am here to act,” Halupe emphasised.
Tjiueza, who served as a local authority councillor from 2015 to 2020, told Nampa his decision to run as an independent is rooted in his belief that community interests should take precedence over political directives.
“What motivated me is the way I have worked with people over the years and the interest I have in my town.
Political parties often work through directives that do not always reflect the real needs of the people on the ground and as an independent, I can engage directly with residents and make decisions that speak to their priorities,” he said.
Tjiueza, who has been employed at the regional council for over 15 years, said his experience gives him a clear understanding of how the Regional Councils Act guides service delivery.
He emphasised that collaboration between regional councils and local authorities is essential to achieve sustainable development.
“The regional and local authority levels must work together.
The regional office has standing mandates to support youth programmes, local projects and self-sustainability initiatives. When we collaborate effectively, communities benefit more directly,” he added.
If elected, Tjiueza plans to promote inclusivity by engaging both commercial farmers and farmworkers in local development initiatives, ensuring that “no one is left out” of government programmes.
He also highlighted the need to revitalise sports and youth empowerment programmes in Omaruru, including strengthening coordination with the Ministry of Youth to ensure information-sharing and participation in national initiatives.
“Omaruru has produced national sports talent before, and I want to bring back that spirit by supporting both football and netball. The youth must also be encouraged to take part in civic life and make informed decisions at the polls,” Tjiueza said.
The rise of independent candidates in the Erongo region is not unprecedented.
Knowledge Ipinge won the Walvis Bay Urban by-election as an independent candidate in 2020 and went on to serve as regional councillor.
The Regional Councils and Local Authority elections are set to take place on 26 November, with the Electoral Commission of Namibia expected to release the full list of candidates for all seven Erongo constituencies in the coming weeks.
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