🇳🇦NamibiaSouthern Africa
Landless People’s Movement faces internal strife as former members allege dictatorial leadership
via The Namibian6 min read
The Landless People’s Movement LPM is experiencing internal tensions, with a former regional councillor, Joseph Isaacks, accusing party leader Bernadus Swartbooi of dictatorial leadership. Isaacks, who served as Keetmanshoop Urban councillor, claims the absence of regional structures leads to centralized control by national leaders. He stated that he would contest this perceived dictatorship and called on Swartbooi to adhere to the party’s founding principles. Isaacks also posted on an LPM WhatsApp group, attributing disunity to Swartbooi's "divide-and-rule tactics" and "favouritism leadership style." Meanwhile, the LPM suspended its former Keetmanshoop mayor, McDonald Hanse, who confirmed his suspension but denied allegations of being linked to the formation of a new political party. LPM spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa dismissed Isaacks’ allegations as false and outdated, asserting that the party operates within its constitutional rules and that Swartbooi's decisions are subject to approval by party structures. Simataa confirmed Hanse's suspension, stating it was due to investigations linking him to a meeting about forming a new political party. The LPM has seen high-profile departures in recent years, including former deputy president Henny Seibeb and former secretary general Edson Isaacks in 2024, and the expulsion of former parliamentarian Harald Kambrude in October last year.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
Windhoek is experiencing a significant increase in the cost of living, primarily affecting ordinary residents. The Municipal Council of Windhoek has implemented an average 4% increase on essential services such as water, rates and taxes, sewerage, waste management, refuse removal, and the fire brigade levy. This comes alongside a recent repo rate increase by the Bank of Namibia, which makes loans more expensive, and an inflation rate of approximately 4.4%, reducing purchasing power. For many workers, particularly those earning the minimum wage of around N$4,000 per month, daily expenses in Windhoek, estimated between N$200 and N$450, quickly consume their income, often exceeding it before accounting for rent, education, or medical needs. Namibia also faces a high unemployment rate of 36.9%, with many households relying on a single income or informal work. This combination of rising costs and stagnant wages is weakening household living standards, limiting savings and investment, and potentially slowing economic activity. While public services require funding and inflation needs control, policy decisions must consider the affordability for households. The article suggests that the government and local authorities should focus on targeted support for low-income households, improving public transport, encouraging job creation, and linking tariff increases to visible improvements in service delivery to ensure Windhoek remains a city where residents can live with dignity.
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Must ReadThe United States embassy in Namibia will cease providing visa services for Namibian citizens seeking to travel to the US, effective August 1, 2026. This change is part of a broader realignment by the US Department of State to reduce the number of visa consulate locations across the African continent to 20. As a result, Namibians applying for non-immigrant visas, which include those for tourism, business, or study, will need to visit designated regional visa hubs in Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa. The US Department of State stated that this move aims to enhance national security by promoting more uniform screening, vetting, and adjudication standards. Americans residing in Namibia will continue to receive services from the embassy in Windhoek. The department also noted that this decision aligns with priorities to strengthen national security, reduce government waste, and ensure government operations serve the interests of the American people.