Once bedfellows, Gawanas and Larandja butt heads

On 1 December 2021, Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) councillor Jürgen Hecht nominated Landless People’s Movement (LPM) member Sade Gawanas for the position of mayor of Windhoek. Ndeshihafela Larandja, also of IPC, seconded the nomination. With no other nominations made for the position, Gawanas ascended to mayorship.Fast-forward seven months later, and Gawanas and Larandja are deeply divided, accusing each other of all manner of things.Yesterday, Gawanas accused Larandja of trying to score cheap political points after she held a press conference on Monday to brief the media about why she believes the process of appointing a new CEO for Windhoek was flawed and must start afresh.Gawanas walked out of that press conference, at which Hecht gave a lengthy briefing about the sad state of the City’s finances. She convened her own press briefing yesterday at which she lambasted Larandja for having an unsanctioned press briefing – and at which she differed with her on the issue of appointing the CEO.Yesterday, the mayor lamented the working relationship between City councillors, saying it is unfortunate that they are not working together to serve the interests of Windhoek’s residents. “It is very unfortunate that we had two press briefings, one by the chairperson of management council and one by council. It is also unfortunate that we are sitting with a divided council; it is very unfortunate,” she said.“It is unhealthy for any organisation to work in silos, to have ill-culture problems. It takes us back 50 to 100 years.”Gawanas added that only her, as mayor, the municipality’s acting CEO or its spokesperson may call and address a press conference.Not a good ideaAccording to Gawanas, Larandja had been informed that it would be more appropriate to deal with a motion of no confidence that had been submitted.“On Friday, I received a letter from the chairperson of management committee informing me we will have a press conference. I sat her down and explained why it is not a good idea. I advised her that there is a motion of no confidence before us,” she said. LPM councillor Ivan Skrywer, who is a member of the City of Windhoek council management committee, was also not made aware of the meeting, Gawanas said. “I was not informed, councillor Skrywer also did not receive such information. The information released was not sanctioned; it goes contrary to what we are trying to achieve as council.” Appointment of CEOGawanas added that council would discuss jointly how to move forward with the appointment of the CEO as it was not the sole prerogative of the management committee chairperson or members. Council in its entirety was the first and final point of approval, she said.“The recruitment and selection regulations do not rest with management committee to take decisions on behalf of the local authority council, especially where the powers of council cannot be delegated.” The council will collectively decide on the way forward and not necessarily the management council. The matter will be discussed at a special council meeting, the mayor said. “The matter is before council. We had to postpone the meeting, but at the next special council meeting, we will discuss the matter.”

Once bedfellows, Gawanas and Larandja butt heads

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-28

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Once bedfellows, Gawanas and Larandja butt heads

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-28

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