“Why Independence If Living Conditions Do Not Improve?” – Sankwasa During Walvis Bay Visit
By TUW
Urban and Rural Development Minister James Sankwasa has sharply criticised the Walvis Bay Municipality over the living conditions in Kuisebmond, accusing local authorities of perpetuating inequalities reminiscent of the apartheid era.
Speaking during a visit to the coastal town, Sankwasa expressed concern about what he described as a deterioration in standards within historically disadvantaged residential areas. He said post-independence governance should have prioritised improving, rather than worsening, the quality of life for black communities.
“If we reflect on the previous regime, there was a clear separation between white and black residential areas. The infrastructure and services in white locations were maintained at a far better standard,” Sankwasa said. “Instead of learning from those benchmarks and raising standards in black communities, we appear to be moving in the opposite direction.”
The minister questioned the rationale behind municipal management practices that, in his view, fail to address longstanding disparities.
“We did not assume control of municipalities to preside over declining living conditions,” he said. “Our responsibility is to ensure that communities live better than they did before independence.”
Sankwasa’s remarks come in the wake of a deadly shack fire in Walvis Bay that claimed two lives, reigniting debate over informal settlements, housing safety, and municipal compliance with land-use regulations.
In response to the tragedy, the minister called for the urgent enforcement of municipal land and housing regulations to prevent similar incidents.
“There must be stricter adherence to planning and safety regulations,” he said. “No Namibian should continue living in conditions that place their lives at risk.”
The Walvis Bay Municipality has yet to publicly respond to the minister’s comments.
