The JWBRA Manifesto Explained
- JWBRA Team
- Oct 7
- 5 min read
For years, residents of Walvis Bay have seen our city slip deeper into neglect — potholes that never get fixed, sewage spilling into our streets, and a municipality that seems more interested in internal politics than public service.
We all know Walvis Bay can do better. The systems exist. The plans exist. The money exists. But the will and accountability to act have been missing.
This year, we’re running in the 26 November 2025 Local Authority Elections, and our message is clear:
A town run by residents is a town that works.
Who We Are
The Joint Walvis Bay Residents Association (JWBRA) is made up of business owners, workers, community leaders, and families - local residents who want to see their town thrive.
We’re not a national political party. We don’t answer to politicians in Windhoek. Our focus is 100% on Walvis Bay — its roads, its services, its finances, and its future.
When you vote for JWBRA, you’re voting for people you can call, message, and hold accountable — people who live here, just like you. So we made sure the JWBRA Manifesto doesn't just fix problems but also plans ahead.
The Problems We Face
Every resident of Walvis Bay can see the problems:
Roads that are crumbling and full of potholes.
Sewage overflowing in our neighborhoods.
Customer Care that doesn’t care — with residents chasing unanswered calls.
Money being wasted while sidewalks crack and playgrounds rot.
Public spaces left dirty and unsafe for families and children.
This is not the Walvis Bay we deserve.
Our manifesto is a plan to start moving in the right direction — not with slogans, but with practical goals, deadlines, and accountability.
Between 2026 and 2030, we’ll focus on five pillars for a better Walvis Bay.
Pillar 1: Improved Municipal Service Delivery
For 30 years, the municipality has operated without a performance management system. Staff are paid regardless of how well they perform — and it shows.
We will fight to change that.
JWBRA will push for a Performance Management System (PMS) that rewards excellence and disciplines neglect. Every job in the municipality must have a description, a target, and a review.
To ensure that residents’ voices are finally heard, we want to implement a ticketing system for complaints — so that every query is logged, tracked, and resolved. No more calling five numbers to fix a drain.
Transparency will be non-negotiable. We’ll demand that:
Council minutes are shared publicly and on time.
A qualified internal auditor is appointed.
Maintenance schedules are published for roads, sewerage, and vehicles.
The municipal budget is presented line-by-line so residents can see exactly where their money goes.
Finally, we’ll push for the creation of a City Police unit — to enforce by-laws, keep our streets safe, and restore order to a town that has been ignored for too long.
Pillar 2: Better Roads and Sewerage
Walvis Bay’s roads and sewerage system are in a state of emergency — and we must treat them that way. Our plan is to declare an infrastructure emergency so that road and sewer upgrades can move forward quickly through expedited procurement.
We’ll also publish an emergency plan to repair potholes and pump stations, along with all studies and reports that have been kept hidden for years. The public deserves to know what’s been done — and what hasn’t.
The city’s sewer plant has been overloaded since the 1980s. We will fight to fast-track the design and construction of a new sewerage plant outside Walvis Bay by using emergency funding and appointing reputable contractors. This will finally stop the sewage crisis threatening our health and environment.
Beyond immediate fixes, JWBRA will push for:
Integrated city-port planning between the municipality, Namport, and national agencies to align development and reduce truck congestion.
A modern truck port and logistics hub near the airport.
Advocacy for a functional railway system to relieve pressure on roads and support the logistics corridor.
These are not dreams — they are urgent necessities for a port city that wants to compete globally.
Pillar 3: Water Security and Environmental Sustainability
Water is life — and in a desert city like Walvis Bay, it’s our most precious resource.
For decades, the Kuiseb aquifer has been over-extracted to supply mines and industries, while our own residents face future shortages.
We will advocate for sustainable water management that protects the aquifer and secures supply for generations to come. This includes recharging the water table with purified effluent and promoting desalination plants for long-term independence.
We will also restore dignity and safety for residents by building public toilets and trading stalls, reducing public defecation, and creating safer spaces for informal traders.
And because Walvis Bay’s environment is our pride, we will push to:
Shield Pelican Bay from erosion.
Protect the Walvis Bay Lagoon — a Ramsar site — from silting through expert studies and long-term plans.
Environmental protection is not just about tourism — it’s about survival.
Pillar 4: Financial Sustainability
A town cannot grow if its finances are broken. Walvis Bay has operated for years without proper debt control or internal auditing. The result? Money wasted, and residents paying for it.
JWBRA wants to restore financial discipline by:
Reviewing internal debt collection and stopping the outsourcing of debt at residents’ expense.
Giving large debtors 60 days to pay or face legal action.
Demanding that Namport contribute fairly to city upkeep — either through a 50% equity stake or a N$300 million annual payment to support road and infrastructure maintenance.
Collaborating with Swakopmund to review Erongo RED’s dividend policy, ensuring local councils earn a fair share of revenue.
We’ll push for a transparent, sustainable budget that focuses on essential services — not luxury trips or office furniture.
Pillar 5: Youth Recreation and Civic Facilities
The heart of any city is its people — especially its youth. We’ll support projects that bring life and safety back to our neighbourhoods:
New and upgraded community parks, sports fields, and playgrounds.
Youth clubs and leisure spaces that keep young people active and off the streets.
Annual cleaning campaigns to restore civic pride and involve residents directly.
Support for modern schools, a university, and improved hospitals — through partnerships with public and private developers.
When the next generation has hope, the whole city grows stronger.
The JWBRA Manifesto: A Vision of Accountability, Transparency, and Community
Our 2025–2030 plan is not just another manifesto. It’s a roadmap for a cleaner, safer, more prosperous Walvis Bay — built on measurable goals and clear deadlines.
We’ve included 47 concrete goals in our action plan, covering every area of city management, from service delivery to financial oversight. Every commitment has a target date — and when we’re elected, residents will be able to track our progress publicly.
This is what accountability looks like.
Why Your Vote Matters
When you vote in national elections, you choose leaders for Namibia.When you vote in local authority elections, you choose who runs your city — your water, your roads, your parks, your finances.
That’s why we’re asking you to vote for JWBRA on 26 November 2025.
Because Walvis Bay doesn’t need more politics. It needs residents who care — and who will work to make this city the best-run in Namibia.
Together, we can clean our streets, rebuild our systems, and restore pride in our home.
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