IPC president Itula attacks ‘apologetic’ local authority failures

Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) president Panduleni Itula says the era of complacent leadership and public excuses is over, urging voters to defend the progress made under IPC-led structures by electing leaders who “act, not apologise”.

Addressing a party campaign gathering at Walvis Bay on Saturday, Itula criticised leaders who publicly admitted failure while seeking another mandate, saying this reflects poor leadership rather than the will of the electorate.

“When councillors stand before you and confess that they have failed, that failure is a reflection of themselves, not of you, the people,” he said.

He stressed that Namibians should refuse to reward non-performance at the polls, especially at a time when communities are demanding accountability, land, and better service delivery.

Itula said the IPC entered local authority and regional council leadership during a period of intense socio-economic pressure, yet still managed to drive reforms and deliver tangible results.

“Our foundation is not built on empty promises, we made commitments to restore dignity, to bring land to the people, to ease the financial burden on vulnerable households, and we honoured those commitments despite immense challenges,” he said.

He emphasised that leadership must be measured by action, not rhetoric, noting that the IPC worked with communities, pensioners, residents’ associations and youth structures to implement interventions that had direct impact.

Following the party leader’s remarks, Trevino Forbes, the IPC’s candidate for the Walvis Bay Urban constituency, highlighted achievements realised under IPC oversight.

He pointed to the writing off of more than N$50 million in elderly residents’ municipal debts as a major relief measure, alongside the successful allocation of land at farm 37.

“Those beneficiaries can tell you they received land because the IPC made a promise and honoured it, and more land will be delivered,” he said.

IPC Utuseb branch youth chairperson Glenn Kasper reinforced the call for responsive leadership, saying communities deserve representatives who are present, accountable and committed to real development.

He said the IPC’s track record shows that the party prioritises people over politics, adding that the upcoming elections are a critical moment for sustaining progress.

The party also introduced its other candidates for the upcoming local authority and regional council elections, including Profilia Iyambo for Arandis, Johannes Tjali for Walvis Bay Rural, and Louisa Kativa for the Swakopmund constituency.– Nampa

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