Emrico Blaauw

Emrico Blaauw — Keetmanshoop mayor elected July 2026, formerly ||Kharas Football Region chairman until resigning over statutory conflict.

2026-03-112026-10-22

News reports

Order a long-term news report on Emrico Blaauw

Every mention in the Namibian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.

What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

October 2026
21 OctWindhoek Observer
Keetmanshoop mayor Emrico Blaauw declined to comment further on the allegations
Source
“When contacted for comment, Keetmanshoop mayor Emrico Blaauw said he was aware of the allegations but declined to comment further.”
Keetmanshoop broke, cannot pay October salaries …Sankwasa refuses bailout as three councillors travel to Cape Town without ministerial approval
6 OctThe Namibian
Keetmanshoop mayor Emrico Blaauw says the municipality is looking forward to water from Neckartal Dam.
Source
“Keetmanshoop mayor Emrico Blaauw says the municipality is looking forward to water from the Neckartal Dam becoming available to strengthen water security at the town and the wider ||Kharas region.”
Expected growth from Neckartal in doldrums
6 OctThe Namibian
Blaauw says further dam development has been slowed by administrative processes including land-related matters.
Source
“However, he indicates that further development around the dam has been slowed by administrative processes, including land-related matters.”
Expected growth from Neckartal in doldrums
September 2026
14 SeptNew Era
Mayor Emrico Blaauw said theme is timely and deeply meaningful
Source
“Meanwhile, in Keetmanshoop, Mayor Emrico Blaauw said the theme is both timely and deeply meaningful.”
Nation unites in faith
August 2026
27 AugThe Namibian
Keetmanshoop mayor Emrico Blaauw says the municipality is cooperating with law enforcement in investigating the death
Source
“Keetmanshoop mayor Emrico Blaauw says the municipality is cooperating with law enforcement in investigating the death of a boy at the town on Sunday.”
No arrest after Keetmanshoop boy dies under municipal truck
July 2026
18 JulThe Namibian
Swapo councillor Emrico Blaauw was elected as the town's new mayor
Source
“The Keetmanshoop municipal council has elected Swapo councillor Emrico Blaauw as the town's new mayor.”
Swapo councillor Blaauw elected as new Keetmans mayor
18 JulThe Namibian
Emrico Blaauw was elected new mayor of Keetmanshoop Town Council
Source
“The decision to withdraw Skeyer was made just a day before the Keetmanshoop Town Council elected Swapo councillor Emrico Blaauw as new mayor.”
IPC withdraws Keetmanshoop councillor
10 JulThe Namibian
Emrico Blaauw resigned from the position with immediate effect as Kharas Football Region chairman
Source
“Kharas Football Region (KFR) chairman Emrico Blaauw has resigned from the position with immediate effect, citing compliance with the Namibia Sports Act and the Namibia Football Association (NFA) statutes.”
Blaauw resigns as ||Kharas region football chairman
10 JulThe Namibian
Emrico Blaauw says serving as councillor and football chairperson contravenes the sports act
Source
“He says serving as a local authority councillor for the Keetmanshoop Municipality and chairperson for the football body contravenes the sports act.”
Blaauw resigns as ||Kharas region football chairman
June 2026
25 JunThe Namibian
Councillor Emrico Blaauw was chairperson of the meeting that resolved to remove Desiree Boois
Source
“The chairperson of the meeting that resolved to remove her, councillor Emrico Blaauw, told The Namibian on Thursday that concerns also remain over incomplete financial records at the municipality.”
Keetmanshoop acting CEO recalled over alleged procurement breach

Politics

Keetmanshoop municipality unable to pay October salaries, minister denies bailout

The News

The Keetmanshoop municipality cannot pay its employees for October and has a nearly N$100 million debt to NamWater. Urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa confirmed the crisis and refused a government bailout, saying the council's financial problems resulted from its own actions, and also questioned three councillors' travel to Cape Town without ministerial approval while salaries remain unpaid.

21 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Yesterday

Keetmanshoop municipality unable to pay October salaries, minister denies bailout
The Keetmanshoop municipality cannot pay its employees for October and has a nearly N$100 million debt to NamWater. Urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa confirmed the crisis and refused a government bailout, saying the council's financial problems resulted from its own actions, and also questioned three councillors' travel to Cape Town without ministerial approval while salaries remain unpaid.
21 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 6 October

Neckartal Dam progress stalls amid southern water security concerns
Keetmanshoop and ||Kharas leaders say the Neckartal Dam project has not delivered expected agricultural opportunities and economic development, with the municipality citing insufficient water supply from existing sources to meet growing demand and exploring alternative water sources including groundwater studies.
6 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 14 September

Namibia holds national prayer day against gender-based violence
Namibia observed National Prayer Day across towns and villages on Saturday under the theme "Seeking Divine Intervention for Behavioural Change," with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah warning that prayer alone cannot end gender-based violence and must be matched by government performance and action from families, communities, and institutions.
14 September 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 27 August

Ten-year-old dies under municipal water truck in Keetmanshoop
Mohammed Austin, a Grade 3 pupil at Don Bosco Primary School, was run over by a municipal water truck at Paradise informal settlement in Keetmanshoop on Sunday. Keetmanshoop mayor Emrico Blaauw says the municipality is cooperating with law enforcement in investigating the death, and no arrest has been made.
27 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 18 July

Swapo councillor Blaauw elected Keetmanshoop mayor
The Keetmanshoop municipal council has elected Swapo councillor Emrico Blaauw as the town's new mayor, with Beata Set as deputy mayor. The election follows the recall of LPM mayor Melody Swartbooi in June.
18 July 2026 · The Namibian →
IPC withdraws Keetmanshoop councillor for party directive violations
The Independent Patriots for Change has withdrawn councillor Pieter Skeyer from the Keetmanshoop Town Council, citing alleged violations of party directives. Skeyer, who served six months, said his decisions were based on personal conviction and will now focus on his role as school principal.
18 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 10 July

||Kharas football region chairman resigns citing statutory conflict
Emrico Blaauw has resigned as ||Kharas Football Region chairman, citing that his simultaneous service as a Keetmanshoop Municipality councillor contravenes the Namibia Sports Act and NFA statutes. He recommends the vice chairperson assume the role until the next elections.
10 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 25 June

Keetmanshoop acting CEO removed over procurement breach allegations
The acting chief executive of Keetmanshoop municipality was recalled by councillors over alleged financial non-compliance, including a financial services company appointed without following procurement procedures and incomplete financial records. The municipality is also facing legal and governance challenges, including a court dispute over its management committee composition.
25 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 18 June

LPM leader dismisses Keetmanshoop mayor over councillor vote
The Landless People's Movement leader Bernadus Swartbooi dismissed ousted Keetmanshoop mayor Melody Swartbooi after she allegedly failed to ensure a motion of no confidence against two fellow LPM councillors was brought to council, with derogatory WhatsApp messages and audio recordings revealing long-standing tensions between them.
18 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 14 June

ACC investigates Keetmanshoop municipality electricity contract deal
The Anti-Corruption Commission is investigating the Keetmanshoop Municipality over alleged irregularities in a N$3.4-million service level agreement awarded to JJF Investments and Bellatrix SME Finance for the supply of prepaid electricity meters. The Ministry of Finance also launched an investigation after receiving information alleging non-compliance with the Public Procurement Act.
14 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 28 May

Keetmanshoop municipality spends N$391,000 monthly on vehicle rentals
Keetmanshoop municipality pays N$391,000 a month to rent 26 vehicles from Avis Fleet, including a Mercedes-Benz for the mayor, prompting criticism from councillors who call the expenditure wasteful given the municipality's financial constraints.
28 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 28 March

24th Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup set for April
The youth development tournament, bringing together under-20 football and netball teams from all 14 regions, is scheduled for 3–6 April in Keetmanshoop with over 1,000 players and delegates expected. Organisers say preparations are nearly complete, with infrastructure improvements including renovated facilities, new soccer fields and netball courts, and accommodation secured across local schools and town venues.
28 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 20 March

NovaNam sponsors ||Kharas under-20 team for football tournament
Fishing company NovaNam has donated supplies to the ||Kharas under-20 football team preparing for the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup. The ||Kharas Football chairperson says the sponsorship came at a crucial time and called on regional businesses to support youth sports and community development.
20 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 11 March

||Kharas to host Namibian Newspaper Cup football tournament April
The ||Kharas region will host the 24th edition of The Namibian Newspaper Cup at Westdene Stadium in Keetmanshoop from 3 to 6 April after winning hosting rights on their third bid attempt. The region has completed stadium renovations including new lighting and resurfaced fields, and aims to replicate the success of their previous 2012 hosting while competing to win the tournament for the second time since 2019.
11 March 2026 · The Namibian →