Also known as: Walvis Bay mayor Johannes Shimbilinga
Mayor of Walvis Bay addressing municipal governance failures, infrastructure priorities, and public health concerns.
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Windhoek Observer
Walvis Bay mayor Johannes Shimbilinga called an urgent meeting with health and education officials
“Renthia Kaimbi Walvis Bay mayor Johannes Shimbilinga called an urgent meeting with health and education officials to reassure the public following an outbreak of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) at several schools in the coastal town.”
Walvis Bay mayor urges calm as HFMD disease affects local schoolsWindhoek Observer
Shimbilinga urged the public to remain calm
“"I urge the public to remain calm," he said.”
Walvis Bay mayor urges calm as HFMD disease affects local schoolsWindhoek Observer
Mayor Johannes Shimbilinga officially opened the 2026 Erongo Regional Career Fair
“Officially opening the event, the town's mayor Johannes Shimbilinga, delivered a stirring address in which he described career fairs not merely as exhibitions but as vital bridges linking youthful ambition with tangible opportunity.”
OBSERVER COASTAL | Mayor calls for collective action to prepare youth for emerging industriesWindhoek Observer
Mayor Johannes Shimbilinga called for collective action from employers, educators, government agencies, parents, and communities to equip Namibia's youth with skills
“He called on employers, educators, government agencies, parents, and communities to unite in a shared mission to equip Namibia's youth with the skills, mentorship, and support systems necessary to build rewarding careers and, in turn, contribute meaningfully to national development.”
OBSERVER COASTAL | Mayor calls for collective action to prepare youth for emerging industriesWindhoek Observer
Walvis Bay mayor Johannes Shimbilinga signed regulatory framework establishing permit system for informal trading
“The crackdown forms part of a broader regulatory framework introduced in March, which established a permit system for informal trading signed by Walvis Bay mayor Johannes Shimbilinga.”
OBSERVER COASTAL | Walvis Bay orders informal traders in CBD to vacateWindhoek Observer
Walvis Bay mayor Johannes Shimbilinga led the first Mayoral Clean Up Campaign in Walvis Bay
“Led by Walvis Bay mayor Johannes Shimbilinga, the coordinated day transformed public spaces across the coastal town, with clean-up activities focused mainly in Kuisebmond, Narraville, and the town centre.”
OBSERVER COASTAL | Nearly 1 000 bags of rubbish collected in Walvis BayWindhoek Observer
Shimbilinga described the clean-up campaign as a positive first step
“Despite the ongoing challenges, Shimbilinga described the clean-up campaign as a positive first step, adding that lasting environmental change depends on continued personal responsibility and community participation.”
OBSERVER COASTAL | Nearly 1 000 bags of rubbish collected in Walvis BayWindhoek Observer
Johannes Shimbilinga has pledged to act on landfill fires covering parts of the town
“Walvis Bay mayor Johannes Shimbilinga has pledged to act on landfill fires that have covered parts of the town in smoke.”
OBSERVER COASTAL | Walvis Bay mayor vows to extinguish landfill firesWindhoek Observer
Johannes Shimbilinga announced an immediate ban on tyre dumping at the landfill site
“He announced an immediate ban on tyre dumping at the site.”
OBSERVER COASTAL | Walvis Bay mayor vows to extinguish landfill firesNew Era
Johannes Shimbilinga acknowledged the challenges, noting that the area falls under State jurisdiction
“Walvis Bay mayor Johannes Shimbilinga acknowledged the challenges, noting that the area falls under State jurisdiction.”
Live at Walvis’ troubled dumpsiteWalvis Bay's mayor convened an urgent meeting with health and education officials to address a Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak at several local schools. Health ministry officials clarified that HFMD is a mild, self-limiting viral infection comparable to chickenpox, with most patients recovering within seven days, and stressed that serious complications are rare.
30 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Walvis Bay's mayor convened an urgent meeting with health and education officials to address a Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak at several local schools. Health ministry officials clarified that HFMD is a mild, self-limiting viral infection comparable to chickenpox, with most patients recovering within seven days, and stressed that serious complications are rare.
30 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
At the 2026 Erongo Regional Career Fair in Walvis Bay, Mayor Johannes Shimbilinga called for collective action to prepare young people for emerging industries, particularly oil and gas and green hydrogen, emphasizing the importance of STEM subjects and technical skills.
23 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Municipality of Walvis Bay has ordered informal traders operating in the town's Central Business District to cease operations and vacate by 17 June 2026, with law enforcement and cleanup operations to begin Friday for non-compliant traders. The order is part of a regulatory framework introduced in March that requires informal traders to obtain permits and relocate to designated trading zones.
18 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
More than 990 bags of rubbish were collected in Walvis Bay during the first Mayoral Clean Up Campaign, led by mayor Johannes Shimbilinga and joined by community members, businesses, volunteers, and municipal teams. The initiative, held in observance of World Biodiversity Day, focused on public spaces in Kuisebmond, Narraville, and the town centre, as the town faces growing frustration over sanitation and waste management challenges.
4 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Walvis Bay mayor Johannes Shimbilinga has pledged to address landfill fires that have blanketed parts of the town in smoke, citing public health and air quality concerns. He attributed the fires to unauthorised activity and tyre burning, announced an immediate ban on tyre dumping, and said the municipality is working to transfer land within Dorob National Park to improve site management.
30 April 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
A controlled landfill in Walvis Bay has transformed into an informal settlement housing over 100 shacks and more than 300 people, with residents reporting illegal tyre burning, undercover prostitution, domestic violence, and drug activity. The situation raises serious environmental and health concerns for surrounding communities, prompting authorities to engage stakeholders on de-proclaiming the portion within Dorob National Park to enable better municipal management.
9 April 2026 · New Era →
Walvis Bay Municipality has been without an internal audit, performance management system, or general manager for 17 years, with further gaps including poorly designed job descriptions, a recently established procurement unit, and reports of staff conducting business with the municipality. Mayor Johannes Shimbilinga revealed these systemic governance failures to residents and called for reforms to address deep-rooted institutional problems affecting service delivery.
19 March 2026 · New Era →
Residents and health professionals in Walvis Bay are demanding government intervention over toxic smoke from illegal tyre burning on state land, with a local doctor reporting increased cases of smoke inhalation and concerns about cancer risk, particularly affecting neighbourhoods like Kuisebmand and Narraville at night. The municipality says its hands are tied because the land is government property, and has appealed to the environment ministry for action.
19 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Mayor Johannes Shimbilinga says the new Walvis Bay council is prioritizing service delivery, road repairs, housing development and waste management over the next five years to address aging infrastructure and growing demand from urban migration. Projects include road rehabilitation through a Road Fund Administration agreement, 233 completed government houses at Green Valley, and procurement of additional waste management vehicles and equipment.
27 February 2026 · New Era →
A fire in a Tutaleni shack in Walvis Bay killed a 20-year-old woman and her 2-year-old niece, and left 14 others homeless. The fire spread to nearby structures despite efforts by residents and the Fire Brigade to contain it; investigations are underway to determine the cause.
12 February 2026 · New Era →
Mayor Johannes Shimbilinga reaffirmed the council's commitment to improving roads, housing, sanitation and community facilities as part of its five-year development agenda. The authority has completed road rehabilitation on 3rd Street and Allen Dean Martin Street, with Railway Street rehabilitation expected to finish by March 2026, and has completed 233 low-cost houses valued at N$37 million under the Green Valley government housing project.
30 January 2026 · New Era →
About 500 learners at High Hope Primary School in Walvis Bay returned to classes after water was reconnected following intervention by Erongo governor Natalia /Goagoses. The school had faced serious sanitation problems that forced learners to cross busy roads to access facilities at an adjacent school, prompting the governor to work with local officials to restore water and address safety concerns.
19 January 2026 · New Era →