The Municipality of Walvis Bay has embarked on a comprehensive review of its current Strategic Plan (July 2021 – June 2026), marking the start of drafting a new framework that will guide the town’s development priorities over the next five years.
The review process, currently underway in Gross Barmen, forms part of a three-day strategic retreat involving Council and management.
The retreat is aimed at assessing progress made during the current planning cycle while identifying areas that require improvement. This marks the tenth such strategic retreat since the reintegration of Walvis ay, reflecting the Municipality’s continued commitment to structured planning an performance evaluation. According to the Municipality, the exercise is not only a reflection on past performance but also the beginning of a forward-looking strategy focused on strengthening service delivery, accountability, and sustainable development. This retreat is expected to produce an initial draft to the new Strategic Plan, with key focus areas including financial sustainability, improved stakeholder relations, enhanced performance monitoring, and the development of clear Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) with measurable targets.
In addition, the Municipality is prioritising alignment with national frameworks such as the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6) and the Strategic Plan of the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development. Long-term planning tools, including the Walvis Bay Urban Structure Plan extending to 2042, are also being incorporated to ensure development remains inclusive and responsive to future needs. Expert input during the first day of the retreat was provided by Boniface Mutumba, who emphasised the importance of governance, compliance, and strong performance monitoring systems. Ernst Simon also contributed, highlighting the role of spatial planning and sustainable infrastructure development in shaping the town’s future. While the current phase focuses on drafting the Strategic Plan, the Municipality has indicated that stakeholder consultations will follow, with dates to be announced to ensure broad and inclusive participation.
The Municipality aims to emerge from the process with a clear and adaptable Strategic Plan that prioritises service delivery, strengthens public trust, and delivers measurable impact. The final plan will also be designed to be easily communicated to residents, reinforcing transparency and accountability. Officials reaffirmed the Municipality’s commitment to continuous improvement and to delivering efficient, effective, and people-centred services to the Walvis Bay community.
By Eileen van der Schyff
