Despite the 18th edition of the Lüderitz Annual Crayfish Festival proceeding without disruptions, tensions have emerged between the local town council and the festival's board of trustees.
At the centre of the issue is the fishing quota allocated by the government to fund the festival in 2023.
The mayor of the town, Phillip Balhao, was the first to fire a salvo, revealing in a Facebook post that the festival's board chairperson, Clive !Gawanab, had sidelined him from all activities related to the popular festival.
Balhao attributed the council’s decision to withhold quota funds to his removal from all festival programmes, which started on Tuesday and continues until Saturday.
The mayor said the board’s failure to provide proper justification and financial accountability for funds spent on previous festivals resulted in their withholding.
He disclosed that a long-standing private dispute between the parties has escalated, leading to its public exposure.
Balhao said three councillors are being threatened with legal action by the board of trustees, noting that the council has also sought legal advice in its quest to resolve the matter.
The board of trustees insisted it had fully complied with financial accountability requirements for funds spent on previous festivals.
They said the council failed to offer a legal basis for withholding the funds, only noting it is seeking a legal opinion.
The board said a meeting held three weeks ago urged the council to distinguish between administrative concerns and the immediate need to deliver a successful and inclusive festival.
This call, the board stated, was made with the understanding that the festival would proceed as planned and that outstanding concerns would be discussed afterwards.
However, the board admits that the matter remains unresolved, citing the boycott of a follow-up council meeting, where this was to be adopted, by key councillors.
The withholding of funds, the board said, has placed the festival in an extraordinary financial position, forcing it to secure funding through credit facilities to ensure it takes place.
The board of trustees also expressed concern that certain councillors, particularly the mayor, promote the festival while simultaneously participating in a governing body that is withholding its funding.
Despite these challenges, the board affirmed its commitment to constructive dialogue and urged all political stakeholders to refrain from further public misrepresentation and to support the smooth and peaceful delivery of the festival.