Mayor addresses City challenges
The City of Windhoek conducted its first Local Stakeholders Engagement Workshop on Waste Management in August.The workshop is part of the EU-funded “Improving Solid Waste Management in Windhoek” project which is being implemented under the framework of the Windhoek-Bremen sister cities partnership.
“The workshop brought together public and private sector experts to explore opportunities in the transformation of waste into business and job opportunities. The partnership places emphasis on circular economy and empowerment of communities,” Windhoek mayor Queen Kamati said at the most recent ordinary council meeting last week.
She said that this year the City’s engagement with stakeholders in Waste Management started on 1 June 2024, when she launched the Mayoral Clean-Up Campaign in the Tobias Hainyeko Constituency under adopted slogan My Waste, My Responsibility.
“The aim is to engage and educate residents at community level to change their behaviour and take full responsibility for the waste they generate in their households and businesses.”
She added that in light of this, she conducted various site visits to several trading locations to assess the level of cleanliness at open markets. “During these visits, I observed that we are failing to maintain cleanliness at some of the areas. Some of our traders have encroached upon roadways, and some have taken over parking areas and are operating unhygienic spaces.”
She called on traders to take the responsibility for maintaining clean trading environments. “We will continue to engage our informal traders to discuss issues of mutual concerns and benefits. In response to various challenges, the City will expedite the implementation of the recently approved Market Development Masterplan with the aim to alleviate market congestion and provide structured trading spaces in Windhoek,” Kamati said.
Crime prevention
The mayor said that the municipality has made progress in the installation of advanced surveillance systems featuring motion detection and flexible camera controls. These systems cover key hotspots, including Groot Aub and are managed from the City Police CCTV Command Centre for precise monitoring.
During a joint City Police and Namibian Police Force operation in August, Kamati familiarised herself with these technologies, which will impact crime prevention efforts. “I invite our residents to work with us to stamp out crime in Windhoek. Report criminal activities to the City Police or the Namibian Police, and do not get involved in unlawful acts under any circumstances.”
Basic services
Kamati said that in the past five years, council has supplied electricity to about 4 000 households in Windhoek's informal settlements, adding that as part of council’s electrification projects, a list of crime hotspots in informal settlements has been identified with the aim of installing high mast lights to enhance residents safety and security.
“Four high mast lights were already been installed as part of this endeavour in June and we plan to install 15 more during the current financial year.”
Project activities on the provision of electricity to the neighbourhoods of Okatunda, Okuryangava, Kilimanjaro, Havana Extensions 1, 2, and 3, and Okahandja Park, amongst others, is ongoing.
Kamati said that the provision of electricity to informal settlements has not been without challenges. “Residents are required to sign lease agreements with the City to allow for the orderly development of their neighbourhoods, including the provision of electricity. However, it has come to our attention that some of our residents are unwilling to enter into these lease agreements with council, leading to obstruction and delays in the completion of electrification projects.”
Finally, she thanked everyone that contributed to the Mayoral Winter Drive. “We donated 503 winter jerseys valued at N$55 000 to various schools around the city. With the help of our partners and staff members from the Department of Urban and Transport Planning, and from the External Relations and Networking Division, we could again reach out to young learners to stay warm and to remain focused during lessons.”