Mayor Calls for United Effort to Address Waste Challenges in Windhoek. In a proactive step toward addressing growing concerns about inconsistent skip container servicing across Windhoek, Mayor Ndeshihafela Larandja met with the City’s Solid Waste Management Operations & Fleet Division to gain firsthand insight into the challenges affecting waste collection.
During the engagement, officials highlighted several operational issues. Skip containers—originally introduced in 2002 for garden and rubble waste—are now frequently misused for general household and even hazardous medical waste. This misuse has led to persistent overflows, posing potential health risks. Additional hurdles include a limited workforce for public education and an aging, unreliable fleet of waste collection vehicles prone to breakdowns, making regular service delivery difficult.
The Mayor acknowledged the seriousness of the issue, stressing that sustainable solutions require collaboration beyond the municipal level. “Windhoek is our capital, and we all share the responsibility of keeping it clean. Reclaiming our status as the cleanest city in Africa will require a united and coordinated effort,” she said.
Mayor Larandja emphasized the need for national support while also calling for stronger internal coordination, improved community engagement, and intensified public education on proper waste disposal. She noted that low-cost efforts—like targeted awareness campaigns—can have a substantial impact.
Transparency was another key point. The Mayor urged open communication with residents to help manage expectations and prevent misconceptions. “Without public understanding of the challenges we face, there’s a risk that hard-working city teams are seen as inactive or negligent when the reality is quite different,” she added.
The City of Windhoek reaffirms its commitment to restoring the capital’s cleanliness and calls on all residents, institutions, and stakeholders to play their part in building a cleaner, healthier urban environment.