City of Windhoek and Urban Ministry Align on Housing and Infrastructure Priorities. In a bid to strengthen cooperation and address critical urban development challenges, the City of Windhoek delegation, led by Mayor Cllr Ndeshihafela Larandja, held a high-level engagement with the Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Hon. Sankwasa James Sankwasa, on Tuesday.
The meeting, also attended by Khomas Regional Governor Hon. Sam Safishuna Nujoma, followed an earlier courtesy call by Mayor Larandja to congratulate the Minister on his recent appointment. Discussions focused on development priorities such as affordable housing, infrastructure expansion, and sustainable funding models for local authorities.
Mayor Larandja outlined key concerns, including the city’s housing backlog, the need to formalize informal settlements, and the urgency of completing mass housing projects. She also stressed the importance of collaborative efforts between the ministry, regional leadership, and the city council.
Representing the City’s CEO, Strategic Executive for Finance Jennifer Comalie emphasized the importance of stable, long-term funding. “Windhoek generates a substantial share of national revenue but receives inconsistent funding, which hampers planning and service delivery,” she said.
Minister Sankwasa, who has been tasked with delivering 10,000 housing units countrywide by March 2026, announced that 1,500 of those homes have been earmarked for Windhoek. He called on city councillors to prioritize accountability and collaboration, regardless of political lines, and confirmed plans to allocate existing mass housing units by May 2025.