City of Windhoek Engages Shebeen Owners Amid Ongoing Survey and Policy Review

City of Windhoek Engages Shebeen Owners Amid Ongoing Survey and Policy Review. The City of Windhoek has hosted a stakeholder engagement session with representatives from the Namibia Informal Sector Organisation and the Shebeen Organization to provide updates on the city’s ongoing shebeen survey and to gather input from affected operators and community voices.

The meeting addressed growing concerns from some shebeen owners who feared the survey’s outcomes might lead to the closure of their establishments. City officials reassured attendees that the survey’s primary purpose is to guide the development of a comprehensive land-use database and to inform a review of the current Shebeen Regulation Policy, last updated in 2002.

According to the City’s Urban Policy Division, the revised policy will aim to reflect the realities of both informal business operators and surrounding residential communities. Officials stressed that the City remains committed to an inclusive, data-driven approach that balances economic opportunity with safe and orderly urban development.

The survey, conducted in collaboration with the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), focuses on shebeens operating in residential areas. Data collected includes demographic profiles, economic contributions, public safety concerns, environmental impact, infrastructure limitations, and issues around compliance and enforcement.

Survey work has been completed in areas including Cimbebasia, Dorado Park, Rockycrest, and Khomasdal. The next phase will expand into Katutura Central, Havana, and other residential areas across Windhoek.

City officials have called for continued cooperation from shebeen operators and residents alike. Their participation is essential in ensuring that the revised policy is rooted in fairness, evidence, and a shared vision for sustainable urban development.