Concerns mount as City struggles to keep pace with rapid growth
• Only eight of 60 houses completed in 2022/23
Approximately 12 000 people move to Windhoek every year, placing 'immense pressure' on the city's infrastructure, CEO Moses Matyayi said.
Alarming statistics have emerged that underscore the City of Windhoek’s struggle to meet the needs of its rapidly expanding population.
According to the municipal council's annual performance report for the 2022/23 financial year, the City fell significantly short of its construction targets, managing to complete only eight of the 60 planned houses. This shortfall comes amid a population surge that has seen Windhoek grow exponentially in recent years.
Cirrus Capital estimates that about 486 000 people now call Windhoek home, a figure that highlights the city's status as a magnet for internal migration.
Immense pressure
At a recent event on the City's strategic plans and annual performance, CEO Moses Matyayi highlighted the daunting challenge posed by this rapid growth. "In terms of the nation, we have statistically been growing at a rate of 1.6%, but as a region, [Khomas has] been growing at 6% since independence," Matyayi explained.
"The urban centre has been growing at a rate of 3.4%. Our growth surpasses the national average, driven by a steady influx of people relocating primarily from northern Namibia."
He emphasised that this influx places immense pressure on the city's infrastructure. "Approximately 12 000 residents move to Windhoek annually, exacerbating demands for essential services such as land, roads and infrastructure. Meeting this demand means we should ideally be scaling our service delivery by 12 000-fold. It's a monumental challenge for our infrastructure."
Notable achievements
Meanwhile, the report revealed significant shortcomings in service delivery. Of 706 erven slated for servicing, only 88 were completed last year. However, there were notable achievements in the informal settlement housing sector, where the City managed to construct 240 out of a targeted 300 houses under the affordable housing programme, supported by the urban and rural development ministry.
Despite these efforts, over 30% of Windhoek's residents still live in informal settlements, reflecting ongoing challenges in providing adequate housing and services.
Financially, the City reported revenue of N$5 billion for the last financial year, with 88 000 residents contributing to this income stream. In addition to property taxes and other fees, the City generates revenue from essential services such as water and electricity. The sale of water alone accounts for 11% of the City's revenue, while electricity sales make up 38% of total revenue.
According to the municipal council's annual performance report for the 2022/23 financial year, the City fell significantly short of its construction targets, managing to complete only eight of the 60 planned houses. This shortfall comes amid a population surge that has seen Windhoek grow exponentially in recent years.
Cirrus Capital estimates that about 486 000 people now call Windhoek home, a figure that highlights the city's status as a magnet for internal migration.
Immense pressure
At a recent event on the City's strategic plans and annual performance, CEO Moses Matyayi highlighted the daunting challenge posed by this rapid growth. "In terms of the nation, we have statistically been growing at a rate of 1.6%, but as a region, [Khomas has] been growing at 6% since independence," Matyayi explained.
"The urban centre has been growing at a rate of 3.4%. Our growth surpasses the national average, driven by a steady influx of people relocating primarily from northern Namibia."
He emphasised that this influx places immense pressure on the city's infrastructure. "Approximately 12 000 residents move to Windhoek annually, exacerbating demands for essential services such as land, roads and infrastructure. Meeting this demand means we should ideally be scaling our service delivery by 12 000-fold. It's a monumental challenge for our infrastructure."
Notable achievements
Meanwhile, the report revealed significant shortcomings in service delivery. Of 706 erven slated for servicing, only 88 were completed last year. However, there were notable achievements in the informal settlement housing sector, where the City managed to construct 240 out of a targeted 300 houses under the affordable housing programme, supported by the urban and rural development ministry.
Despite these efforts, over 30% of Windhoek's residents still live in informal settlements, reflecting ongoing challenges in providing adequate housing and services.
Financially, the City reported revenue of N$5 billion for the last financial year, with 88 000 residents contributing to this income stream. In addition to property taxes and other fees, the City generates revenue from essential services such as water and electricity. The sale of water alone accounts for 11% of the City's revenue, while electricity sales make up 38% of total revenue.
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