Windhoek rewards clean-skip community heroes
The City of Windhoek’s solid waste management division has marked a major milestone in its cleanliness drive with an award ceremony for the 2025 Clean Skip Competition.
The initiative, part of the Mayoral Clean City Initiative and supported by the European Union and the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, relies on active community participation to promote sustainable waste management.
At the heart of the celebration were the voluntary community committees that maintained 32 skip sites, transforming previously neglected areas into clean and orderly spaces.
The main prize of N$12 000 was awarded to the Havana Four Way committee. Its leader, Joseph Nelenge, reaffirmed the group’s commitment: “We keep our sites clean so that Windhoek can once again become the cleanest city in Africa.”
Private-sector support was also recognised. Ohlthaver & List Group, Plastic Packaging and Shoprite sponsored the prizes for the three winning committees. Rowan Swartz, representing Plastic Packaging, underscored the company’s commitment to recycling and environmental awareness. The sponsors received certificates of appreciation from the City.
With the pilot project proving highly effective, it will be expanded in 2026. The city administration sees this as a step towards a lasting culture of cleanliness, driven by responsibility, community spirit and the engagement of Windhoek’s residents.
Working together
The City's solid waste management division launched the Clean Skip Containers Competition as a community-driven campaign aimed at promoting cleanliness, improving waste disposal practices and encouraging residents to take ownership of their environment.
Rolled out in October, the competition targeted seven north-western suburbs, including Katutura Central, Khomasdal and Samora Machel. Initially planned for 21 high-priority skip sites, strong community interest pushed participation to roughly 30 skips. Participation was voluntary and required at least five monitoring members per skip.
These community volunteers are responsible for keeping the skip areas clean and litter-free, ensuring only appropriate waste is deposited and discouraging illegal dumping. All participants sign an indemnity form, underscoring the voluntary nature of the effort.
The top three teams were awarded prizes valued at N$12 000, N$7 000 and N$4 000, respectively.
The initiative, part of the Mayoral Clean City Initiative and supported by the European Union and the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, relies on active community participation to promote sustainable waste management.
At the heart of the celebration were the voluntary community committees that maintained 32 skip sites, transforming previously neglected areas into clean and orderly spaces.
The main prize of N$12 000 was awarded to the Havana Four Way committee. Its leader, Joseph Nelenge, reaffirmed the group’s commitment: “We keep our sites clean so that Windhoek can once again become the cleanest city in Africa.”
Private-sector support was also recognised. Ohlthaver & List Group, Plastic Packaging and Shoprite sponsored the prizes for the three winning committees. Rowan Swartz, representing Plastic Packaging, underscored the company’s commitment to recycling and environmental awareness. The sponsors received certificates of appreciation from the City.
With the pilot project proving highly effective, it will be expanded in 2026. The city administration sees this as a step towards a lasting culture of cleanliness, driven by responsibility, community spirit and the engagement of Windhoek’s residents.
Working together
The City's solid waste management division launched the Clean Skip Containers Competition as a community-driven campaign aimed at promoting cleanliness, improving waste disposal practices and encouraging residents to take ownership of their environment.
Rolled out in October, the competition targeted seven north-western suburbs, including Katutura Central, Khomasdal and Samora Machel. Initially planned for 21 high-priority skip sites, strong community interest pushed participation to roughly 30 skips. Participation was voluntary and required at least five monitoring members per skip.
These community volunteers are responsible for keeping the skip areas clean and litter-free, ensuring only appropriate waste is deposited and discouraging illegal dumping. All participants sign an indemnity form, underscoring the voluntary nature of the effort.
The top three teams were awarded prizes valued at N$12 000, N$7 000 and N$4 000, respectively.
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