5 000 houses in a year: Nujoma unapologetic about bold promise

Khomas governor Sam Nujoma has defended his ambitious plan to construct 5 000 houses in the region within the current financial year, saying the initiative hinges on leveraging multi-stakeholder partnerships to achieve what analysts have called a near-miraculous target.Despite rising criticism over the government’s decision to initiate new housing projects while over 2 000 mass housing units in Windhoek remain unoccupied, Nujoma described the approach as a multi-pronged response to a crisis that demands urgency and scale.Responding to Namibian Sun, Nujoma acknowledged that the abandoned units are “a concern” but emphasised that the scale of the housing crisis – particularly in informal settlements – requires broader, more immediate interventions.“The unoccupied mass housing units are indeed a concern, and the government, through various key institutions, is actively consulting and working to address this issue by expediting the servicing and allocation of those units,” he explained.“However, the scale and urgency of the housing crisis, especially in the informal settlements, require a multi-pronged approach. With nearly 47% of Khomas households residing in impoverished housing units in informal settlements, delivering 5 000 new serviced plots and housing units responds directly to this pressing need," he stressed."The initiative does not replace efforts to utilise the existing stock of structures but rather complements them to ensure a comprehensive solution to urban housing challenges,” Nujoma added.The governor’s pledge has stirred both hope and scepticism, with many questioning the feasibility of the ambitious timeline.Housing plan faces scrutinyThe challenge is clear: the previous government-led mass housing programme delivered 4 380 units over a decade. Meanwhile, the National Housing Enterprise (NHE) has built 18 304 homes in 31 years, from 1993 to 2024. According to 2023 data, approximately 47% of Khomas households – roughly 231 970 people – live in makeshift housing or shacks.Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah told Namibian Sun that the new target is “unrealistic when viewed through the lens of past government performance”. He suggested that success would depend on meaningful community engagement, low-cost construction methods, partnerships with private developers and ensuring affordability for low-income earners.Scepticism has also been expressed by technical experts familiar with the bureaucratic delays that slow down procurement and construction processes.“Servicing one extension, which usually accommodates about 300 houses, takes no less than six months. How will they manage 5 000 within a year?” a technical engineer asked.Former NHE CEO Mike Kavekotora also criticised the plan as overly ambitious and financially risky.“A housing project of such magnitude requires the proclamation and demarcation of land, the servicing of that land and the actual construction of houses,” he said last week. “If poorly planned, it risks becoming a waste of taxpayers’ money.”Historic recordIn response, Nujoma stressed that the initiative is not a government-only project but a collaborative undertaking that will involve various stakeholders.“The implementation plan will leverage multi-stakeholder partnerships, involving the Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, Ministry of Urban and Rural Development, City of Windhoek, Khomas Regional Council, public enterprises and the private sector, including local contractors and community-based organisations,” he said.The governor also addressed one of the most persistent issues associated with past housing projects – a lack of bulk infrastructure.“Indeed, the lack of bulk infrastructure has been a historic bottleneck, one that is directly addressed in this new implementation plan. This year&#039;s roll-out includes the installation of municipal services (water, sewer and electricity) in eleven communities organised through saving groups, with a commitment to scale up to others,” he noted.Nujoma added that infrastructure upgrades such as high-mast lighting and access roads will enhance safety and mobility while ensuring that no housing units will be built without essential services in place.“The implementation plan is service-oriented, meaning no new housing unit will be developed without basic services in place. This integrated approach is a key distinction from our previous housing efforts,” he said.He concluded by highlighting the importance of public engagement and institutional transparency.“From the outset, the office of the governor has convened regular stakeholder consultative meetings, ensuring that every phase of planning and implementation is grounded in collaboration, public engagement and openness. This project is not only about physical development but also about building public trust and institutional responsiveness to ensure that the transformation of informal settlements is inclusive, sustainable and dignified,” he said.

5 000 houses in a year: Nujoma unapologetic about bold promise

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-01

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5 000 houses in a year: Nujoma unapologetic about bold promise

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-01

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