New homes spark joy for 58 Otjomuise families

Fifty-eight families in Otjomuise Extension 10 received long-awaited homes last week, while an additional 300 units in Windhoek are now nearing completion.At the event, government reaffirmed its commitment to accelerate the mass housing development programme. Dr Boniface Mutumba, special advisor to urban and rural development minister Sankwasa James Sankwasa, officiated at the handover ceremony on the minister’s behalf.He urged beneficiaries to ensure the sustainability of the multibillion-dollar programme by meeting their repayment obligations.“I am urging all the current and future beneficiaries to honour their social contracts by paying their monthly instalments,” Mutumba said.He added that the 58 houses form part of 377 completed units in Windhoek, delivered through a combination of direct government contracting and public–private partnerships (PPPs).Increased tempo neededNationally, 4 826 houses have been completed and handed over since the launch of the programme in 2014, though 514 remain unfinished, including 24 in Opuwo, 186 in Swakopmund and 304 in Windhoek.Mutumba acknowledged delays in the capital’s 362-unit project, saying its completion is “long overdue”, adding that progress is finally visible. He also revealed that a long-standing legal dispute that stalled a Swakopmund project was close to resolution. “We are only a few weeks away from signing agreements that will result in the resumption and completion... of these units,” he said.On the PPP component, he said 319 houses had been delivered from a planned 1 709, with 336 currently under construction. Mutumba called on private contractors to “increase their tempo”, stressing that housing demand, especially among low-income households, continues to surge.Waiting comes to an endFor many families, the moment was deeply emotional. Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Geraldine Somaes paid warm tribute to the institutions involved in delivering the homes. “Wow, we are so excited. This event is also very emotional, because the waiting list was very long. We really waited a long time, but now this is our time," she said.She thanked the City of Windhoek and the National Housing Enterprise (NHE), saying the handover marked the beginning of a new chapter for many.Khomas Regional Council chairperson Shaalukeni John Moonde applauded the initiative but issued a stern warning to developers who treat government housing projects as profit mines. “You find some developers... they think they have hit a jackpot,” he said. “We must stop being selfish, especially in Khomas region.”Moonde noted that the region struggles with a high migration rate, which makes housing provision even more challenging.Backbone of demandMutumba emphasised that most Namibians in need of housing earn less than N$10 000 amonth, representing 87.5% of the demand pool.“There is still a huge market of middle-income earners who are in need of proper and affordable housing,” he said, urging banks and the construction industry to innovate around financing and building models.He reminded beneficiaries that government subsidises mass housing development programme houses for low- and ultra-low-income groups by up to 75% of construction costs, reinforcing the need for loan repayment compliance.Mutumba concluded by reaffirming government’s commitment to meeting the national target under NDP6, which calls for 10 000 serviced plots and 10 000 affordable houses annually. “May we continue to pull together and face the challenge of housing in unity and with a common purpose,” he said.

New homes spark joy for 58 Otjomuise families

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Namibian Sun 2026-02-20

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New homes spark joy for 58 Otjomuise families

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Namibian Sun 2026-02-20

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