Windhoek debt drops to N$972 million
Larandja touts informal settlement service delivery gains
The City of Windhoek\'s debtor balances fell to N$972 million earlier this year, down from a peak of N$1.2 billion in 2022 and 2023.
This was revealed by mayor Ndeshihafela Larandja during a Moses //Garoëb constituency community meeting at Epandulo Open Space on Saturday.
She said improved debt recovery had strengthened cash flow and reduced financial risk.
Between June 2020 and June 2024, municipal assets remained stable at around N$18-N$20 billion, while current assets grew from N$201 million to N$1.9 billion, Larandja noted.
Liabilities rose to N$3.2 billion, but Larandja said the municipality had “maintained positive net assets, indicating solid overall financial health and the ability to meet future obligations”.
The mayor also acknowledged that the municipality had faced difficulties earlier in its term.
“When the current council came into office from 2021 to 2023, the municipality of Windhoek faced dire financial deficits, with the largest deficit of N$663 million in 2022,” she said.
“In 2024 and 2025, financial reforms led to surpluses of N$47 million and N$32 million, respectively. This improvement reflects stronger financial management and efforts to use resources more efficiently.”
Mapping homes
Larandja also reported progress in mapping and digitising informal settlements, describing the initiative as a way to create a reliable database indicating the location, structure size and occupancy of informal dwellings, improve emergency responses, and resolve land disputes.
In addition, the City has issued 6063 certificates of recognition of land occupation in Moses //Garoëb, recorded 16 572 structures and conducted 11 342 socio-economic surveys.
The certificates, which do not confer land ownership, provide residents with proof of address for services such as banking, loans and education.
Larandja urged residents to follow proper procedures for extensions and renovations, with monitoring overseen by the City Police and the land invasion prevention team.
Essential services
Regarding water supply to informal settlements, she said 47 additional communal standpipes had been installed in the constituency since 2019, at a cost exceeding N$1.7 million, bringing the total to 347.
In sanitation, 29 communal toilets were added to the 310 already in place, with investment exceeding N$1.1 million.
Designs for new sanitation hubs have been completed, including six toilets planned at Oohamba Dha Nehale Erf 137, pending technical assessments.
Larandja appealed to community leaders to ensure residents keep access routes clear for construction and service vehicles.
Turning to electricity, Larandja reported that over 7 000 zinc houses had been connected to the grid since 2017/18, benefiting more than 35 000 residents.
“While progress is evident, we acknowledge that this is not enough, and we are committed to accelerating access across all constituencies,” she vowed.
In Moses //Garoëb, 2 224 structures have been identified for connection in the next phase of the universal access project.
This was revealed by mayor Ndeshihafela Larandja during a Moses //Garoëb constituency community meeting at Epandulo Open Space on Saturday.
She said improved debt recovery had strengthened cash flow and reduced financial risk.
Between June 2020 and June 2024, municipal assets remained stable at around N$18-N$20 billion, while current assets grew from N$201 million to N$1.9 billion, Larandja noted.
Liabilities rose to N$3.2 billion, but Larandja said the municipality had “maintained positive net assets, indicating solid overall financial health and the ability to meet future obligations”.
The mayor also acknowledged that the municipality had faced difficulties earlier in its term.
“When the current council came into office from 2021 to 2023, the municipality of Windhoek faced dire financial deficits, with the largest deficit of N$663 million in 2022,” she said.
“In 2024 and 2025, financial reforms led to surpluses of N$47 million and N$32 million, respectively. This improvement reflects stronger financial management and efforts to use resources more efficiently.”
Mapping homes
Larandja also reported progress in mapping and digitising informal settlements, describing the initiative as a way to create a reliable database indicating the location, structure size and occupancy of informal dwellings, improve emergency responses, and resolve land disputes.
In addition, the City has issued 6063 certificates of recognition of land occupation in Moses //Garoëb, recorded 16 572 structures and conducted 11 342 socio-economic surveys.
The certificates, which do not confer land ownership, provide residents with proof of address for services such as banking, loans and education.
Larandja urged residents to follow proper procedures for extensions and renovations, with monitoring overseen by the City Police and the land invasion prevention team.
Essential services
Regarding water supply to informal settlements, she said 47 additional communal standpipes had been installed in the constituency since 2019, at a cost exceeding N$1.7 million, bringing the total to 347.
In sanitation, 29 communal toilets were added to the 310 already in place, with investment exceeding N$1.1 million.
Designs for new sanitation hubs have been completed, including six toilets planned at Oohamba Dha Nehale Erf 137, pending technical assessments.
Larandja appealed to community leaders to ensure residents keep access routes clear for construction and service vehicles.
Turning to electricity, Larandja reported that over 7 000 zinc houses had been connected to the grid since 2017/18, benefiting more than 35 000 residents.
“While progress is evident, we acknowledge that this is not enough, and we are committed to accelerating access across all constituencies,” she vowed.
In Moses //Garoëb, 2 224 structures have been identified for connection in the next phase of the universal access project.
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