Nkurenkuru says preacher must buy land

Nkurenkuru Town Council CEO Petrus Sindimba has clarified that the council cannot allocate business land to Reverend Helena Kudumo without her formally applying through the prescribed procedures - including payment for the land - despite a recent appeal from Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare.According to NBC, Ngurare asked the council to explore ways to assist Kudumo, who told him she operates a traditional food business but lacks a proper venue. The prime minister subsequently gave the council until Tuesday to provide feedback to his office regarding possible land allocation.Ngurare argued that individuals providing essential services, such as food, deserve institutional support. However, his appeal has sparked mixed reactions, with critics questioning the legality of land being allocated on the basis of a political directive - particularly given the high number of small and medium enterprise owners in similar situations across the town.Speaking to Namibian Sun yesterday, Sindimba confirmed that the council was in the process of responding to the prime minister’s request but stressed that all applicants must follow established procedures.“The law is clear. Anyone seeking land must apply through the council, and we must obtain ministerial approval,” Sindimba said.He revealed that while Reverend Kudumo had previously applied for - and was allocated - a residential plot two to three years ago, she had not applied for business land.“She never applied for a business plot. Only residential. That’s what we approved and allocated to her,” he said.Addressing speculation that the reverend might be granted land free of charge due to the prime minister’s remarks, Sindimba was firm: “It’s not free. We don’t give out land or rent without payment. Even the prime minister&#039;s request did not imply it would be free - it was simply a call to explore the possibility.”Sindimba also highlighted the public’s frequent misunderstandings regarding land allocation procedures.“There is a process. You submit a form, it goes through council, and we then seek ministerial approval. We encourage anyone interested in serviced land - like what we have at Extension 6 - to approach our office. Infrastructure such as water, roads, sewage, and electricity is already in place.”He added that despite the availability of serviced plots, some residents are reluctant to purchase land, instead expecting free allocations.“Some people claim to want land but have never applied. How can we allocate land without an application?” he asked. “Others refuse land in areas like Kahenge, insisting only on plots within Nkurenkuru, where we currently lack serviced land.”In an interview with NBC on Sunday, Reverend Kudumo shared her challenges, saying she has been juggling multiple roles - pastor, student, teacher, and entrepreneur - while remaining committed to her dream of opening a traditional restaurant.“There are financial challenges in our town,” she said. “Right now, I don’t have a place of my own. My dream is to acquire a business plot and open a traditional food restaurant.”During his Sunday visit to Nkurenkuru, Prime Minister Ngurare praised Kudumo’s entrepreneurial efforts and called on the council to support such community-driven initiatives.“You’re supporting households and creating jobs for the community,” he said. “We support the reverend, and I’d like to see this ‘mungome’ [traditional bread] not only in Nkurenkuru but also sold in Windhoek.”Sindimba reiterated that while the town council remains committed to supporting local enterprise, it must operate within the legal framework.“We are ready to assist,” he said. “But everyone must follow the same process.”

Nkurenkuru says preacher must buy land

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-10

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Nkurenkuru says preacher must buy land

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-10

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