Wanaheda NaTIS and mobile units to ease community access

The Minister of Works and Transport, Veikko Nekundi, has officially broken ground for the construction of the Wanaheda NaTIS Centre this week in Windhoek, a step towards improving access to essential transport services for communities in and around Katutura.

Speaking at the ceremony, Nekundi said the project represents “the turning of a new page in how we deliver services to the people of Namibia,” emphasising government’s commitment to bringing services closer to under-served communities.

The decision to build the centre in Wanaheda follows a surprise visit by the minister to the existing NaTIS facility in the Northern Industrial area in April 2025, where he described conditions as “regrettable”.

“The facility was overwhelmed and this compromised excellent service delivery,” he said. “There was little appreciation for the fact that the facility serves the downtrodden, who endure long walks just to receive basic services.”

The new centre will be a fully-fledged, modern one-stop facility offering learner and driver testing, roadworthy testing for light and heavy vehicles, and a permit office under one roof. It will also incorporate an Intelligent Driver Testing System aimed at improving fairness, consistency and efficiency.

Nekundi further confirmed the introduction of a mobile service initiative, “NaTIS on Wheels”, which will extend services to rural areas.

“The mobile unit will provide over-the-counter NaTIS services to rural communities,” he said. “Each region will receive one unit, ensuring that those who cannot travel long distances still have access to these critical services.”

According to Franzelle de Klerk a Industrial Engineer, each mobile unit will accommodate up to eight learners at a time, allowing approximately 40 learners to be assisted daily, at a cost of about N$4.2 million per mobile station.

Fuel costs

Roads Authority Chief Executive Officer, Mbahupu Hippy Tjivikua, said the project will significantly reduce the burden of travel costs.

“By establishing this centre here in Wanaheda, and within a short distance for many of our people, we are committing to helping curb the burden associated with transportation and fuel costs,” he said.

The construction contract has been awarded to August 26 Construction, in partnership with five small and medium enterprise contractors and emerging businesses.

Nekundi added that the project is expected to create approximately 200 jobs, with a strong emphasis on employing members of the local community first and prioritising local expenditure to stimulate economic activity.

“We do not merely talk about economic inclusion; we must practise it,” the minister said.

The land for the project was made available by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, Inge Zaamwani, a move Nekundi said reflects strong intergovernmental collaboration.

Beyond Wanaheda, government has outlined plans to upgrade NaTIS facilities in towns including Walvis Bay, Oranjemund, Oshakati, Nkurenkuru and Mariental as part of a broader national vision to modernise infrastructure and ensure equitable service delivery.

Nekundi also revealed that upgrades to the NaTIS system are nearing completion, including the rollout of e-booking and e-payment platforms, computerised learner’s licence testing, digital driving licences and intelligent testing systems.