Build 10 000 homes a year - president

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on Friday handed over two prefabricated homes, each valued at N$200 000, in Windhoek’s 8ste Laan in Otjomuise.

Paid for out of her own pocket, Nandi-Ndaitwah said that she commissioned the new homes to demonstrate that “really it can be done”.

The new homeowners, pensioners Menesia Ngunovandu and Kuku Johana Kambwela of the Kilimanjaro settlement, said the homes were a dream come true.

Ngunovandu’s new home stands next to the shack where her children and grandchildren were born. Visibly emotional, she described the occasion as the fulfilment of a long-held prayer for decent shelter.

The president said Namibia's 500 000 housing gap needs to be filled urgently.

“Starting 2025, we must, every year, build 10 000 houses to enable us that in 2030, this eighth administration must have added 50 000 houses in Namibia. Since 2025 I have been monitoring, after we talked and planned, but I must tell you, there is something that we need to work on,” she said.

“Remember, time is a none-renewable resource; when you lose it, you have lost it. I am worried because now I have lost a year and a half,” she said.

“Really, it will be so unfortunate if 2030 comes and I have not delivered 50 000 houses,” she said.

Nandi-Ndaitwah commended Yambuka Housing founder and director Twapewa Kadhikwa for delivering the project on time. Once the foundations were set, the houses were erected within two weeks.

Kadhikwa said there are Namibians who want to work. “Allow us to work, allow us to build industries,” she said.

“Give me an order today, 5 000 houses; we will give them to you,” she added.