Frustration in Okahandja

Okahandja (aa) – Frustration is growing among the residents of Okahandja. They complain that since Mayor Ileni Mutumbulwa took office on 12 December 2025, there has been no progress in resolving the community’s pressing problems such as the state of the town's roads, harzadous dumping sites and and overflowing sewage systems. Network Media Hub visited several informal settlements in the town, where residents expressed their deep disappointment at the mayor’s lack of leadership and communication. 

Residents complain that no community meetings have been held, particularly in informal settlements where living conditions remain dire. They say they have been offered no platform to engage with the mayor or raise their concerns. Social commentator Jakob Naomab also highlighted persistent shortcomings in public services on social media – including deteriorating road conditions with potholes, blocked and overflowing sewage systems, persistent foul odours in residential areas, and non-functioning street lighting, which exposes communities to danger at night.

 These are not new problems, but they are problems you have committed to solving,” he emphasised. “Leadership is not a title, but a responsibility. Silence and inaction in the face of these challenges are unacceptable.” Residents stress that problems such as rubbish accumulation, sewage leaks and the deterioration of infrastructure have worsened in recent years. Promises such as waiving water bills for pensioners have not been kept, whereas this has certainly happened in other towns.

NMH’s efforts to gain access to the mayor’s calendar of events proved just as unsuccessful as attempts to contact the mayor herself. Enquiries to the city administration regarding the mayor’s planned engagements or initiatives for public participation remained unanswered.