Martin Endjala
Windhoek local authority councillor, Ivan Skrywer has called for a collaborative national approach to address the escalating urban migration and influx of people to Windhoek.
He told the Windhoek Observer on Tuesday that the growing population of the city is no longer an issue the municipality can handle alone.
According to the 2023 preliminary population and housing census, the Khomas region’s population has grown to 494 000, marking an urban population increase of 65% between 2011 and 2025.
Windhoek’s estimated annual population growth rate is about 4%, adding pressure to the city’s already strained resources.
“There’s a big elephant in the room. We can no longer shy away from this topic. Urban migration and influx into Windhoek is reaching a crisis point; it can’t be a City of Windhoek problem alone anymore,” he said.
He proposed that parastatals such as NamPower and NamWater should assist by writing off regional debts to encourage rural business development and reduce migration to urban areas.
“Everybody else writes off debts, but these two must always get their way? Towns and village councils are being harassed with disconnections. In the regions where unemployment is skyrocketing, councils are forced to pressurise our people in order to pay Nampower and Namwater, forcing our people to run to Windhoek in search of jobs and better living conditions,” he said.
He also suggested integrating NamWater into the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Forestry to improve efficiency and reduce costs, noting that the regions are economically stagnant.
“The regions are economically dead, and it’s not sustainable for everyone to be forced to migrate to urban areas,” he noted.
Skrywer highlighted the need for agrarian reform, urging the government to subsidise programs that promote rural development.
He warned that the informal settlements in Windhoek are expanding much faster than formal areas, creating a long-term sustainability challenge.
City of Windhoek communications manager Harold Akwenye said the growing population in Windhoek presents both opportunities and challenges.
“We agree that a collaborative effort across all sectors is essential to address the demands this growth places on municipal resources,” he noted.
He said the influx has placed increased pressure on key municipal services, including housing, water, electricity, waste management, and public transport.
Akwenye said the municipality continues to adapt and work out strategies to meet these demands and ensure sustainable service delivery for all residents.
