Highlights from City Chambers
City Council announced a debt relief programme for eligible residents and businesses, totalling N$524 million during the most recent City Council meeting held last week.The programme offers 100% interest cancellation for pensioners, and 50% interest cancellation for businesses, residential debtors, and other debtors.
The programme starts in 2024, with the exact date and application details to be shared with the public later. Council hopes that this programme will help residents cope with their bills and encourage regular payments.
The debt relief programme comes after the City's debt book rose from N$677 million in 2018 to N$1.2 billion in 2023. In 2018, Council had also granted a debt write-off of N$191 million for pensioners and vulnerable residents. However, the Covid-19 pandemic has worsened the financial situation of many residents, leading to more unpaid bills.
Windhoek Education Fund
Council approved the establishment of the Windhoek Education Fund (WEF) to support needy students in the city. The fund was proposed by Councillor Job Amupanda in April 2022. The fund aims to provide bursaries and loans for educational purposes to students from Windhoek who face challenges in accessing education opportunities. The fund also contributes to the social well-being of the local community.
The fund's seed capital was raised through voluntary contributions from councillors and employees of the municipal council, as requested by the former mayor Job Amupanda in a memorandum dated 20 September 2021. City employees can still donate to the WEF by signing up for voluntary monthly payroll deductions. The deductions range from N$100 to N$500 per month. The Department of Finance and Customer Services has created a budget vote for the WEF, where the monthly donations are deposited.
Land-dispossessed communities
Council addressed a motion from Councillor Ivan Skrywer at the regular council meeting on 30 November 2023, concerning the rights of the dispossessed communities of Ovaherero, /Khomanin Damara, and Afrikaner Nama, who are the original inhabitants of the land where Windhoek is located.
The motion notes that the /Khomanin Damara community is losing its land and culture due to forced migration and urbanisation. The motion also acknowledges that the German and South African colonial regimes were responsible for displacing these communities from their ancestral lands in and around Otjomuise / /Ae /Gams.
The motion argues that the City of Windhoek should implement transitional justice measures to restore the dignity and rights of these communities, as reclaiming their ancestral lands is not feasible or realistic. The motion proposes that the City of Windhoek council should consult with these communities and purchase a suitable piece of land for them.
Zoo Park
Council resolved to enter into a memorandum of agreement with Innovate Group to work with the private sector to provide financial or technical support for the renovation of the Zoo Park and to take charge of the project coordination.
The Zoo Park has undergone many changes and transformations over time due to environmental, socio-political, and economic factors. However, economic difficulties made it hard to maintain the park, while drought worsened the condition of the park due to water shortage.
One of the challenges that Council faces is the lack of a regular budget to maintain public open parks. Moreover, the income generated by the Zoo Park is not financially viable. The average revenue collected is less than N$15 000 per year, while the current expenses related to security companies to NS12 000 per month, and horticultural maintenance to NS25 700 per month, totalling NS452 400 per annum.
The donation of the renovation of the Zoo Park eases pressure on Council to find funds for this project. The proposal will also relieve Council from the financial implications of the costs associated with limited maintenance and security cost for 10 years as per the agreement.
With an upgrade of this scale and the proposed improvements, the Zoo Park would not only draw more visitors but also improve the visitor's experience while contributing to socio-economic vibrancy in the central business district.
Waste buy-back
The City of Windhoek’s Solid Waste Management Division launched a pilot project to build and operate Waste Buy-Back Centres (BBCs) in two locations in Katutura: Erf 10713, at the corner of Hans-Dietrich Genscher and Bondel Streets, and Erf 3451, Frankfurt Street opposite Mamadu Kindergarten.
Waste Buy-Back Centres are facilities that purchase, sort and resell different kinds of recyclable materials such as paper, cans, bottles, and plastic. This project aims to reduce waste and promote recycling in the city for the next five years.
Waste Buy-Back Centres create opportunities for local Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to grow in the recycling industry and provide formal and informal jobs for the unemployed.
The department is currently engaging retail businesses and supermarkets such as Pick n Pay, Woermann Brock, Spar and Checkers for contractual agreements to issue coupons to recyclers The recyclers will be able to use the coupons to purchase food items only, not drinks, at any of the participating stores after they sell their recyclable materials.
Street renaming
Council approved the renaming of Johann Albrecht Street to Dr Justus //Garoeb Street in honour of Gaob Justus /Urehe //Garoeb. A public participation process will be undertaken to inform the public and particularly the property owners along the affected street about the decision taken.
Farewell
Former Windhoek mayor Joseph Uapingene bade farewell during the meeting, while inviting residents to join him on Friday (8 December 2023) at 19:00 at the Zoo Park for the annual switching on of Christmas lights.
This event marks the official start of the holiday season for residents. He also invited the residents to attend the Christmas Market that takes place this weekend at the Zoo Park, along Independence Avenue, followed by the Carols by Candlelight on Sunday at 20:00.
Finally, the mayor urged all residents to continue to use water sparingly and save wherever possible, as the city faces a water scarcity situation.