Ikali challenges 10-year lease amid service delivery concerns
Windhoek councillor Jesaya Ikali has questioned the proposed 10-year lease of institutional land to a church in Okuryangava, saying the city should first address pressing service delivery needs and the growing demand for land for housing.
The debate over the proposed lease has highlighted the tension between the need for residential land and the need to reserve space for institutions and other community needs. Councillor Jesaya Ikali objected to the proposed 10-year lease, questioning whether the city should first prioritise pressing service delivery needs. He said the lease, at N$4,200 a month, would amount to about N$504,000 over 10 years. Ikali said residents were demanding better access to water and electricity, while also raising concerns about dirty streets, overflowing skip containers and broken municipal equipment. He questioned why the city could not exhaust all other options to address these needs before leasing the land to a church for 10 years.
However, other councillors defended the proposal, arguing that churches form part of the communities they serve and play an important role in supporting residents. City officials explained that the land is zoned for institutional use and that church operations are among the primary uses permitted on the site.
The debate also raised questions about the length of the proposed lease. Some councillors argued that 10 years was too long and suggested a shorter period, while others said a longer lease would give the church enough time to invest in the site and secure funding for construction.
The discussion reflects the wider challenge facing the city of balancing demand for housing land with the need to provide space for institutions and other services that support communities.
