Rehoboth pushes for land approvals
Rehoboth Town Council has urged the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development to expedite the proclamation of new townships, warning that prolonged delays are hindering land delivery and slowing the town's development.
Mayor of Rehoboth Jacky ≠Khariseb, recently met with the Minister of Urban and Rural Development, James Sankwasa, to discuss the lengthy approval process for township proclamations. Speaking during a recent council meeting, the mayor said some applications have remained outstanding for more than four years, preventing the council from making serviced land available to residents.
"We went to the minister to raise our concerns about why the proclamation process is taking so long, particularly in relation to Burgershoek and Vollsblaak. We want to provide land to residents, but the Urban and Regional Planning Board's approval process is delaying delivery," ≠Khariseb said. According to the mayor, the meeting focused on advancing Rehoboth's development agenda and securing greater support from central government.
He also expressed concern over what it described as an inadequate budget allocation of N$500,000, arguing that the town's size and strategic importance warrant increased government investment. "We also raised the issue of our appropriation and made it clear that Rehoboth deserves funding that reflects its status as the largest town south of Windhoek," he said. While details of the discussions with the minister will be shared at a later stage, the mayor described the engagement as productive and expressed optimism that government had taken note of the council's concerns.
The mayor further appealed to residents to present a united front in support of the town's development ambitions. "When we represent Rehoboth, we must promote a positive image of our town. Every community has its differences, but what defines us is how we resolve them. Unity strengthens our case when engaging central government for the resources and support our town deserves."
The council hopes that accelerating township proclamations will unlock new residential developments, improve land availability and support economic growth in Rehoboth.
