By: Mathias Hangala
The City of Windhoek (CoW), through its Solid Waste Management Division, has launched the Clean Skip Containers Competition, a community-driven campaign aimed at promoting cleanliness, encouraging responsible waste disposal, and empowering residents to take ownership of their surroundings.
The initiative, which kicked off last week, targets seven north-western suburbs, including Katutura Central, Khomasdal, and Samora Machel. Initially planned for 21 skips, the project has since grown to nearly 30 participating skips following strong community interest.
Participation in the competition is voluntary, with each skip monitored by at least five community members. These volunteers are tasked with maintaining clean, litter-free areas, ensuring only appropriate waste is disposed of, and discouraging illegal dumping. All participants sign indemnity forms acknowledging the voluntary nature of their involvement.
Windhoek, which was once said to be Africa’s cleanest city, has since lost this title around 2015-2016 to Kigali, Rwanda. The loss served as a wake-up call for the city, underlining the need to renew efforts in waste management, strengthen community involvement, and promote sustainable urban cleanliness initiatives, such as encouraging recycling and creating income-generating opportunities for those committed to the cause.
During a familiarisation tour on Monday, Windhoek mayor Ndeshihafela Larandja visited several participating sites to observe progress and raise awareness about the campaign.
“All these initiatives are aimed at improving the cleanliness of the City of Windhoek and helping us reclaim our title as the cleanest city in Africa,” she said. “Everyone must apply the motto: ‘My waste, my responsibility,’” she noted.
The cleanest skips will be awarded prizes, with the top three groups receiving shopping vouchers worth N$12,000, N$7,000, and N$4,000, respectively. The prizes will be shared equally among committee members, and all teams will receive recognition for their efforts.
Larandja also appealed to the business community and willing donors to provide sponsorships to help sustain and expand the project.
COMMUNITY REACTIONS
Agapitus Hausiku praised the campaign, noting that it may not only help restore Windhoek’s image as Africa’s cleanest city, but also foster a culture of cleanliness and pride among residents. However, he expressed concern over the Windhoek-Dan Viljoen road, describing it as “an eyesore,” especially near the police roadblock in Otjomuise. He questioned whether the road is still used by tourists or merely as a venue for social events such as weddings.
Similarly, Elmia van der Merwe applauded the initiative but urged the city to add more skip containers, particularly on the C28 road where, according to her, existing skips are often filled to capacity.
Another resident, Sambiso Rumsfeld, recalled that in earlier years, skips were maintained by nearby residents, saying, “Back then, the skips were well-managed and regularly cleaned.”
Skip containers are large metal bins designated for solid waste. However, in several townships, waste is often dumped around the skips or burned (posing a health hazard due to smoke inhalation) once containers are full. The CoW has in the past urged residents to report full skips via its customer care centre for them to be emptied promptly.
