By: Mathias Hangala
The Namibia National Mayors Forum (NNMF) has been tasked with addressing pressing challenges such as rapid urbanisation, infrastructure deficits, and limited financial resources.
This was revealed by its president, Leonard Hango, during his speech at the Forum’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Windhoek last week.
Hango noted that the Forum continues to serve as a platform for knowledge sharing and joint problem-solving among local authorities.
The gathering convened mayors from across Namibia to deliberate on strategies aimed at strengthening local governance and promoting collaboration between towns and cities.
Namibian towns and the capital city face pressure from population growth as Namibians of working age and economic status move to urban areas for economic factors and other services.
In his opening remarks, Hango commended the collective efforts made to enhance local leadership and cooperation, stressing the importance of unity in tackling shared challenges.
He highlighted the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the NNMF, the Association of Local Authorities in Namibia (ALAN), and the Namibia Association of Local Authority Officials (NALAO).
The agreement aims to establish a unified local authority umbrella association to improve coordination and policy alignment among local government bodies.
Hango urged mayors to continue leading with vision and integrity to ensure sustainable development and prosperity for their communities — and for Namibia as a whole.
Rapid rural-to-urban migration remains one of the major challenges facing towns and cities.
It is estimated that about 120 people move to Windhoek every day in search of better opportunities. While the migration can expand Windhoek’s market base, it also places pressure on urban infrastructure and services.
Several municipalities struggle with unplanned settlements, land grabbing, inadequate housing, and overloaded sewerage systems. This often results in infrastructure damage and the flow of contaminated water through streets — conditions that can lead to outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as Hepatitis E.
The government implemented a decentralisation policy intended to stimulate regional development and encourage residents to remain in their communities. However, it has not yet managed to decentralise economic activities, with critics arguing that urbanisation has outpaced development.
Also speaking at the event, City of Windhoek (CoW) chief executive officer and NALAO President, Moses Matyayi, reminded mayors of their pivotal role in improving residents’ daily lives.
“As council members, you don’t only deal with governance issues; you deal with bread-and-butter issues. You are the conduit of what makes residents happy,” he mentioned.
Matyayi noted that Namibia’s 57 local authorities collectively serve about 1.5 million people, emphasising that the country’s overall development depends on effective and accountable local governance.
The AGM continued with deliberations focused on strengthening collaboration, addressing urban development challenges, and enhancing the overall effectiveness of local authorities across Namibia.
The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development (MURD), which oversees regional and local governance, plays a role in Namibia’s decentralisation process. This is by channelling funds to local authorities in support of capital projects.
However, concerns have been raised that revenues from rates, taxes, and asset disposals are often channelled to cover operational costs.
