| THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026|Issue #14|WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA |
Trivia Question❓Which annual Windhoek street festival, named after a lively German carnival tradition, draws thousands of locals and tourists each year to celebrate Namibian culture, music, and food in the city center? Answer at the bottom of the newsletter |
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Walking through Windhoek's high-density neighbourhoods, the crisis is impossible to ignore - raw sewage pools on open ground, and a sharp stench lingers over unpaved lanes where children play.
Sewer blockages have become a grim daily reality for thousands of residents in areas like Katutura and Otjomuise, where overflow is so common that navigating it has become routine.
The City of Windhoek attributes the crisis to ageing colonial-era infrastructure, rapid population growth, and illegal dumping into sewer lines - with clearing a single blockage costing nearly N$700,000.
With over 200,000 residents in informal settlements pushing systems far beyond capacity, frustration boiled over by October 2025, when Katutura residents reportedly delivered raw sewage directly to municipal offices.
The health stakes are severe - exposure risks include E. coli, Salmonella, hepatitis E, and cholera, hitting children and the elderly hardest.
A 20-year master plan exists, but residents need transparent, real-time accountability - not distant promises. Read More... |
A quiet economic revolution is unfolding across Windhoek's informal settlements, as twenty-five micro-business owners receive seed funding, business training, and mentorship through a community-focused programme.
Selected from over 400 applicants, the beneficiaries are parents and caregivers drawn from the Samora Machel, Moses Garoëb, and Tobias Hainyeko constituencies - areas where unemployment and poverty remain stubborn daily realities.
Their ventures range from poultry farming and kapana trading to tailoring, catering, and event equipment hire - entrepreneurs who aren't waiting for opportunity to find them.
What sets this initiative apart is its integrated vision: strengthening a parent's livelihood is treated as a direct investment in their child's future.
Participants received hands-on training in budgeting, costing, and record-keeping - practical skills built for sustainable growth from the ground up.
Backers believe the impact will ripple outward, lifting not just individual households but entire underserved communities across Windhoek. Read More... |
Windhoek's Mix Settlement is at the centre of a major formalisation drive, as the city works to bring structure and services to one of its fastest-growing peri-urban communities.
Located 20 kilometres north of the capital, the area has grown from around 500 structures in 2008 to roughly 1,600 today - a pace that has consistently outrun planning.
On the electricity front, 267 homes in Mix Extension 1 are fully wired and awaiting switch-on, part of a N$33 million citywide programme targeting 1,298 households across 12 informal settlements.
One sanitation and waste hub is already complete, with two more in the pipeline, while waste collection runs twice weekly.
Residents have also called for a trading market and increased City Police presence - signs of a community ready to grow beyond emergency infrastructure.
With Windhoek hosting 150 of Namibia's 419 informal settlements, full formalisation carries an estimated price tag of N$5.5 billion - but for Mix Settlement residents, the priority remains simpler: getting the lights on. Read More... |
Three elected councillors from Windhoek's city council have formally withdrawn a series of allegations they made against city chief executive Moses Matyayi, signing an unreserved apology acknowledging the claims were never properly verified before being aired publicly. The councillors had previously written to a government minister raising concerns about Matyayi's official overseas travel, including assertions that he had visited Colombia, spent more than two weeks abroad, and that the municipality had spent roughly three hundred thousand Namibian dollars on a trip to a Harvard University programme. Matyayi had dismissed the original allegations as speculative and without evidential basis. The councillors now concede the statements caused reputational harm, embarrassment, and distress to him personally and to the institution he leads. Going forward, all three have committed to refraining from publishing or circulating unverified or damaging claims about him through any channel, including the media and government authorities. |
Real progress is finally underway at Sam Nujoma Stadium in Katutura, as contractors begin phase one of a long-overdue rehabilitation - targeting the structural foundations of Windhoek's most iconic football venue.
Prime Minister Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare has demanded visible results before year's end, making clear the Brave Warriors should no longer be forced to play home matches on foreign soil.
The core problem is stark: Namibia has no stadium currently approved for CAF-sanctioned matches.
The City of Windhoek handed the site to contractor New Success Investment in October 2024, with a cost-sharing deal of roughly N$19.9 million - split between the City and the Namibia Football Association - already approved.
Total refurbishment costs are projected at approximately N$60 million, aimed at meeting both CAF and FIFA standards.
Demolition of open stands is actively progressing, with structural repairs to follow. Independence Stadium is also part of the broader upgrade plan, with a feasibility study already approved.
For the first time in years, the groundwork for real change appears to be literally underfoot. Read More... |
Namibia's unemployment crisis shows no sign of easing, with the latest 2025 figures from the Namibia Statistics Agency placing the broad jobless rate at 36.9% - among the highest in southern Africa.
For young Namibians aged 15 to 34, the situation is far worse, with unemployment nearing 44% - and young women bearing the heaviest load at almost 48%.
When those who have stopped searching are included, the combined youth rate surpasses 61%.
These are not figures of a generation choosing idleness - they reflect an economy failing to grow fast enough for its people.
Yet employers raise real concerns too, pointing less to missing qualifications and more to soft skills - punctuality, adaptability, and resilience - as the qualities hardest to find.
Meanwhile, Namibia's informal economy quietly absorbs over 418,000 workers, mostly in low-wage, insecure roles.
The path forward demands genuine job creation, stronger skills alignment, and accountability on both sides of the employment relationship. Read More... |
A significant policy debate is gaining traction in Windhoek, with Namibia's government actively exploring the prospect of compulsory national service for school leavers.
The cabinet minister responsible for education, youth, and culture confirmed the discussion during the inauguration of the newly appointed National Youth Service (NYS) board - stressing that any shift forward would require thorough consultation and entirely new legislative frameworks.
The conversation couldn't be more timely. Nearly 18,000 young Namibians applied for just 17th intake positions in 2026 - a striking figure that lays bare both the desperate hunger for opportunity and the NYS's strained capacity.
With youth unemployment sitting at nearly 37 percent, the pressure on institutions like the NYS has never been greater.
The service currently offers eleven accredited skills trades, from agriculture to automotive training. The newly appointed board was urged to prioritise equitable access, sound governance, and measurable graduate outcomes - not just recruitment numbers. Read More... |
Namibia is weighing some of the toughest nicotine restrictions on the continent, with a proposed bill that would ban the sale, manufacture, import, and even possession of e-cigarettes, vapes, hookah pipes, and oral nicotine pouches. Penalties under the draft legislation could reach a N$500,000 fine and a decade in prison for commercial violations, with lighter but still significant consequences for personal use. The sweeping draft has drawn pushback from business owners and industry groups, who warned that an outright prohibition on products already widely available could simply push the market underground. Some stakeholders also pointed out an apparent contradiction: banning smokeless products like nicotine pouches while pursuing a smoke-free national environment. A proposed 50-metre no-smoking buffer around public spaces and workplaces raised additional alarm from hospitality and retail sectors worried about practical compliance. A senior health ministry official, however, defended the approach, suggesting that if a product cannot be effectively controlled, banning it outright may be the more prudent path. Written public comments are being accepted as the government weighs its next steps. |
☀️ SUNNY & WARM WEATHER AHEAD |
 Enjoy a beautiful sunny day with temperatures reaching 29°C and a 0% chance of rain. Warm, mostly sunny conditions are expected to continue over the coming days. Perfect weather to get outdoors and make the most of the day! |
Joke Of The Day |
Why did the entrepreneur in Windhoek refuse to write a business plan? Because every time they sat down to finish it, someone invited them to another "networking braai" - and you simply cannot say no to free boerewors and opportunity. |
This newsletter sponsored by |
Nexium Digital |
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This newsletter sponsored by |
Hansen and Hansen |
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Lael Sunday Treats: Homemade Goodness, Made with Love |
There is something special about the taste of homemade baking - the comforting aromas, familiar flavours and the feeling that every bite was made with care. Lael Sunday Treats brings that warmth to life with a delicious range of freshly baked homemade treats, proudly made in Windhoek.
With the heartfelt tagline “Made with love, just for you”, Lael Sunday Treats is all about creating quality baked goods that are perfect for family gatherings, Sunday lunches, special occasions, gifting or simply treating yourself.
Among the tempting offerings is the beautifully crafted Lemoen Ringkoek, a generous homemade orange ring cake priced at N$280, offering a delightful combination of citrus flavour and classic homemade goodness. For those who enjoy a traditional South African favourite, the Semel Beskuit is available at N$50, making it an ideal companion to a morning cup of coffee or tea.
Lael Sunday Treats is also celebrating with an exciting Opening Special. Customers can enjoy four different flavours - Dadel Koek, Appeltert, Peppermint Tart and Malva. The special includes four boxes, one of each flavour, for only N$200. It is a wonderful opportunity to sample a selection of Lael's delicious homemade creations and discover a new favourite.
For something a little more indulgent, the Beetwortel Ringkoek is available for N$450, offering a beautifully decorated take on a classic homemade cake. And for cookie lovers, the 5kg Cookie Bucket, priced at N$350, provides plenty of sweet treats to share - or keep all to yourself!
What makes Lael Sunday Treats stand out is its focus on freshly baked products, thoughtful presentation and the simple joy of homemade food. Every order is baked fresh, with an emphasis on bringing customers something that feels personal, delicious and made especially for them.
Whether you're looking for something sweet for the office, a dessert for the family, treats for a celebration, or a thoughtful homemade gift, Lael Sunday Treats offers something for every occasion.
Support local. Enjoy homemade. And treat yourself to something made with love.
Lael Sunday Treats - Homemade Bakes, made fresh for every order.
WhatsApp/Call: +264 81 222 9012 |
Interesting Facts |
Windhoek punches well above its weight as a business and cultural hub. Here are some facts that might surprise you:
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Bible Quiz Night |
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Join us for a fun and engaging Bible Quiz Night, where your knowledge of scripture will be put to the test! Whether you're a seasoned Bible scholar or just starting your faith journey, this event promises an evening of friendly competition, laughter, and community. Gather your team and get ready to answer questions spanning the Old and New Testaments. It's a wonderful opportunity to connect with others, sharpen your biblical knowledge, and enjoy a memorable night out. Don't miss this uplifting event - a perfect blend of faith, fun, and fellowship for all ages! |
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Run for a Spark |
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Run for a Spark is an exciting running event that brings participants together for a meaningful cause. Whether you're a seasoned runner or just getting started, this event offers a fantastic opportunity to get active and make a difference. Join fellow community members as you hit the course and help spark change through every step you take. Stay tuned for more details and register early to secure your spot at this inspiring event. |
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DTS Liqui Fruit Spring Open |
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Get ready for the DTS Liqui Fruit Spring Open, an exciting sporting event bringing competitors and fans together for a fantastic day of action. This is a great opportunity to enjoy thrilling competition in a vibrant, energetic atmosphere. Whether you're a participant or a spectator, the DTS Liqui Fruit Spring Open promises an unforgettable experience filled with great sport and community spirit. Don't miss out on this popular annual event - mark your calendar and come join the fun! |
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The Village Market |
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Step into the lively Village Sunday Market, a thriving hub of local entrepreneurship nestled in the heart of Windhoek. Every Sunday, talented small business owners gather to showcase a diverse range of high-quality products, from handcrafted goods to unique finds. Beyond the shopping, the market is a celebration of community and creativity - filled with music, warmth, and good energy. Talents are shared, hearts are touched, and the vibrant atmosphere draws visitors of all ages together. Whether you're looking to support local businesses or simply soak up the Sunday spirit, The Village Market promises an unforgettable experience. Come join us and be part of something special. |
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Quote Of The Day |
"A city is not gauged by its length and width, but by the broadness of its vision and the height of its dreams." - Herb Caen |
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💡 Answer to Trivia Question: The Windhoek Karneval (WIKA) |