Capital outgrows its baby shoes

WINDHOEK – Informal settlements in the northern and north-western parts of Windhoek are the areas with the fastest population growth in the city.

Municipal spokesman Ndangi Katoma says that physically the city is expanding to the west at the moment – the Rocky Crest and Otjomuise developments. The expansion of Kleine Kuppe and Cimbebasia to the south has been curbed by environmental laws aimed at preventing the pollution of groundwater.Future expansion will happen in a northerly direction, Katoma said, although a few pockets of land to the east could also be developed.He said following Independence, Windhoek experienced an acute shortage of serviced plots for low-income residents and the demand was further increased by the strong influx of people from rural areas.This demand resulted in people squatting on private and municipal land, especially in the north-western suburbs.The City responded by providing a range of settlement options to suit the different financial and social circumstances of the existing residents as well as the new settlers, Katoma said.At the beginning of 1993, the Big Bend Township, now known as Havana, was developed as a resettlement area for squatters.However, basic services such as water and sanitation, which are essential for sustainable human settlements, were not adequately provided.Said Katoma: “The vision of the City clearly demonstrates our commitment to improving the lives of our residents.We commit ourselves to making Windhoek a vibrant, economic and technological centre of excellence in Africa in order to enhance the quality of life of all our people.”But he added that the municipality faced many challenges such as the growth rate in Windhoek, which is the fastest in Namibia.The capital is growing at an alarming rate of 4,5 per cent a year, mainly because of an influx of people from smaller towns who come in search of jobs and better health and educational services.The migrants were mainly uneducated young people, Katoma said.Another challenge, he added, was unemployment, which was estimated at an alarming 30 per cent in 2001.This means that a large proportion of Windhoek residents cannot meet their basic needs, let alone pay for municipal services.- NampaThe expansion of Kleine Kuppe and Cimbebasia to the south has been curbed by environmental laws aimed at preventing the pollution of groundwater.Future expansion will happen in a northerly direction, Katoma said, although a few pockets of land to the east could also be developed.He said following Independence, Windhoek experienced an acute shortage of serviced plots for low-income residents and the demand was further increased by the strong influx of people from rural areas.This demand resulted in people squatting on private and municipal land, especially in the north-western suburbs.The City responded by providing a range of settlement options to suit the different financial and social circumstances of the existing residents as well as the new settlers, Katoma said.At the beginning of 1993, the Big Bend Township, now known as Havana, was developed as a resettlement area for squatters.However, basic services such as water and sanitation, which are essential for sustainable human settlements, were not adequately provided.Said Katoma: “The vision of the City clearly demonstrates our commitment to improving the lives of our residents.We commit ourselves to making Windhoek a vibrant, economic and technological centre of excellence in Africa in order to enhance the quality of life of all our people.”But he added that the municipality faced many challenges such as the growth rate in Windhoek, which is the fastest in Namibia.The capital is growing at an alarming rate of 4,5 per cent a year, mainly because of an influx of people from smaller towns who come in search of jobs and better health and educational services.The migrants were mainly uneducated young people, Katoma said.Another challenge, he added, was unemployment, which was estimated at an alarming 30 per cent in 2001.This means that a large proportion of Windhoek residents cannot meet their basic needs, let alone pay for municipal services.- Nampa