Staff Reporter
RESIDENTS of Hadino Hishongwa C and D informal settlements in the Samora Machel Constituency have expressed support for plans to formalise the area, with many indicating their willingness to relocate structures situated within planned road reserves to make way for infrastructure development.
The commitment was made during a community engagement meeting hosted by the City of Windhoek to discuss the implementation of an approved layout plan for the settlements.
According to the City, residents of the informal settlements welcomed the proposed developments and participated constructively in discussions on the formalisation process. Community members whose structures fall within the planned road reserve agreed to realign or relocate their homes to facilitate the construction of access roads, electricity infrastructure and other essential municipal services.
Photos: City of Windhoek
The meeting was led by the City’s Human Settlements Division, with support from the Public Participation and Corporate Communications offices, and was attended by Samora Machel Constituency Councillor Lydia Naango Kanime.
Addressing residents, Kanime urged the community to support the formalisation process and avoid actions that could delay development in the area.
“Let’s not stand in the way of development,” she said, encouraging residents to cooperate with the City to ensure the successful rollout of roads, electricity and other basic services.
Kanime also called on residents to report individuals who already own houses or have the financial means to obtain housing elsewhere but continue to occupy or maintain structures in informal settlements in the hope of benefiting from future formalisation programmes.
She argued that such practices deprive genuinely vulnerable residents of housing opportunities and access to essential services.
“Informal settlement upgrading must benefit those who truly need it. We cannot allow greed to stand in the way of development and housing opportunities for people who are genuinely in need,” Kanime said.
The councillor further encouraged residents to report cases where individuals who already own property continue to occupy land in informal settlements for the benefit of family members or to secure additional plots through future development initiatives.
The City of Windhoek thanked residents for their participation and constructive engagement, saying community cooperation will be critical to the successful implementation of the formalisation project and the provision of essential services in the area.
