By Harold Akwenye
In the daily hustle of urban life, where expenses abound and temptations are many, we are often forced to make difficult choices about how we spend our hard-earned income.
But in this ever-evolving world of needs and wants, one truth remains constant: water, electricity, and municipal services are not luxuries – they are lifelines.
As the City of Windhoek, we are increasingly concerned about a troubling trend among residents – a pattern of misplaced financial priorities that undermines essential household well-being and jeopardises service delivery.
It is not uncommon today to find households in arrears with their water, electricity, or municipal rate payments, while luxury purchases and non-essential spending continue unabated.
Store accounts for designer clothing, subscriptions to entertainment platforms, and weekend outings take precedence over electricity for children to study, hot water for winter mornings, or clean water to maintain hygiene. This is not just a question of budgeting – it is a reflection of values. And unfortunately, it is the most vulnerable who often pay the price.
One concerning scenario we frequently encounter is where young working adults continue to live at home with their parents or grandparents (pensioners), enjoying the comforts of municipal services but making no financial contribution toward the water, electricity, or rates and taxes.
Over time, the municipal account grows, and the elderly – often on fixed incomes – are left to carry a financial burden they cannot meet. The outcome is devastating: water and electricity disconnections that leave our elderly citizens without basic services due to the ill-discipline and lack of accountability of younger household members.
Let us be unequivocal – paying your municipal bills is not only a legal obligation but a moral and intergenerational responsibility. These services sustain your household’s safety, dignity, and development. Delaying or defaulting on payments does not only affect you; it weakens the collective service delivery framework for the entire city.
The City of Windhoek thrives to remain the most affordable electricity distributor in Namibia. It is important to note that we do not generate electricity. We purchase it from Nampower, and the price we charge residents is determined by the cost we incur from them.
The City only adjusts its tariffs in direct response to Nampower’s pricing structure. Unfortunately, many residents wrongly direct their frustration at the City when prices increase, yet we are simply passing on the cost from the national supplier without additional markups.
Despite these challenges, the City remains committed to supporting our residents. We offer payment arrangements, compassionate engagements for pensioners, and avenues for resolving disputes or billing errors. We are here to assist – but residents must meet us halfway.
So we ask:
What good is a new smartphone when your grandmother has no hot water?
What joy is there in nightlife when your siblings are studying by candlelight?
What pride can one take in designer labels when your municipal account is drowning in debt?
Let us reframe our priorities and remember that water, electricity, rates and taxes are not optional – they are essential. They power our lives, preserve our health, ensure our safety, and enable the success of our children.
We call on every resident – whether young or old, employed or self-employed – to treat their municipal obligations with the seriousness they deserve. If you live in a household, contribute. If you enjoy the services, pay for them. If you are facing hardship, engage us early.
Paying your municipal bills is not just about compliance – it is a statement of character, responsibility, and care for the people in your home and your community.
Let us change the narrative, honour the essentials, and prioritise what truly matters – for a stronger, healthier, and more resilient Windhoek.
*Harold Akwenye is Manager: Communication and Marketing at the City of Windhoek
