The City of Windhoek has spent N$64.36 million on pothole repairs, fixing 67,344 potholes and rehabilitating more than 54,000 square metres of damaged roads as infrastructure strain intensifies across the capital.
Mayor Sakkarias Uunona said the city’s road network is under growing pressure following heavy rains and years of underinvestment in maintenance.
“To date, the City has invested N$64.36 million in routine repairs. While pothole patching is only a temporary solution, it remains essential to keep our roads usable and our residents safe while we work towards long-term improvements,” Uunona said.
Damage escalated after heavy rainfall in early 2025 affected more than 650 streets, prompting the City to deploy private contractors alongside internal teams to speed up repairs.
Since February 2025, repairs have covered damage caused by rain, pipe bursts and trenching, with the highest number of interventions recorded in Katutura, Khomasdal, the central business district, Otjomuise, Rocky Crest and Okuryangava.
Uunona said ageing infrastructure and limited maintenance funding have left the municipality reliant on short-term fixes.
“Pothole patching is not a long-term solution, but it is necessary to maintain basic road usability while we address broader infrastructure challenges,” he said.
The City warned that rising repair costs are placing increasing pressure on municipal finances as infrastructure continues to deteriorate and extreme weather events become more frequent.
Beyond roads, Uunona said demand for serviced land continues to exceed supply, with financial constraints limiting the City’s response.
“The demand for land continues to exceed the availability of serviced land, and financial constraints remain a significant challenge,” he said.
The municipality has begun a planning process to formalise informal settlements following a public notice issued in March 2026, urging residents to cooperate with the initiative.
On economic development, the City said 21 entrepreneurs were supported through its Start Your Business training programme in February, covering financial planning, marketing and operations.
Infrastructure projects are also progressing, including the Rocky Crest cemetery, now in its third phase, and the refurbishment of Sam Nujoma Stadium, which is expected to be completed in October 2026.
“Providing burial space is a statutory and social responsibility of the municipality, and we are pleased with the progress on the Rocky Crest cemetery,” Uunona said.
