Renthia Kaimbi
The Swakopmund municipality has approved the donation of 165 residential erven to listed beneficiaries in the DRC extensions 27, 29 and 30.
The decision was ratified at a council meeting on 24 November 2025 and forms part of the municipality’s efforts to secure property rights for residents.
The approval follows an earlier process in April 2023, when 805 ownership certificates were handed over to DRC residents.
That handover gave residents legal recognition of their properties, allowing them to open municipal utility accounts and build permanent structures.
It also placed an obligation on owners to pay municipal rates and taxes.
The land was originally serviced using central government funds and was donated to residents for a nominal administrative fee of N$1 000. The approval of the 165 erven further formalises the process.
Swakopmund municipality public relations officer Linda Mupupa said the current step is meant to finalise land ownership while allowing room for public input.
“Land was donated to these residents in 2023. We are formalising the process and encouraging people to participate by objecting should the beneficiaries already own land,” Mupupa said.
She said details of the approved donation are open for public inspection at the municipality until 30 January 2026.
Any objections must be submitted in hard copy to the office of the chief executive officer by midday on the same date.
At the same time, progress continues on servicing the extensions.
An electrification project is underway through a partnership between the municipality, Erongo RED and the government.
The project is valued at more than N$11.4 million and aims to connect 650 dwellings.
Mupupa said a N$10 million government contribution means residents who were previously expected to pay a N$2 500 connection fee will now receive electricity at no cost. The project is expected to be completed by March 2026.
Mupupa also said the municipality plans to introduce a metered water standpipe system, first announced as a pilot project in 2023, which will provide residents with a formal paid water supply.
