Allexer Namundjembo
The City of Windhoek has launched its 2025 Mayoral Clean‑Up Campaign under the theme “My Waste, My Responsibility”, calling on residents, businesses, and institutions to help restore Windhoek’s status as Africa’s cleanest capital.
Speaking at the launch, Windhoek mayor Ndeshihafela Larandja said the campaign is not just a one-day event but a citywide effort running until October 2025.
It focuses on community-driven waste management and environmental care. She said the initiative aligns with the city’s strategic plan 2022–2027, which promotes collective responsibility for urban cleanliness and public health.
Since April 2025, the City has emptied over 5,100 skip containers and removed 1,877 waste loads.
It has trained 244 community representatives from both informal and formal settlements on waste management, including how to operate buy-back centres and landfills.
Windhoek previously held the title of Africa’s cleanest city from 2005 to 2014 but has since dropped to third place behind Kigali.
Kigali runs a monthly civic clean-up known as “Umuganda.”
The city’s population has grown rapidly, from around 340,000 in 2011 to 486,000 in 2023.
The expansion of informal settlements has added pressure on urban waste systems, prompting the need for more coordinated clean-up efforts.
Corporate partners supporting the campaign include First National Bank of Namibia (FNB), Namibia Breweries Limited (NBL), Letshego Bank, NAMICA Megasave, Total Energies, and Spice Corporate.
These partners have contributed funds, materials, and manpower.
The City urged all stakeholders to join the campaign until October 2025, saying that every form of support, financial, material, or active participation—will help reclaim Windhoek’s former standing.
“Together, let us reclaim our rightful position as Africa’s cleanest capital, not just for the title, but for the health, dignity, and pride of every resident,” Larandja said.
This is not the first time the city has launched such a campaign.
In March 2022, former mayor Sade Gawanas led a clean-up effort in Moses Garoeb Constituency under the same theme.
Last year, the then mayor Queen Kamati spearheaded a similar initiative, encouraging businesses to donate street bins and promoting recycling through buy-back centres.
That campaign drew participation from both the private sector and residents, particularly in densely populated areas.
The city has also carried out seasonal and targeted clean-ups, such as cemetery weeding projects, often with support from local businesses and public agencies.
The 2025 campaign builds on this history with new partnerships and a focus on long-term results as Windhoek works to regain its title as Africa’s cleanest capital.
