The City of Windhoek is inviting owners of homes built from 1959 to 1960 in the Katutura and Khomasdal areas to participate in a Voluntary Exchange of Houses Programme.

The first phase of the project involves the submission of applications and the identification of houses that meet the criteria to be conserved as heritage homes.

Manager of Corporate Communications at the City of Windhoek, Harold Akwenye, said in an interview with nbc News that public participation plays a crucial role and that it will benefit those taking part and the surrounding community.

He says that one of the main reasons the council has embarked on the initiative is to correct the imbalance in the city's historical narrative, adding that it has predominantly focused on colonial distribution while neglecting the rich local history, particularly that of Katutura.

"By supporting and engaging in this programme, residents help to preserve the heritage because they know. They know what happened. Most of them come from that colonial time. So for them to tell is very important for our kids going forward to know what happened, how those houses looked way back then, and how they look right now for our kids to have that history and not just the past of colonial days."

Akwenye emphasised that heritage is a key element in understanding the values of tradition, regionalization, and identity that connect a nation to its past.

He says that through innovation, creativity, and technology, the city can preserve its heritage and amplify social and economic benefits.

People who take part in the programme will be provided with modern houses for them to benefit and have better living conditions.

Akwenye pointed out that the application is voluntary and does not bind the property owner to exchange houses.

"Yes, they are going to be moved, but what we are looking at is trying to obtain open land within those communities as well. For them not to be moved far away from their families and from the communities where they grew up. So if we can build affordable housing within those communities, that's the aim. So the move won't be vast, but it will definitely happen."

The deadline for applications is September 30th.