Okahandja, once known as the Garden Town, seems to be losing its status.

In recent years, heaps of domestic refuse have been piling up in residential areas, particularly in informal settlements.

The town, a gateway to most parts of Namibia, has also been grappling with service delivery due to infighting between politicians and administrators.

A visit by the nbc News crew to Okahandja has shown little to no change, as we observed heaps of uncollected waste a stone's throw away from dwellings where children often play.

Speaking to nbc-news, an aggrieved resident of Oshetu number two, Rodriques Tsuseb, says unemployed youth can earn a living if they can be employed to help clean the town.

Tsuseb says they feel abandoned as councillors are allegedly nowhere to be seen.

"Our town is very filthy like we lie idle due to unemployment. A few of us do not have qualifications, but surely collecting garbage is an odd job for everyone and does not require a qualification. Our councillors should intervene and create opportunities for us, like collecting waste, so we can avoid diseases and make our place look good."

Baszie Witbeen is dismayed that residents often walk long distances to fetch water, which is a sign that councillors are failing residents.

Furthermore, a newly-proclaimed settlement, Okunde four and five, close to the garbage landfill, also irks residents, particularly community activist, Laurencia Haoses, who says Okahandja has shrugged off its prestigious status due to negligence.

In May this year, Okahandja issued a five-year tender to recruit waste collectors, which has been criticized for its strict criteria, in an effort to help the town regain its status.