The Otjiwarongo Municipality has entered into an agreement with the National Housing Enterprise (NHE) as part of its formalisation of five informal settlements.

The agreement will see the council issuing 2,605 landhold titles to build houses.

Otjiwarongo Municipality Chief Executive Officer, Mberipura Hifitikeko, said the settlements are home to over 8,000 households.

"These communities form an essential part of our town's growth and development. However, their current status calls for urgent formalisation. It is our collective responsibility to provide these residents with the security and dignity that formal land ownership offers. This initiative we are advancing in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform will allow us to provide 2,605 landhold titles to residents in these informal settlements."

Hifitikeko added that the MoU aims to provide affordable houses in Otjiwarongo.

"One such initiative amongst others is the collaboration with Development Workshop Namibia, which will deliver 438 low-cost serviced plots. Furthermore, we are also working closely with the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia and other supportive initiatives to ensure that we leave no one behind in our efforts to create sustainable, inclusive housing solutions."

Otjiwarongo has a housing backlog for over 5,000 households and individuals seeking access to low-cost land. 

National Housing Enterprise Chief Executive Officer, Gisbertus Mukulu, called on prospective housing beneficiaries to apply under this initiative. 

"We have gone out on tenders for us to procure the contractor, but those contractors, I am underling, those contractors will be sourced from the Otjozondjupa Region. And therefore the local labour will be sourced from Otjiwarongo, and that's the most important so that we can create employment during the construction project. Our minister is in full support of this initiative, and therefore we are just looking forward to the successful implementation of the particular project."