Also known as: Minister Sankwasa · Minister of urban and rural development James Sankwasa · minister James Sankwasa · Hon. Sankwasa · Minister of Urban and Rural Development, James Sankwasa · Adolf Kaure Urban and Rural Development Minister James Sankwasa · urban development minister James Sankwasa · our honourable minister James Sankwasa
Minister of Urban and Rural Development overseeing housing programmes, municipal governance, traditional authority oversight, and debt collection disputes.
News reports
Order a long-term news report on James Sankwasa
Every mention in the Namibian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
New Era
James Sankwasa approved designation of Herbert George Jacky Britz as Kaptein of the Rehoboth Baster Gemeente Traditional Community
“Urban and Rural Development Minister James Sankwasa has approved the designation of Herbert George Jacky Britz as Kaptein of the Rehoboth Baster Gemeente Traditional Community, bringing closure to a protracted leadership dispute.”
Basters' Kaptein Britz recognisedNew Era
Urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa was urged to launch investigations and audits for December 2020 to December 2025
“Turning the attention to the Keetmanshoop Electricity Business Unit, resorting under the town's municipality, the //Kharas Regional Council, as well as the Oranjemund and Karasburg town councils, he urged the urban and rural development minister, James Sankwasa, to launch investigations and audits for the period from December 2020 until December 2025 to ensure transparency and accountability were carried out accordingly.”
Mumbala takes on govt institutionsThe Namibian
Minister James Sankwasa warned that councillors and officials could be required to compensate state for losses
“Urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa has warned that councillors and administrative officials responsible for financial losses within regional and local authorities could be required to compensate the state.”
Sankwasa warns officials may be held personally liable for losses at local authoritiesThe Namibian
Sankwasa expressed concern over rising unpaid municipal bills and weak financial oversight
“Speaking at the 2026 regional and local authorities induction training at Mariental, Sankwasa has expressed concern over rising unpaid municipal bills and weak financial oversight in several councils.”
Sankwasa warns officials may be held personally liable for losses at local authoritiesInformanté
James Sankwasa was directed to further explore how the technology could be scaled up
“Impressed by the speed and quality of construction, Nandi-Ndaitwah directed Kaire Mbuende, Director General of the National Planning Commission, and James Sankwasa, Minister of Urban and Rural Development, to further explore how the technology could be scaled up to help address Namibia's housing backlog.”
Innovative housing technology gains presidential attentionThe Namibian
Minister James Sankwasa ordered Okahandja municipality to cancel N$11-million sale of 101 residential plots
“Minister of urban and rural development James Sankwasa has ordered the Okahandja municipality to cancel the N$11-million sale of 101 residential plots to private companies to prioritise landless Namibians.”
Minister Sankwasa orders Okahandja to stop 101 plot sales as land dispute deepensThe Namibian
Minister Sankwasa said local authorities must stop allocating government-serviced land to private developers
“The sale of these serviced and unserviced plots was issued only a day after the minister said local authorities must stop allocating government-serviced land to private developers.”
Minister Sankwasa orders Okahandja to stop 101 plot sales as land dispute deepensNew Era
James Sankwasa said the baseline report responds to Cabinet's directive to determine the scale and status of informal settlements
“In remarks delivered on his behalf, Urban and Rural Development Minister James Sankwasa said the baseline report responds to Cabinet's directive to determine the scale and status of informal settlements in Namibia.”
Namibia’s over 400 informal settlements … 200 000 live thereThe Namibian
Minister James Sankwasa has directed local authorities to stop allocating government-serviced land to private developers
“Minister of urban and rural development James Sankwasa has directed local authorities to stop allocating government-serviced land to private developers to ensure affordable housing for low-income citizens.”
Sankwasa bans private developers from state-serviced land to boost affordable housingNew Era
James Sankwasa said NHE needs to increase pace of housing delivery
“Sankwasa said that NHE needs to increase the pace of housing delivery to ensure that the country's citizens receive decent, affordable houses.”
NHE records N$23m net profit for 2024/25 FY …needs to increase the pace of housing delivery to address backlogUrban and rural development minister James Sankwasa has denied directing the Walvis Bay municipality to terminate its debt collection contract with RedForce.
2 hours ago · Namibian Sun →
Urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa has denied directing the Walvis Bay municipality to terminate its debt collection contract with RedForce.
2 hours ago · Namibian Sun →
Minister of urban and rural development James Sankwasa announced that traditional authorities receiving fishing-quota proceeds will face audits by his ministry and the finance ministry, citing concerns over unexplained withdrawals by chiefs and their relatives and warning of potential prosecution for misuse.
19 hours ago · Windhoek Observer →
The High Court ruled that urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa did not expressly direct the municipality of Walvis Bay to immediately terminate its RedForce Debt Management contract, striking the company's urgent application and leaving its substantive challenge unresolved. The judge found RedForce had failed to establish urgency and ordered the company to pay the minister's legal costs.
20 hours ago · Windhoek Observer →
Keetmanshoop Municipality has reportedly been unable to pay more than 250 employees for October, with debt to NamWater approaching N$100 million and residents owing the municipality more than N$84 million. The article questions the qualifications and accountability of local authority leadership when basic salary obligations cannot be met.
21 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Keetmanshoop municipality cannot pay its employees for October and has a nearly N$100 million debt to NamWater. Urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa confirmed the crisis and refused a government bailout, saying the council's financial problems resulted from its own actions, and also questioned three councillors' travel to Cape Town without ministerial approval while salaries remain unpaid.
21 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Urban and Rural Development Minister James Sankwasa said on Monday that traditional leaders must act within the law and not abuse their authority.
21 October 2026 · Namibian Sun →
A High Court judge has temporarily suspended the Walvis Bay Town Council's decision to terminate its five-year debt collection contract with RedForce Debt Management. The council voted to end the contract in October following criticism from the minister of rural and urban development, who alleged RedForce was charging residents double the amount owed and that the contract was legally invalid.
20 October 2026 · The Namibian →
The High Court has temporarily blocked the municipality of Walvis Bay from terminating its debt-collection contract with RedForce Debt Management CC, preventing the municipality from withdrawing RedForce's mandate or cutting off its access to municipal debtor information. The interdict follows a council resolution adopted on 7 October 2026 to terminate the contract, and escalates a dispute between the town's political leadership and its chief executive officer, Victoria Kapenda.
20 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Minister of urban and rural development James Sankwasa has warned traditional leaders against mismanaging state funds, noting follow-ups revealed unexplained withdrawals from accounts and that councillors were allegedly unaware of how funds linked to Oonani Investments Group were being managed. He said the money should benefit communities through projects such as household electricity connections, gardens, and assistance for sick people needing hospital care.
19 October 2026 · Namibian Sun →
The Minister of Urban and Rural Development has received 15 applications for chieftainship and expressed concerns about the growing number of traditional leaders in Namibia, raising questions about factors driving applications and alleged conflicts between customary practices and national law.
19 October 2026 · Namibian Sun →
The government has allocated N$146 million to the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia during the 2025/26 financial year to address housing needs of low-income earners. The Urban and Rural Development Ministry reported completing approximately 1,864 houses countrywide and constructing 250 sanitation facilities in rural areas during the review period.
13 October 2026 · New Era →
The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development allocated N$146 million to the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia during the 2025/26 financial year to address the country's housing crisis for low-income earners and vulnerable communities. The ministry completed approximately 1,864 houses countrywide during the period and facilitated construction of 250 sanitation facilities in rural areas.
10 October 2026 · The Namibian →
The ||Khomanin Traditional Authority has rejected allegations that it illegally sells land to non-members, calling the claims baseless and tribalistic. The allegations were made by the Landless ||Khomanin Traditional Community organisation, whose leader earlier accused the authority of unlawful land sales, financial mismanagement, and other misconduct.
8 October 2026 · The Namibian →
The City of Windhoek has declined to publicly address a petition from social justice activists on land, governance, accountability, and service delivery, stating the matters involve internal administrative and governance processes governed by the Local Authorities Act. The activists accuse the municipality of using internal procedures and legislation to avoid public scrutiny on issues affecting Windhoek residents.
7 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Walvis Bay Municipal Council was scheduled to vote on terminating its RedForce Debt Management contract following pressure from the urban and rural development minister, who directed the municipality to halt the agreement, recover allegedly wasted funds, and investigate its implementation. The council's decision comes after the Attorney General found the contract to be flawed and not valid, and after it was determined the agreement was not signed in accordance with municipal law.
7 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The High Court is expected to deliver its ruling on 20 October on RedForce Debt Management's legal challenge against urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa's directive.
6 October 2026 · Namibian Sun →
Young people in rural communities are asking traditional leaders to provide access to communal land for agricultural and business ventures, saying land access alone is insufficient—they also need financial support to acquire equipment and other essentials. The call follows President Nandi-Ndaitwah's remarks at the Lusata Cultural Festival urging traditional authorities to make communal land available for agricultural and ecotourism projects.
2 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The City of Windhoek intends to develop a 157-plot industrial township at the formerly disputed Ramatex site in Otjomuise, following resolution of legal disputes. The plan, originally developed in 2016, will provide industrial plots of varying sizes for warehouses, manufacturing, and other businesses.
30 September 2026 · New Era →
The City of Windhoek has structured a lease allowing Grow More Investments CC to deduct N$90,000 from monthly rent for two warehouses purchased from Ramatex's liquidators, enabling the company to recover the N$8.625 million purchase cost of each warehouse over nearly eight years. The 25-year lease was approved by Windhoek City Council under Resolution 196/09/2025.
29 September 2026 · The Namibian →
The City of Windhoek approved a lease structure allowing Grow More Investments CC (a Rani Group subsidiary) to deduct N$90,000 monthly from rent on municipal land under warehouses purchased from Ramatex liquidators, enabling the investor to recover the N$8.625 million purchase cost of each warehouse over approximately eight years.
29 September 2026 · The Namibian →
The Minister of Urban and Rural Development has directed Walvis Bay municipality to act by 30 September on the attorney general's legal opinion regarding its contract with RedForce Debt Management, which he says is flawed because it was not co-signed as required by law. The directive follows a High Court order on 3 September that barred the municipality and RedForce from disconnecting water supply to Wena Investments, which had sued over debt collection fees and disconnections.
28 September 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah called on traditional authorities to partner with government in advancing Namibia's development agenda, including making communal land available for agriculture and ecotourism. She stressed that traditional institutions remain essential to grassroots governance and must modernise their practices—such as record-keeping and sustainable agriculture—while maintaining their cultural values.
28 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa has ordered Walvis Bay Municipality to halt its debt collection agreement with RedForce Debt Management, recover allegedly wasted funds, and investigate the contract's execution. The municipality's management committee chairperson confirmed the agreement is invalid because it was not executed in accordance with the Local Authorities Act — it was signed by technocrats rather than the required chief executive officer and management committee chairperson.
28 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Minister of urban and rural development James Sankwasa has questioned the widespread characterisation of rural Namibia as poor, arguing that rural communities play a critical role in feeding urban areas and should be recognised for their economic contribution. He said Namibia needs to rethink its perception of poverty, education and development.
27 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Princess Sehwe Maiba's side is challenging the process that led to Gilbert Muhongo Mutwa's designation as Chief Munitenge Moraliswani III, seeking to set aside the urban and rural development minister's April 2025 approval and the subsequent recognition under Proclamation No. 29 of 2025. The dispute stems from the succession process following Chief Kisco Maiba Liswani III's death in July 2021, with Sehwe and the Masubia Royal Council contending the process bypassed traditional succession order and royal institutions.
25 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Gobabis municipality incurred N$589 153 in legal fees between January and August to handle a disciplinary dispute involving an alleged daily subsistence allowance of N$6 000, prompting councillors to question whether the costs were proportionate to the original matter. The municipality defended the proceedings as conducted in accordance with its staff rules, though a councillor disputed the figures.
23 September 2026 · The Namibian →
A decades-long land dispute involving four families in the Zambezi region has reignited, with the Masubia tribal court warning that renewed confrontations could result in injuries or death. The traditional authority, saying the matter has moved beyond its jurisdiction, summoned the families with police and security present in September 2026, but the meeting became confrontational.
22 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa has rejected Divundu Village Council's recommendation to extend former CEO Athanasius Ndjamba Maghumbo's contract, citing governance failures, alleged mismanagement, and poor performance including the council's failure to submit audited financial reports since 2015. The council has requested a dialogue with the minister to clarify the findings against Maghumbo, but Sankwasa has declared his decision "final" and ruled out further talks.
14 September 2026 · Namibian Sun →
Three City of Windhoek councillors have apologised to chief executive Moses Matyayi and withdrawn allegations they made about his official foreign travels, acknowledging the claims were made without adequate verification.
11 September 2026 · The Namibian →
RedForce Debt Management CC's N$850,000 defamation case against urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa has been postponed to November for a case management conference. The debt collection company is suing Sankwasa over a written directive issued in August 2025 to local authorities and alleged statements made to journalists and during an online talk show.
9 September 2026 · The Namibian →