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 involved in disputes over traditional leadership, municipal finances, and land administration.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
Windhoek Observer
Minister James Sankwasa reportedly intervened in the departure of Chief Regional Officer Kamseb
“The controversy surrounding the departure of Chief Regional Officer Kamseb, reportedly following the intervention of Minister of Urban and Rural Development James Sankwasa, has reignited an uncomfortable but necessary national conversation.”
Time to Clarify Who Really Governs Namibia’s RegionsInformanté
James Sankwasa is being called on to intervene immediately in the dispute
“Meanwhile, residents and property owners in Henties Bay have begun circulating a petition calling on the Minister of Urban and Rural Development, James Sankwasa, to intervene immediately in the dispute.”
Henties Bay to replace prepaid water meters after contractor shuts down vending systemThe Namibian
James Sankwasa halted government funding to opposition-led Kunene Regional Council
“The payments were due on 25 June but were reportedly blocked after urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa intervened by halting government funding to the opposition-led regional council.”
Venaani accuses Swapo of punishing PDM over Kunene salary delaysThe Namibian
Urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa decided to block government funding to the regional council
“The financial crisis follows a decision by urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa to block government funding to the regional council, leaving 94 employees without salaries.”
Kunene address in limboWindhoek Observer
Minister James Sankwasa reminded traditional leaders that communal land remains state property and chiefs are custodians rather than owners
“The recent remarks by Rural and Urban Development Minister James Sankwasa, reminding traditional leaders that communal land remains state property and that chiefs are custodians rather than owners, have reignited an important national conversation that extends far beyond the coronation of VaGciriku Hompa Bartholomeus Aruvita Kayoka.”
Communal land: Time to rethink custodianship?Windhoek Observer
Rural and urban development minister James Sankwasa reiterated communal land across Namibia remains state property
“Allexer Namundjembo Rural and urban development minister James Sankwasa has reiterated that communal land across Namibia remains state property, warning traditional leaders against any attempts to treat or trade it as privately owned land.”
‘Communal land remains state property’ – Sankwasa …minister says chiefs are only custodiansWindhoek Observer
Sankwasa announced Kayoka as the rightful successor in early May 2026
“Following consultations and further assessment, Sankwasa announced Kayoka as the rightful successor in early May 2026 and formally endorsed his installation as Hompa.”
‘Communal land remains state property’ – Sankwasa …minister says chiefs are only custodiansThe Namibian
Minister James Sankwasa directed NHE board to extend Gisbertus Mukulu's contract until replacement appointed
“Urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa has directed the National Housing Enterprise (NHE) board to extend chief executive Gisbertus Mukulu's contract until a replacement is appointed and assumes office.”
NHE boss stays until replacement arrives – ministerThe Namibian
Sankwasa instructed board to confirm implementation in writing by 3 July
“The minister also instructs the board to confirm in writing the implementation of the directive by 3 July.”
NHE boss stays until replacement arrives – ministerNew Era
James Sankwasa suspended the disbursement of funds to the KRC in May
“In May, Sankwasa suspended the disbursement of funds to the KRC, citing concerns over the continued presence of acting chief regional officer George Kamseb.”
Kunene RC salaries unpaidA peaceful demonstration by a /Khomanin Traditional Community faction at the Government Office Park descended into chaos when deputy minister Evelyn !Nawases-Taeyele was sent to receive their petition, despite the community saying it had already submitted documents and sought answers about Gaos Julien Gawanas, whom they accuse of mismanaging community funds.
2 September 2026 · New Era →
A peaceful demonstration by a /Khomanin Traditional Community faction at the Government Office Park descended into chaos when deputy minister Evelyn !Nawases-Taeyele was sent to receive their petition, despite the community saying it had already submitted documents and sought answers about Gaos Julien Gawanas, whom they accuse of mismanaging community funds.
2 September 2026 · New Era →
/Khomanin Traditional Community is in dispute with the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development over removal of Chief Julien Gawanas and an audit of community finances. The community says it submitted documents including a request for an audit in April 2024 and is awaiting clarity on outcomes, while Minister James Sankwasa says established procedures must be followed.
2 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
/Khomanin Traditional Community members confronted Urban and Rural Development Minister James Sankwasa at his office, demanding an update on their petition calling for the removal of Chief Julien Gawanas and the status of a financial audit. The community says it gave consent for the audit on 22 April 2024 and has been waiting for answers on its submissions to the ministry for over two years.
2 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Windhoek city councillors have raised concerns over CEO Moses Matyayi's foreign trips, including an alleged N$300 000 spent on a trip to Harvard University, and are calling for removal of council resolutions that allow him to travel internationally without prior council approval. Matyayi has rejected the allegations as "speculative and unsupported by evidence" and calls the complaints a "clandestine witch-hunt."
24 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Urban and Rural Development Minister James Sankwasa has directed local authorities to submit outstanding municipal debts owed by pensioners, deceased residents, and destitute persons for possible write-off, with a deadline of 31 August 2026 to provide verified information.
19 August 2026 · New Era →
The Bwabwata National Park debate involves competing claims by the Hambukushu Traditional Authority and Khwe community over historical jurisdictional interests and traditional leadership recognition, spanning Kavango East and Zambezi regions. The article argues that resolving the dispute requires an impartial facilitator rather than a government minister, given the complexity of conservation, community rights, and land issues at stake.
18 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The Kunene Regional Council's 2026/27 budget has remained frozen since March due to a legal dispute over the reinstatement of chief regional officer George Kamseb, leaving the council unable to pay utilities and halting operational and capital projects. The council is only managing to pay staff salaries through a monthly arrangement involving two finance officials travelling to Windhoek, and is awaiting the Supreme Court's pronouncement on the matter.
18 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Rundu residents and leaders have opposed a proposed N$100 300 trip for mayor Andreas Jikerwa to attend the 15th Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona from 3 to 5 November, arguing the funds should address the town's challenges instead. The Rundu chief executive said the submission remains under consideration by the management committee and full council before final approval is sought from the line minister.
17 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Urban and Rural Development Minister James Sankwasa has rejected allegations that he received preferential treatment in purchasing four business plots in Bukalo Extension 2 for N$45,000 combined. Former Bukalo Village Council CEO Martin Limbo questioned whether the transaction complied with legal requirements and whether the price represented a discount, claiming the properties were individually valued at approximately N$23,500 each.
17 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Hambukushu Traditional Authority has rejected Minister James Sankwasa's claim that it refused to participate in Government consultation on traditional and customary matters.
17 August 2026 · Namibian Sun →
Minister of urban and rural development James Sankwasa has denied corruption allegations after a leaked council document alleged he acquired four Bukalo business plots for N$45,000 in total. A source claims Bukalo Village Council passed a resolution in July offering the plots to Sankwasa without him applying or being on a waiting list, and alleges the purchase price does not reflect the land's value under the council's approved tariff structure.
16 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Chief Herman Iipumbu has approved a Royal Clan gathering scheduled for 15 August but prohibited the event from commemorating King Iipumbu ya Tshilongo's violent ouster by British troops on 15 August 1932, citing a 2024 High Court order. The chief is facing growing pressure to relinquish power to allow restoration of the tribe's Royal Clan under the matrilineal system of succession.
14 August 2026 · Informanté →
The All People's Party has criticised minister of urban and rural development James Sankwasa for summoning traditional leaders to Rundu for consultations on Bwabwata National Park's customary status, questioning why he is summoning the leaders to meet him rather than travelling to meet the communities.
11 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Minister James Sankwasa warned against foreign cultural influence in Africa, questioning the adoption of trends like Brazilian hairstyles and artificial nails at the Olufuko Cultural Festival gala dinner. Analysts remain split: one supports his concerns about globalisation weakening local practices, while another cautions against framing cultural identity as a binary choice between "African" and "foreign."
11 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa has warned residents at Groot Aub against illegal land sales, characterizing it as a criminal offence.
11 August 2026 · Namibian Sun →
Urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa has called on Africans to examine how foreign cultural influences have reshaped their identity, arguing that Africans are abandoning their own culture in favour of foreign values and beauty standards. He criticised the adoption of foreign beauty practices, including Brazilian hair and artificial nails, saying such practices disconnect people from traditional livelihoods.
10 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Social activist Michael Amushelelo launched the Amushelelo Hosea Kutako Airport Estate, a private housing development of up to 10,528 plots near Windhoek, in partnership with businessman Harvey Boulter and lawyer Kadhila Amoomo, offering three plot sizes priced from N$40,000 to N$60,000 with monthly payments from about N$1,500.
9 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The Uukolonkadhi traditional community remains divided months after the government formally recognised Malakia Shoombe as chief in January 2026, following the death of Chief Daniel Shooya in October 2024. Discontent centres on claims that Shooya's preferred successor, Johannes Taanyanda Asino, was sidelined in favour of Shoombe, contrary to Aawambo beliefs about honouring the wishes of the deceased.
6 August 2026 · Informanté →
The City of Windhoek, together with the ministry of urban and rural development and Khomas Regional Council, held a consultative meeting with Groot Aub residents to discuss land ownership, housing, and infrastructure. Municipal services including water, sewerage, and solid waste will remain free of charge, and the city is investing N$18.4 million in water infrastructure improvements, including an ongoing Phase 2 pipeline upgrade.
5 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
An editorial in the Windhoek Observer argues that Namibia's sewerage infrastructure, built decades ago for much smaller populations, is reaching capacity limits across municipalities and town councils, as illustrated by Katima Mulilo's recurring sewage crisis.
4 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa says Katima Mulilo's sewage crisis stems from an aging sewer system designed decades ago for 10,000–15,000 people that has not kept pace with the town's growth. The overflowing infrastructure threatens public health and the town's tourism ambitions ahead of the Zambezi Bream Festival.
4 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
A section of the /Khomani traditional community has threatened a mass demonstration at the ministry of urban and rural development on 1 September, demanding the government respond to calls for the removal of chief Juliane Gawanas and release the outcome of a financial audit covering the past 15 years of the /Khomani Traditional Authority.
4 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Former Oshana governor Elia Irimari has said merging Oshakati and Ongwediva into one municipality is necessary as the two towns have grown into one continuous urban area. Activist Tangy Tshilongo is formally submitting a proposal for the merger to both town councils and Oshana governor Hofni Iipinge, arguing that a unified municipality would improve service delivery, strengthen economic development, and better coordinate infrastructure.
3 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Minister of urban and rural development James Sankwasa has appointed three new members to the Council of Traditional Leaders under the Council of Traditional Authorities Act, 1997: chief Eugen Siwombe Kudumo to represent the Kwangali traditional authority, traditional councillor Mukamba Evans Katukula to represent the Masubia traditional authority, and traditional councillor Muhembo Sebastian to represent the Mbukushu/Hambakushu traditional authority. The appointments took effect upon publication in Government Gazette No. 8977.
29 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development has warned the Rundu Town Council to follow the law when allocating land, requiring ministerial approval and legal compliance. Minister James Sankwasa also expressed concern over double allocations and called on the council to maintain audit records and involve residents in clean-up programmes.
28 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The Henties Bay municipal council issued a statement defending its acting CEO, Ignasia Neis, and clarifying that the recent collapse of the town's prepaid water vending system resulted from contractor Item Engineering CC unilaterally suspending the system during a contractual payment dispute, not from failures by a single official.
27 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development has warned regional councils to improve project implementation and service delivery while announcing a N$10 million allocation for the Food/Cash for Work Programme to provide temporary income support to vulnerable households and strengthen rural resilience. According to the deputy minister, 50.5% of Namibia's population lives in rural areas, and while some regional councils have made progress, others struggle with poor implementation.
22 July 2026 · Informanté →
Minister of urban and rural development James Sankwasa has warned that the era of 'business as usual' in rural development is over, cautioning regional councils to improve project implementation and ensure public resources deliver measurable benefits for communities. He expressed concern over incomplete projects, unspent development funds and idle rural development centres, calling for performance-based resource allocation and improved accountability.
21 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Urban and Rural Development Minister James Sankwasa has criticized the Henties Bay municipality's acting chief executive officer as the "poorest of poor performers" amid a water crisis where residents cannot purchase prepaid water after the service provider suspended vending in June over a contractual dispute. The minister's concerns centre on the stalled implementation of an approximately N$27 million prepaid water meter project and has formally objected to the acting CEO's appointment as substantive CEO.
20 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa warned that local authorities will not receive budget allocations unless they can demonstrate audited financial statements.
16 July 2026 · Namibian Sun →