Also known as: Mayor Sakarias Uunona · Windhoek mayor Sakarias Uunona · His Worship Sakarias Uunona
Mayor of Windhoek addressing infrastructure funding pressures and smart city development strategy implementation.
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Windhoek Observer
Sakarias Uunona framed the strategy as a pledge to build inclusive, resilient, sustainable Windhoek
“Speaking at the launch, Uunona framed the strategy as a pledge to build a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Windhoek.”
Windhoek’s ‘smart city’ vision draws mixed reactionsWindhoek Observer
Mayor Sakarias Uunona is correct in recognising that cities cannot afford to stand still
“Mayor Sakarias Uunona and his council are correct in recognising that cities cannot afford to stand still.”
A smart city vision must never lose sight of basic service deliveryWindhoek Observer
Mayor Sakarias Uunona officially accepted the smart city strategy
“Speaking during the unveiling, the council's mayor, Sakarias Uunona, officially accepted the strategy, stating that the initiative represents a commitment to ensure technology and innovation improve residents' lives while creating opportunities and leaving no one behind.”
CoW eyes digital makeover with rail, fibre and smart city pushThe Namibian
Windhoek mayor Sakarias Uunona revealed murders in Windhoek dropped by 14% during first five months of 2026
“Windhoek mayor Sakarias Uunona revealed this on Thursday during the Windhoek City Council's fifth ordinary meeting.”
Murders, robberies decline in WindhoekThe Namibian
Uunona linked increase in assault with grievous bodily harm to alcohol abuse, domestic violence and gender-based violence
“Uunona linked the increase to alcohol abuse, domestic violence and gender-based violence.”
Murders, robberies decline in WindhoekThe Namibian
Mayor Sakarias Uunona says the city requires about N$384 million annually for routine road maintenance
“Mayor Sakarias Uunona says the city requires about N$384 million annually for routine road maintenance, excluding an additional N$353 million needed to repair damage caused during the 2024/25 rainy season.”
Windhoek needs N$353 million extra to fix potholesThe Namibian
Uunona says the municipality receives only between 5% and 10% of required funding from Road Fund Administration
“He says the municipality receives only between 5% and 10% of the required funding support from the Road Fund Administration, despite maintaining roads heavily used by motorists.”
Windhoek needs N$353 million extra to fix potholesInformanté
Sakarias Uunona welcomed the delegation and underscored value of partnership
“Uunona welcomed the delegation and underscored the value of the long-standing partnership, while Matyayi expressed appreciation for the support that led to the successful completion of the project.”
Solar centre opens to support clean energy shiftNew Era
Sakarias Uunona, mayor of Windhoek welcomed the initiative saying it would strengthen governance, efficiency and record keeping among informal traders
“The mayor of Windhoek, Sakarias Uunona, welcomed the initiative, saying it would strengthen governance practices, operational efficiency, and financial record keeping among informal traders in the region.”
Standard Bank targets informal sector growthInformanté
Sakarias Uunona commended MTC for its ongoing commitment to environmental care
“Sakarias Uunona, the Mayor of Windhoek, commended MTC for its ongoing commitment to environmental care and urged both the public and private sectors to join the movement to restore Windhoek's status as Africa's cleanest city.”
MTC sponsors the ‘Go Green, Skip the Plastic' initiativePresident Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah opened the 13th Chamber of Mines Mining Expo and Conference, themed "From Dialogue to Delivery: Assessing Progress in Creating Mining-Led Economic Growth and Employment Since NamPPF." The President stated that the mining sector remains one of Namibia's leading economic sectors towards Vision 2030.
5 August 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah opened the 13th Chamber of Mines Mining Expo and Conference, themed "From Dialogue to Delivery: Assessing Progress in Creating Mining-Led Economic Growth and Employment Since NamPPF." The President stated that the mining sector remains one of Namibia's leading economic sectors towards Vision 2030.
5 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The 4th Southern Africa Regional Science Association Conference in Windhoek brought together delegates from across the SADC to discuss inclusive and sustainable regional development. Leaders called for stronger collaboration between researchers and policymakers to address southern Africa's urban, economic and environmental challenges.
23 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Windhoek's infrastructure has failed to keep pace with population growth, with commuters facing hour-long journeys clogged with potholes and non-functioning traffic lights, while municipal authorities have deflected responsibility rather than offering solutions.
19 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The City of Windhoek is accelerating its electrification programme to connect 1,298 households across 12 informal settlements to the electricity grid as part of efforts to improve living conditions and expand access to basic municipal services. The project covers four constituencies, with Mix Extension 1 recording the highest number of households ready for connection at 267 homes.
19 July 2026 · Informanté →
Road users in Windhoek report spending hours on the road during peak periods, with journey times significantly longer than before. An Elisenheim resident cited a morning trip that now takes 45 minutes to over an hour, compared to 30 minutes previously, and identified a bottleneck near the B1 and Namibia Breweries turnoff where traffic lights have not been functioning.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The City of Windhoek destroyed approximately 580,000 kilograms of food deemed unfit for human consumption and obtained a court order to close a non-compliant food business as part of a food safety enforcement drive. The municipality also conducted 140 sampling exercises across formal and informal businesses to monitor compliance with food safety standards.
9 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The City of Windhoek says it may seek legislative amendments to the Local Authorities Act after the Supreme Court ruled the municipality lacks legal authority to provide telecommunications services. The city views fibre commercialisation as essential to its smart city ambitions.
25 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Epandulo, an informal settlement in Windhoek's Moses //Garoeb constituency with nearly 1,500 residents, has lacked garbage collection, toilets, and adequate water access for 33 years, creating a sanitation crisis that residents say is causing health problems in children.
23 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The City of Windhoek's municipal council has launched its People-Centred Smart City Strategy 2026–2036 to guide the city's transformation, addressing challenges including rapid urbanisation, housing demand, mobility, and climate pressures through technology adoption and digital governance initiatives.
17 June 2026 · Informanté →
The City of Windhoek launched a People-Centred Smart City Strategy (2026–2036) in partnership with UN-Habitat, aiming to guide development through digital innovation and data-driven governance, but community activists have expressed mixed views on whether the municipality can balance technological ambitions with current service delivery challenges.
17 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The City of Windhoek has unveiled a People-Centred Smart City Strategy for 2026-2036 that includes plans for digital governance, municipal fibre commercialisation, and a proposed commuter rail link. The strategy deserves recognition for its long-term vision, though experts caution it must remain focused on delivering fundamental services.
16 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The City of Windhoek launched a People-Centred Smart City Strategy 2026-2036 aimed at reshaping the capital through digital transformation, modernising public transport, and commercialising its fibre-optic network, including a proposed commuter rail service linking Windhoek, Katutura, and Rehoboth.
16 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Murders in Windhoek dropped 14% and robberies fell 22% during January–May 2026 compared to the same period last year, according to the mayor, though motor vehicle theft rose 4% and armed robbery increased 10%.
6 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The City of Windhoek has repaired over 76,000 potholes but faces funding pressures exceeding N$737 million. Mayor Sakarias Uunona states the city needs N$384 million annually for routine maintenance plus an additional N$353 million for damage from the 2024/25 rainy season, though it receives only 5–10% of required support from the Road Fund Administration.
10 May 2026 · The Namibian →
The City of Windhoek has inaugurated the Windhoek Solar Centre, a knowledge hub offering consultations, training, and guidance on solar energy solutions with a focus on improving access to communities without electricity. The facility, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development at approximately N$4.3 million, was jointly opened by Berlin State Secretary Michael Biel and Windhoek Mayor Sakarias Uunona as part of a partnership between the two cities established in 2000.
5 May 2026 · Informanté →
Standard Bank has launched the 2026 Blue Growth Series Informal Sector Activation in partnership with the Namibia Investment and Finance Academy, aiming to help informal traders transition towards formalization and financial inclusion by providing practical training, mentorship, and market access. The bank's head of enterprise noted that many informal entrepreneurs lack access to funding not from ambition deficits but from missing formal structures and financial discipline, while officials stressed that the informal sector contributes an estimated 26–27% to Namibia's GDP but remains largely outside formal systems.
26 February 2026 · New Era →
Mobile Telecommunications Ltd has provided N$450,000 to support the "Go Green, Skip the Plastic" initiative, which will distribute 4,000 reusable shopping bags and run an awareness campaign to reduce single-use plastic and encourage sustainable habits among Windhoek residents.
25 February 2026 · Informanté →
Mobile Telecommunications Ltd and the City of Windhoek have partnered on a "Go Green, Skip the Plastic" campaign, with MTC pledging N$450,000 to purchase 4,000 reusable shopping bags and run awareness initiatives aimed at reducing single-use plastic and encouraging environmental protection among residents.
23 February 2026 · New Era →
The City of Windhoek launched the 2026 Mayoral Clean-Up Campaign to address declining environmental standards as the city's population has grown from 340,000 in 2011 to approximately 486,186 in 2023. Mayor Sakarias Uunona called for community participation and shared responsibility in waste management, with the campaign running until October 2026 under the theme 'Go Green, Skip the Plastic'.
23 February 2026 · New Era →
The City of Windhoek has approved renaming Rand Street in Khomasdal to Joshua //Hoebeb Street, honouring the former diplomat and educator for his contributions to education, community development and Namibia's liberation struggle. //Hoebeb, Namibia's first high commissioner to South Africa, played a key role in the reintegration of Walvis Bay in 1994 and later served as high commissioner to Botswana and governor of Kunene.
7 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Newly elected Windhoek mayor Sakarias Uunona defended his lack of a tertiary degree, saying leadership requires hard work and experience rather than academic qualifications. His remarks respond to calls by urban development minister James Sankwasa and several political parties for mandatory minimum educational qualifications among local councillors.
4 February 2026 · The Namibian →