Sem David

Sem David — community activist in Windhoek who questions municipal service delivery and spending, focusing on informal settlement infrastructure and government accountability.

2026-01-282026-07-21

What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

July 2026
20 JulWindhoek Observer
Sem David alleged that City of Windhoek failed to adequately explain electricity tariff adjustment
Source
“David referred to last year's proposed electricity tariff increase, alleging that the City of Windhoek failed to adequately explain the adjustment and later faced questions regarding its submission to the Electricity Control Board (ECB).”
Windhoek community activists question 4% municipal tariff increase
1 JulWindhoek Observer
Sem David said the high number of illegal electricity connections could have been significantly reduced if the municipality had provided accessible, affordable electricity services
Source
“Community activist Sem David echoed the sentiment, saying the high number of illegal electricity connections in areas such as Otjomuise, Havana, Hakahana, Okuryangava, and Goreangab Dam could have been significantly reduced if the municipality had provided accessible, affordable, and properly planned electricity services.”
Windhoek residents say lack of electricity fuels illegal power connections
May 2026
26 MayWindhoek Observer
Sem David called on City of Windhoek and Ministry of Urban and Rural Development to release trip details
Source
“Allexer Namundjebo Windhoek activist Sem David has called on the City of Windhoek and the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development to release full details of Windhoek mayor Sackarias Uunona's trip to the World Urban Forum in Baku, Azerbaijan.”
Windhoek mayor’s Azerbaijan trip raises eyebrows
20 MayThe Namibian
Khomas regional chairperson Sem David describes the agreement with the city as a milestone
Source
“Affirmative Repositioning Khomas regional chairperson Sem David describes the agreement with the city as a milestone.”
City saves Havana family’s dream house
20 MayWindhoek Observer
Sem David welcomed the agreement to allow the family to complete the house
Source
“Windhoek-based community activist Sem David welcomed the agreement, saying the decision to allow the family to complete the house was positive.”
CoW halts Havana house demolition
19 MayWindhoek Observer
Sem David welcomed the agreement allowing the family to complete the house
Source
“Windhoek-based community activist Sem David welcomed the agreement, saying the decision to allow the family to complete the house was positive.”
CoW halts Havana house demolition
19 MayWindhoek Observer
Sem David said his engagement with the city highlighted delays in land delivery and the need to speed up the process
Source
“David said his engagement with the city was aimed at highlighting delays in land delivery and the need to speed up the process.”
CoW halts Havana house demolition
11 MayWindhoek Observer
Community activist Sem David welcomed municipality's efforts on debt relief and land swap
Source
“Community activist Sem David welcomed the municipality's efforts to work with central government on a N$716 million debt relief arrangement and land swap.”
Windhoek residents question CoW’s debt reduction
March 2026
18 MarThe Namibian
Affirmative Repositioning Khomas regional chairperson Sem David says municipality has failed residents by giving them false hopes after demarcating their plots
Source
“Affirmative Repositioning Khomas regional chairperson Sem David says the municipality has failed residents by giving them 'false' hopes after demarcating their plots.”
Family faces demolition of N$500 000 Havana house

Society

Windhoek activists challenge 4% tariff hike amid service gaps

The News

Community activists Shaun Gariseb and Sem David have questioned the City of Windhoek's 4% municipal tariff increase, arguing that residents should not pay more while informal settlements lack adequate sanitation, water, and waste services. Gariseb cited Mix Settlement's sanitation and water infrastructure shortages—including only four of six communal water taps functioning for roughly 4,000 residents—as evidence the city should improve service delivery before raising tariffs.

20 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Yesterday

Windhoek activists challenge 4% tariff hike amid service gaps
Community activists Shaun Gariseb and Sem David have questioned the City of Windhoek's 4% municipal tariff increase, arguing that residents should not pay more while informal settlements lack adequate sanitation, water, and waste services. Gariseb cited Mix Settlement's sanitation and water infrastructure shortages—including only four of six communal water taps functioning for roughly 4,000 residents—as evidence the city should improve service delivery before raising tariffs.
20 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 1 July

Windhoek residents link illegal power connections to electricity shortages
Residents and activists in Windhoek's informal settlements say the City's failure to provide adequate electricity has driven widespread illegal electricity connections, arguing that affordable legal access would reduce the practice. The municipality plans to remove illegal connections from September, while a Five-Year Electrification Plan aims to connect thousands of additional households.
1 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 26 May

Windhoek mayor's Azerbaijan trip draws scrutiny from activists
Activist Sem David has called on the City of Windhoek and Ministry of Urban and Rural Development to release full details of mayor Sackarias Uunona's trip to the World Urban Forum in Baku, Azerbaijan, questioning the purpose and cost of the visit and why technical officials were not sent instead.
26 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 20 May

City of Windhoek halts demolition of Havana family home
The City of Windhoek has agreed to stop the planned demolition of an N$500 000 unapproved home at Max Mutongolume informal settlement in Havana, following negotiations with the family that owns it. The family of 15, who have lived in the area for 18 years, requested relief from compliance directives and the city agreed to review the house for possible regularisation.
20 May 2026 · The Namibian →
City of Windhoek halts Havana house demolition after settlement
The City of Windhoek has resolved a case involving an unapproved house in Havana Informal Settlement after the homeowner requested that compliance conditions be relaxed. Under the agreement, the owner committed to residential use with limited charitable activities, and must complete specific remaining works while accepting liability for occupying the unapproved structure.
20 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 19 May

Windhoek halts Havana house demolition after owner agreement
The City of Windhoek has resolved a dispute over a house built without municipal approval in Havana Informal Settlement by revising compliance conditions after the homeowner's request. The owner committed by sworn affidavit to use the structure primarily for residential purposes with limited charitable activities, and may complete specified works including corrugated iron sheets, window glass, and floor and wall smoothing.
19 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 18 May

ECN commissioners to declare assets under proposed amendments
Proposed amendments to the Electoral Commission of Namibia Act will compel commissioners to declare their assets within 60 days of the act coming into force and thereafter annually, a move political parties say could strengthen public trust and transparency. Commissioners must submit declarations to the speaker of the National Assembly, with failure to comply constituting grounds for misconduct.
18 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 11 May

City of Windhoek reports debt reduction amid service criticism
The City of Windhoek announced a reduction in debt from N$888 million to N$869 million, but residents criticized the municipality for spending heavily on salaries while service delivery remains poor, citing issues with waste collection and road repairs.
11 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 18 March

Windhoek family faces demolition of N$500,000 informal home
A 15-member family in Havana informal settlement faces demolition of a partially-built house they invested N$500,000 in, after the City of Windhoek says it was constructed without proper municipal approval. The family claims they believed they could build after the land was demarcated in October, but the municipality says demarcation does not constitute a permit, and calls on them to demolish the illegal structure.
18 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 28 January

Education ministry struggles to place over 1,000 pupils in schools
The Namibian education ministry is struggling to place over 1,000 pupils in schools nationally due to rapid population growth and a shortage of classrooms, with children sitting at home weeks into the academic year, particularly in densely populated regions like Khomas. The ministry says it is repurposing existing facilities and will ensure all pupils receive access to education, though officials acknowledge the classroom backlog is a recurring challenge that has not kept pace with population growth.
28 January 2026 · The Namibian →